ITO Kayoko
   Department   Hiroshima shudo University  The Faculty of Global and Community Studies
   Position   Lecturer
Language Japanese
Publication Date 2026/02
Type Articles
Title The Effects of Explanation Activities Using Japanese as a Lingua Franca in International Co-learning: A Comparison between Japanese and International Students
Contribution Type Single-Authored Publication
Journal Studies in The Humanities and Sciences
Journal TypeJapan
Publisher Hiroshima Shudo University
Volume, Issue, Pages Vol. LXⅥ(No. 2),39-51頁
Number of pages 12
Details This study investigates how explanation activities using Japanese as a lingua franca (JLF) influence Japanese and international students in multicultural co-learning settings. Students completed JLF-based group projects with explanatory tasks, followed by questionnaires and reflection reports. Quantitative results showed a positive correlation between task difficulty—especially in group discussions—and learning outcomes, suggesting that cognitively demanding explanation activities deepen understanding. Qualitative analyses indicated that Japanese students shifted toward more audience-oriented Japanese, while international students became more aware of linguistic and cultural differences in explanation strategies. Both groups showed increased metacognitive awareness and improved intercultural communicative competence. These findings underscore the pedagogical value of integrating explanation activities into JLF-based collaborative learning.