Use of Communication Tools among Japanese Learners

Abstract

Individuals use a variety of communication tools in their day-to-day life, where these means of communication via networks is widespread. Communication tools such as networks and applications are used to convey emotions, feelings, and information. There is an inextricable interrelationship between communication tools and language. As language is created by people, it does not exist in isolation or outside the minds of people. Language is a system of words and sounds to communicate ideas in a meaningful way. The act of communication is composed of two main types namely, verbal communication and non-verbal communication. This research study seeks to examine the impact of verbal communication and communication tools on language learning. Communication tools play an important role in improving language learning. This study aims to investigate whether communication tools can be effectively used to enhance Japanese language proficiency of learners. Communication tools can be influential in supporting the acquisition of any language. While prior studies depict the use of pictograms by Sri Lankan university students who use SNS, but there seems to be a dearth of research focusing on improving Japanese proficiency with the use of communication tools. This study has been conducted via a survey of fifty students pursuing both General and Special degree programmes in the Levels I, II and III of the University of Kelaniya. The results of the survey revealed that many of its participants used communication tools via network, that has fostered a development in the reading and writing proficiency in Japanese. Furthermore, the results of the research study outline two important factors that affect student’s learning processes in the use of each communication tool. In addition, communication tools have shown to improve learning skills, reading speed, comprehension speed as well as typing skills.