Self-Introduction Focusing on Learners’ Japanese Learning Plan in Relation to Their Life Plan:

Aiming to Raise Awareness of Learning Targets in Pre-Advanced Learners

Abstract

We asked learners in an pre-advanced Japanese conversation class to introduced themselves with a focus on their "life plan and learning Japanese" as an orientation activity. The aim was to raise awareness of learning targets through planning of Japanese learning in relation to life plans. In the class, learners introduced themselves using a picture they had drawn depicting how learning Japanese is positioned at different life stages. Categorization of the self-introduction contents revealed that some learners were able to present a learning plan that was well incorporated into their life plan, but most learners presented a learning plan that was not well focused or not closely related to their life plan.