<p> Communication is a key component in learning a second language (L2). As important as the <i>ability</i> to communicate in the L2 is the <i> willingness</i> to use the L2 or, what has been identified in the literature as <i>Willingness to Communicate</i> (WTC). Language is best learned when situated in, and based on, real-life experiences. Technological tools such as virtual worlds, mobile devices, and augmented reality (AR) are increasingly used to take language learning outside of the classroom. The affordances (e.g., portability, engagement, context-sensitivity) of these tools may have an impact on the following WTC antecedents: perceived competence, reduced L2 anxiety, security, excitement, and responsibility. The nature of this impact suggests that an AR mobile game may positively affect students' WTC. The purpose of this case study was to examine student perceptions regarding the use and design qualities of an AR mobile game in the language learning process and the effect of these qualities on student perceptions of their WTC. Nine students in a second-year Japanese language class at an institute of higher education in California participated in the study by playing an AR mobile game for three weeks. Data were collected through a demographic survey, game-play observations, game artifacts in the form of images and audio, game log data, and interviews. Findings suggest that AR mobile games can provide a viable means to take language learning outside the classroom and into self-selected spaces to affect positively students' WTC. From this investigation, it is evident that AR mobile language learning games can: (a) extend learning outside the classroom, (b) reduce L2 anxiety, and (c) promote personalized learning.</p>

Owing to immigration and natural growth, there has been a significant increase in Chinese children in English-speaking societies. When these children are brought up and educated in Britain and the USA, Chinese parents are quite anxious that their children should maintain the Chinese identity and some traditional cultural values through the learning of the Chinese language. In order to satisfy Chinese parents' aspirations, there has been a growth of Chinese supplementary schools within the Chinese communities in both Britain and the USA. To respond to the 1977 EEC (European Economic Community) Directive which requires the teaching of the official language(s) of the host country and the mother tongue/culture of the migrant/ immigrant children in schools of the member states, some British state schools in London have made Chinese language education available during or after school hours since the early 1980s. Despite the provision of Chinese language education by the voluntary and maintained sectors, problems of underachievement at school and cultural adjustment of some Chinese children remain unsolved and ignored. The intent of the thesis is to investigate some of these problems of the Chinese pupils in British schools and see the extent to which that education provision within the Chinese community and the maintained sector has met the needs of Chinese pupils and the aspirations of Chinese parents in Britain. i Similar education provision is also found in San Francisco and New York City. The two American cities are therefore chosen for the comparative study to see how far that some of the American bilingualbicultural education policies can be successfully incorporated into the British (London) system to improve the education of Chinese pupils.

Thesis (M.A.). / Written for the Dept. of Second Language Education. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/08/07). Includes bibliographical references.

Research paper (M.A.) -- Cardinal Stritch College -- Milwaukee, 1971. / A research paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Education (Reading Specialist). Includes bibliographical references (p. 42-49).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-226). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis--Oslo. / Thesis statement from slip inserted. Includes index. Bibliography: p. [333]-337.

Thesis--Oslo. / Thesis statement from slip inserted. Includes index. Bibliography: p. [333]-337.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-67).

Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-226). Also available on the Internet.