English Acquisition through NNS-NNS Interaction in EFL Context: Focused on the Distance Learning between Japan and Korea

English Acquisition through NNS-NNS Interaction in EFL Context: Focused on the Distance Learning between Japan and Korea

  This paper aims to prove that the interactions between non-native speakers in EFL context are very effective in English acquisition. The purposes of this study can be summarized as follows: 1) to recognize the importance of English as an International Language (EIL) and the concept of World English, 2) to develop the best way to help English learners to acquire English as a foreign language in the countries of expanding circle, 3) to devise a model of international distance learning and adapt it to the English learning environments of Japan and Korea, 4) to prove the interactions between non-native speakers in EFL context are very effective in English acquisition. For these purposes, this study focused on the distance learning between the university students from Korea and Japan, and analyzed the results of the qualitative and quantitative research surveys from the students who participated in this distance learning. For this study, a new model of distance learning between Korea and Japan, NWCCDLP (Namseoul - Waseda Cross-Cultural Distance Learning Project) was devised, and the data of NWCCDLP from 2005 to 2007 were collected and analyzed. The results suggest that the NNS-NNS interaction is very effective in motivating Korean learners of English to use and practice English in EFL context.