Going Green: Can It Help Foreign Language Learning, Too?

• Other Authors: Nishimata, Takayuki (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Education
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2587

This study explored the effects of having Japanese classes in an outdoor environment on foreign language anxiety. A total of 28 students learning Japanese as a foreign language in the two third-semester Japanese courses offered in the fall semester of 2007 in an American university in the Southeast. The teacher of the two courses participated as well. In order to measure the change in levels of anxiety over the semester, all participants were asked to complete the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale at the beginning and near the end of the semester. Also, in order for researchers to understand the change in anxiety, they were asked to write three journals and six participants were interviewed. In addition, the researcher observed a total of 12 class sessions to record anxious behaviors. The participants in the first section (the regular classroom group) had all classes in their regular classroom, while those in the second section (the green outdoor group) had a total of five classes in an outdoor location on campus with a tree and grass. Results show that the students who had five classes in the green outdoor environment experienced a decrease in anxiety, while the students who had all classes in the regular classroom experienced an increase in anxiety. The outdoor setting may have additionally enhanced students' attention, concentration, and participation. The teacher also acknowledged that the green outdoor group appeared to be relaxed and started to utilize the elements in the outdoor location for teaching. Potential benefits of teaching languages in the outdoor location are discussed. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Middle and Secondary Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Spring Semester, 2008. === March 7, 2008. === Anxiety Physical Environment Japanese === Includes bibliographical references. === Deborah Hasson, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Diana Rice, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Yoshihiro Yasuhara, Outside Committee Member; King Beach, Committee Member.