Exploring Taiwanese college students’ perceptions of text-based, computermediated communication technology in learning Japanese as a foreign language

Abstract

The use of computers as an educational tool has become very popular in the context of language teaching and learning. Research into computer mediated communication (cmc) in a Japanese as a foreign language (jfl) learning and teaching context can take advantage of various pedagogical possibilities, just as in the English classroom. This study investigates the perceptions of cmc tools held by jfl students in Taiwan. It also examines utterance length and a feature of their online writing, the use of final particles in Japanese. The overall results indicate that the use of text-based cmc tools has positive effects, and is also perceived positively by the jfl learners. The pedagogical implications are that cmc tools can be especially beneficial when integrated within an instructionally-oriented jfl course.