At the School of Languages and Communication (SOLAC), our faculty members lead a number of research units, groups, and projects in foreign language education and related fields. Working together with researchers, graduate students, and partner institutions in Japan and abroad, we pursue a wide range of research activities. The following list introduces the research units, groups, and projects currently hosted by the Center.

SOLAC Research Units (AY 2026)

• Corpus Linguistics Research Unit コーパス言語学研究ユニット

  Unit DirectorISHIKAWA Shin'ichiro

  Graduate Students【D】IIJIMA Masayuki, LIAN Zeqi　【M】FU Gang, MASUDA Takumi, LI Hongyu, FURUMOTO Anna, HARA Risako, SU Kaiyong

  Overview

  Corpus linguistics, learner corpus research, statistical linguistics, and application of these approaches to the advancement of research in language studies, language acquisition studies, foreign language education studies, and instructional design.

• Anchor Group for Second Language Interaction (AGSLI) 第２言語インターアクション中核研究グループ

  Group LeaderTim Greer

  Research CollaboratorChiekhna Amar (Qatar University)

  Visiting ResearchersAdam Brandt (Newcastle University, UK); Amanda Hoskins (Linköping University)

  Graduate StudentsDavid Shimamoto, Intan Ajgurydub, Zilong Li

  Overview

  This group investigates Pragmatics and Conversation Analysis, and the application of these approaches to research into foreign language education, second language interaction/use, and experiential language learning.

  Activities

  We hold regular data sessions and symposia, and present the results of our research locally and internationally.

• Research Unit for Second Language Processing & Pedagogy (SLPP) 第二言語の処理と教育研究ユニット

  Project

  L2-PCI Project｜Cognitive Mechanisms of the L2 Production-Comprehension Interface

  Members

  Unit LeaderYOKOKAWA Hirokazu (Kobe University) — Psycholinguistics / English Language Education

  CollaboratorsHAMADA Mayu (Kobe University) — Psycholinguistics / Foreign Language Education / Second Language Acquisition

  NARUMI Tomoyuki (Hyogo University of Teacher Education) — English Language Education / Psycholinguistics / Second Language Acquisition

  HIRANO Ayako (Kyoto Sangyo University) — International Cooperation / Second Language Acquisition / English Language Education / Psycholinguistics

  NAKAGAWA Eri (Shizuoka University) — Foreign Language Education / Neuroscience / Psycholinguistics

  TANAKA Hiroki (International Christian University) — Information & Communications / Intelligent Informatics

• Research Unit on Multilingual Writing マルチリンガルライティング研究ユニット

  Lead ResearcherSachiko Yasuda, PhD

  Overview

  Dedicated to research on multilingual writing, this unit explores how individuals develop their writing skills in more than one language, aiming to advance our understanding of the relationship between writers’ linguistic choices (e.g., syntactic maturity, cohesive features, and genre-specific features) and overall writing quality. This unit ultimately seeks to translate empirical findings into effective pedagogical practices for multilingual writers.

• Research Unit for French Language Acquisition (RUFLA) フランス語習得研究ユニット

  Group LeadersHIROTA Daichi / Christophe Garrabet

  CollaboratorsDetermined by project

• Research Unit on Motivation and Learning Experience in Problem-Based International Collaborative Learning 国際共修における動機づけと学習経験研究ユニット

  Principal InvestigatorKIHARA Emiko

  Domestic CollaboratorMarian Wang (Konan University, Professor)

  Overseas CollaboratorTzu-Ming Jao (National Taiwan University, Assistant Professor)

  ContributorYi-Hung Chen (National Taiwan University, Staff)

• Research Unit for Historical Studies of Phonology and Grammar in Early Modern Chinese 近世中国語音韻・文法の歴史的研究ユニット

  Unit DirectorCHEN Xiao

  Overview

  This unit investigates the characteristics of Early Modern Chinese, with particular focus on Northern dialects and Peking dialect from the eighteenth century to the first half of the twentieth century. It involves the survey, collection, organization, and annotation of Manchu-Chinese bilingual conversation books from the period, as well as Chinese language textbooks compiled in Japan during the Meiji era and those produced by Western scholars. Using the organized materials, the study analyzes the phonology and grammar of Northern dialects and Peking dialect and examines their historical development and changes over time.

• Research Unit for English and American Literature 英米文学研究ユニット

  LeadSHIMAZU Atsuhisa

• Ab Initio Foreign Language Teaching Materials R&D Unit 未習教材研究開発ユニット

  Group LeaderTAKAHASHI Yasunori

  SOLAC MembersYASUDA Rei, CHEN Xiao, SERIZAWA Madoka, Björn Kasper

• Phonetics and Phonology Research Unit 音声・音韻基盤研究ユニット

  Unit DirectorYASUDA Rei

  MembersTAKAHASHI Yasunori, CHEN Kaiqiao (Promis Researcher), SUN Jing (Konan University, Foreign Specially Appointed Researcher), WANG Kexin (Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor)

  Graduate StudentKE Yiting

• Language Education, Policy, & Leadership Initiative (LEPLI) 言語教育・政策・リーダーシップ研究イニシアティブ

  Group LeaderBradley Colpitts

  CollaboratorsMichael Smith (Kobe University); Oliver Cakebread (Kwansei Gakuin University)

  Overview

  Examining language education at a macro- and meso-level, exploring how policy and leadership initiatives intersect with and influence classroom pedagogy and practice.

  Activities

  We collaboratively pursue joint research, presenting our findings domestically and internationally, while pursuing competitive grant funding opportunities.

• Research Unit for Foreign Language Educational Technology 外国語教育工学研究ユニット

  Group LeaderKASHIWAGI Harumi

  Co-ResearcherKANG Min (Graduate School of Intercultural Studies)

  CollaboratorsDetermined by project

• Conversational AI and Second Language Interaction Project 会話型AIと言語相互行為研究プロジェクト

  MembersTim Greer, Takeshi Sato

  External CollaboratorsAdam Brandt (Newcastle University, UK), Spencer Hazel (Newcastle University, UK)

  Overview

  This project investigates how second language learners interact with conversational AI agents, with particular attention to interactional organization, learning opportunities, and implications for language education and assessment. Drawing on Conversation Analysis and human–AI interaction research, the project combines empirical analysis of learner–AI interaction with the iterative design of conversational agents for educational use. Findings will contribute to theoretical understanding of human–AI communication and to the development of effective AI-supported language learning practices.

Publication of the SOLAC Journal