Research Project Plan

Thesis

Title: Activating student motivation, autonomy and curiosity via action research

  1. Research Objectives: By implementing the principles of action research, this project will
    • Explore and understand my students' environment and identify their problems or difficulties in studying English, especially in relation to motivation and development of autonomy.
    • Plan a systematic way to study and define the problems
    • Collect pertinent data at regular intervals in order to build up a fuller understanding of the problems
    • Analyze the data collected and in so doing reflect on how it should be interpreted (what it means)
    • Hypothesize or speculate possible outcomes based on possible actions
    • Intervene in the situation (take action based on the previous phases to improve the situation/solve the problem)
    • Observe the results of the intervention
    • Reflect on the entire process
  2. Research Plan:
    • Phase 1:
      • Questionnaire 1 (based on Benesse Corp questionnaire) in March for 280 students. Multiple choice, closed choice format
      • Objective: To understand students' environment and problems in studying English.
    • Phase 2:
      • Questionnaire 2 (Student feedback and evaluation) in March for 80 students who took my English I lesson in the first grade. Short answer, open response format.
      • Objective: To collect students' impressions regarding my teaching style in English I.
    • Phase 3:
      • Teaching style and task adjustment
      • Objective: To collect, arrange and adapt tasks and teaching methods to be used in English II in the first term of the second grade, based on the result of the questionnaires.
    • Phase 4:
      • a) Questionnaire 3 (based on the attitude questionnaire by Laramie) will be conducted early in April with students who are enrolled in my English II lesson in the second grade. Likert scale format.
      • Objective: To determine the status quo of the students in terms of their general perceptions and attitudes toward studying English.
      • b) video-taping of lessons for later analysis
    • Phase 5:
      • a) Questionnaire 4 (Student feedback and evaluation) in May for students taking my English II lesson in the second grade.
      • Objective: To get an idea of student reactions to tasks and teaching methods at the mid-way point in the course. The main focus will be on students' perceived difficulties in the lesson and will be cross-referenced with my on-going reflective teaching journal entries. I will modify the tasks, methods and schedule if necessary.
      • b) video-taping of lessons for later analysis
    • Phase 6:
      • Questionnaire 5 (repeat of attitude questionnaire and student feedback/evaluation) in July.
      • Objective: To see what kinds of change (if any) have occurred regarding my students' impressions about studying English.
    • Phase 7:
      • Data analysis, interpretation and explanation of results, reflection on the process leading to thesis writing.
  3. Research Method:
    • Initially I will give two questionnaires to students in the second grade in order to identify and define the difficulties they have studying English in general and in relation to my way of teaching in this school year. Based on the survey results, I will customize the tasks and lesson plans for English II in the first semester of the new school year. I will ask for feedback from the students at regular intervals. At the same time, I would like to reflect on my lessons through a reflective journal and through review and analysis of videotaped moments in the lessons.
  4. Data Resources:
    • Benesse questionnaire
    • Laramie attitude questionnaire
    • Student feedback/lesson evaluations
    • Video taped observations
    • Reflective journal
  5. References:
      • Burns, A. (1999). Collaborative action research for English language teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
      • Laramie, Judith M. (2005). Evaluating Change in English Language Teaching. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
      • 英文和訳から直読直解への指導―明日から使える教室技術 研究社出版 (1996/07) 作者：斎藤栄二
      • 高校英語教育を変える和訳先渡し授業の試み 三省堂 (2004/08) 作者： 金谷憲 高知県高校授業研究プロジェクトチーム
      • より良い英語授業を目指して―教師の疑問と悩みにこたえる 大修館書店 (2000/04) 作者： 斎藤栄二 鈴木寿一
      • これだけは知っておきたい英語授業レベルアップの基礎 大修館書店 (1996/03) 作者： 斎藤栄二
  6. Project Advisor:
  7. Personal Reader's Name: