ジョウ チョウキュウ ニホンゴ ガクシュウシャ ニオケル ハツワブンセキ ハツワ ナイヨウ リョウイキ トノ カカワリ カラ

本研究は、上・超級日本語学習者の発話の特徴を明らかにすることを目指し、ACTFL (全米外国語教育協会)から日本語の OPI テスト(口頭面接テスト)のテスター認定を受けた試験官が行なったものである。OPI テストの録音テープから、超級、上級の上・中・下の各々の典型的なものを選んで分析対象とし、母語話者とも比較した。まず、話題の種類と述べ方から発話内容領域という概念を設け、それを3つの領域---I.身近な具体的事実を直接的に言う、II.個人的一般的関心事の具体的事実を詳述する、III.抽象的内容を論じる--- に分けた。各被験者の発話について、この発話内容領域を軸として、試験官の要求への対応・発話の構成・談話の形・文法能力(語彙の広がり、誤用、言い直し、接続表現)を分析した結果、上・超級話者の各レベルの発話の特徴を具体的に示した。また、上級から超級への移行の過程が明らかになった。全分析項目において、なだらかな発達がみられるわけではなく、発話の構成・抽象的表現の使用・言い直し・接続表現・誤用などの項目では、上級と超級で大きい違いがみられた。また、発話内容領域によっても、レベル差が大きく現れる項目が異なっていた。これらの結果から、いくつかの分析項目では、ACTFL-OPI の基準で示されているレベル変化とは異なる、大きく変化する段階があることも分かった。さらに今回行なった母語話者との比較から、超級話者のほうが母語話者より論理的に話したり、和語を多く使用することが認められた。This research was conducted by a group of Japanese-language Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) testers certified by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The purpose of the research is to clarify major characteristics of advanced- and superior-level non-native speakers. This research began by selecting tapes that represent typical lower advanced, middle advanced, upper advanced, and superior speech for detailed analysis. Tapes of Japanese native speakers were also selected and included for comparison. This article first categorizes the topics or themes of conversation into three fields: (1) predictable, familiar topics; (2) topics of personal general interest; and (3) wide range of general-interest topics. Second, in relation to these categorized content fields, this research explains the discourse structure, the rate of success in structuring an extended discourse and a paragraph, the variety of conjunctions, kango, and wago used,idiomatic expressions and onomatopoeic words used, and the number and the types of self-corrections. The result of this research shows a clear picture of major characteristics of advanced and superior-level speakers. It also suggests the feature of the progress from advanced to superior levels. Distinct difference was observed between advanced and superior level speakers in discourse structure, usage of abstract expressions, self-corrections, usage of conjunctions, and grammatical mistakes. In case of accomplishments of the tasks and the text types in treating the second field theme, clear difference was observed between advanced-low and advanced-mid speakers. Whereas in case of the text types in treating the third field theme, there was a clear distinction between advanced-mid and advanced-high speakers. The above results suggest the existence of some other levels than the one described in OPI criteria

A Comparative Study of Urban Air Quality in Megacities in Mexico and Japan: Based on Japan-Mexico Joint Research Project on Formation Mechanism of Ozone, VOCs and PM2.5, and Proposal of Countermeasure Scenario

Photochemical ozone and black carbon are key substances both for regional air pollution and global climate change. These two pollutants are so-called SLCPs (Short-Lived Climate Pollutants). International comparison studies among megacities with widely different conditions are effective in clarifying the formation mechanisms of SLCPs. A comparison study in megacity areas of Japan and Mexico mainly focusing on ozone, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and PM2.5 was conducted based on air pollution trend analysis and field measurements including vertical soundings of ozone and meteorological parameters. In this study, co-beneficial countermeasure scenarios based upon the obtained scientific data has been proposed. Photochemical ozone, EC (elemental carbon; a major SLCP), and NOx (nitrogen oxides) and VOCs (NOx and VOCs are implicit SLCPs) need to be controlled to improve the regional and global atmospher ic environment. In Japan, countermeasures including the whole Asian area will be necessary because there is considerable contribution from trans-boundary air pollution. In Mexico, regulation of VOCs including energy shift and diesel exhaust gas control will be effective. These findings will be utilized to formulate and/or evaluate ProAire (Program for Air Quality Improvement) for the three studied megacity areas of Mexico

Promoting fertility awareness and preconception health using a chatbot: a randomized controlled trial

Research question What are the effects of using a fertility education chatbot, i.e. automatic conversation programme, on knowledge, intentions to improve preconception behaviour and anxiety? Design A three-armed, randomized controlled trial was conducted using an online social research panel. Participants included 927 women aged 20–34 years who were randomly allocated to one of three groups: a fertility education chatbot (intervention group), a document about fertility and preconception health (control group 1) or a document about an irrelevant topic (control group 2). Participants’ scores on the Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, their intentions to optimize preconception behaviours, e.g. taking folic acid, and the free-text feedback provided by chatbot users were assessed. Results A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant fertility knowledge gains after the intervention in the intervention group (+9.1 points) and control group 1 (+14.9 points) but no significant change in control group 2 (+1.1 points). Post-test increases in the intentions to optimize behaviours were significantly higher in the intervention group than in control group 2, and were similar to those in control group 1. Post-test state anxiety scores were significantly lower in the intervention group than in control group 1 and control group 2. User feedbacks about the chatbot suggested technical limitations, e.g. low comprehension of users’ words, and pros and cons of using the chatbot, e.g. convenient versus coldness. Conclusions Providing fertility education using a chatbot improved fertility knowledge and intentions to optimize preconception behaviour without increasing anxiety, but the improvement in knowledge was small. Further technical development and exploration of personal affinity for technology is required