神戸大学大学教育推進機構国際コミュニケーションセンター | School of Languages and Communication, Kobe University, Japan

About Center

Harumi Kashiwagi

From the Dean

Harumi Kashiwagi Dean

Our center has undertaken a variety of initiatives over the years, including the development of a university-wide foreign language education curriculum that fosters advanced, diverse foreign language skills to support students’ autonomous language learning beyond the classroom. In particular, we have devised a four-year system that can provide comprehensive classes including the introduction of advanced subjects and foreign language seminars.
Adopted in 2005 as a MEXT Contemporary GP Project, the center developed its “Special Program for Developing Presentation Abilities in Foreign Languages” as an innovative educational program to nurture university students’ English and critical thinking skills. SOLAC later also implemented the “Global English Course (GEC)” as part of MEXT’s Global Human Resources Development Promotion Project.

In FY2018, as part of improving the environment for active learning throughout the university, the existing CALL classrooms were converted to “active learning labs” and “interactive learning labs”. With the aim of utilizing the learning support system called Kobe University LMS BEEF in foreign language classes, we have also created a collection of examples of foreign language classes that showcase the use of these labs.

I trust that these activities can contribute to the development of tertiary students who can make actively use foreign languages.

Harumi Kashiwagi

About SOLAC

As part of Kobe University’s Institute for Promotion of Higher Education, SOLAC is the organization that conducts research, and planning for foreign language education throughout the university.

It plays a central role in enhancing foreign language education in both the undergraduate and graduate programs of Kobe University and in planning other special university-wide programs.

2003: Established as the School of Language and Communication
2015: Integrated within Kobe University’s Institute for Promotion of Higher Education

Purpose

SOLAC’s aim is to contribute to the enhancement and development of our foreign language education. The organization plans, manages, and implements research related to foreign language education as stipulated in Article 26, Paragraph 1 of the Kobe University Academic Regulations, and provides foreign language education support for international academic exchange and study abroad. Based on Article 3-2 of the University Education Promotion Organization Regulations, SOLAC is charged with;

Research on foreign languages
Research, investigation and planning concerning foreign language education for the entire university
Maintenance of the foreign language education environment
Support for foreign language education
Other matters necessary to carry out the operations of the center

Structure of the Department

SOLAC is made up of four research divisions.

System Research Division

Members: Atsuhisa Shimazu, Daichi Hirota, Hirokazu Yokogawa, Madoka Serizawa

This group conducts research on educational support systems, such as students’ proficiency levels, aptitude, educational goals according to needs, curriculum creation, and class formation according to standardized testing:

Research and development of the organization of foreign language courses and curriculum
Research and development of educational systems such as teaching methods and ability-based classes
Setting educational goals and planning foreign language performance evaluation methods
Investigations into the application of educational technology and evaluation of foreign language teaching methods

Contents Research Division

Members: Shinichiro Ishikawa, Chunyue Zhu,Rei Yasuda

This group conducts research on the development of comprehensive communication skills that balance the four communicative skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), as well as teaching methods and materials in line with language education:

Research and development of teaching methods and teaching materials in line with English education
Research and development of teaching methods and teaching materials suitable for German language education
Research and development of teaching methods of the four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
Planning teaching materials for English education

Media Research Division

Members: Harumi Kashiwagi, Kazuhito Yamato, Sachiko Yasuda,Mayu Hamada

Research and development on the introduction and efficient use of multimedia educational equipment using the Internet, such as information equipment and E-learning

Introduction and operation management of IL & AL classrooms
Research and development on the construction of an effective environment for E-learning
Back up self-study support system

Academic Exchange Research Division

Members: Tim Greer, Emiko Kihara, Yasunori Takahashi

Research and support of foreign language operation methods for faculty members and dispatched international students

Educational research on intercultural communication using foreign languages
Educational research on foreign language examinations
Educational support for foreign language presentations and discussion formats and methods