紀要論文

紀要論文

text

外国語教育のフロンティア. 2026, 9, p. 99-108

英語

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2026-03-31

論文

This study examines how Japanese university students choose topics for academic presentations in English-medium courses. Using a simple mixed-methods design, this research conducted a survey of Japanese undergraduates (n=21) and a follow-up semi-structured interviews with the same group. The analysis focuses on the ways linguistic confidence, cultural background, course expectations, and personal interest interact when students narrow down a presentation topic. The results indicate that students’ decisions are influenced by a combination of cultural familiarity, language difficulty, and a preference for topics that feel socially “safe” within a Japanese classroom atmosphere. Many students described that some of their concerns include choosing their own interest over more globally oriented topics, dilemma about speaking in English, and getting too much attention from peers. Across interviews, students repeatedly highlighted two factors: the desire to challenge themselves academically and the need to feel comfortable presenting in English. Cultural expectations related to group harmony and public perception were frequently mentioned as factors shaping their final choices. The findings suggest that instructors can better support students by offering structured guidance on selecting topics, adjusting linguistic demands, and creating a classroom atmosphere where trying new topics does not feel scary or uncomfortable. This research contributes to the growing body of work on intercultural communication and strategies for foreign language teaching in Japan.

10.18910/104368

104368

Language, Culture, and Choice : An Investigation of Topic Selection among Japanese University Students in Academic Presentation Courses

Belarga, Oliver

大阪大学大学院人文学研究科

英語

2026-03-31

外国語教育のフロンティア

9

99

108

https://hdl.handle.net/11094/104368

10.18910/104368

https://doi.org/10.18910/104368