The Effects of Workshops on International Orientation and Self-Other Understanding: Attempts at CEFR A2 Level Classes in a Japanese Music College

2024-01-19T12:24:44+00:00

This study evaluates the effectiveness of workshops within English classes for Japanese music college students. The objective is to enhance the international orientation of music students and to foster intercultural understanding, as well as self- and other-understanding. The participants were 42 second-year students classified as “false beginners” at the CEFR A2 level of English proficiency. These students had limited basic English abilities and little practical use experience, with a background of low motivation for learning English. The study, designed as an alternative to traditional English remedial education, involved eight workshop-based lessons over one year. The post-workshop survey revealed that students recognized the importance of the workshops, gained a deeper understanding of internationality, and improved their communication skills and self-other understanding. However, limitations of the study include its focus on a small group of music students, reliance on self-reported data, and the absence of long-term follow-up. These factors hinder the generalization of the results and assessment of long-term effects. Future improvements and effective implementation of workshop-based programs are anticipated to address these limitations.

Prosocial Behaviour Towards Victims of Road Accidents: Examining Personality, Gender and Traumatic Experience

2023-04-09T16:20:27+00:00

As Ebonyi State develops into a city with the attendant population growth and increasing motor traffic, the category of residents that can form part of the road safety network should be of great concern. The study investigated the strengths of personality, gender and traumatic experience as predictors of prosocial behaviour among motorists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. One hundred and ninety-nine (199) road users in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, participated in the study. Participants were randomly drawn using a convenient sampling technique in a cross-sectional survey design. The Big-Five Personality Inventory, the Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ), and the Self-Report Altruism Scale were used for data collection. Data analysis using the multiple regression analysis revealed that some dimensions of personality (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience) were positively related to prosocial behaviour; gender was not significantly associated with prosocial behaviour and traumatic stress experience especially and positively predicted prosocial behaviour. The study observed that personality trait is the most significant predictor of prosocial behaviour toward road accident victims. Based on the theory of empathic altruism, we recommend aggressive and widespread education on road safety measures for all ages and establishing a civilian road safety network to complement the efforts of FRSC in Ebonyi State.

Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies

The Effects of Workshops on International Orientation and Self-Other Understanding: Attempts at CEFR A2 Level Classes in a Japanese Music College

Prosocial Behaviour Towards Victims of Road Accidents: Examining Personality, Gender and Traumatic Experience