A quantitative analysis on the correlation between the embodiment principles and the development of metalinguistic ability in foreign language acquisition

Cognitive Linguistic Typology is a theoretical linguistics field through which understanding of the relationship between language and culture across different linguistic communities can be expanded. It can also play an important role in foreign language education and reducing educational disparities. Professor Ken-ichiro Nakano is an expert in this field. He is leading two related research projects: ‘The development, implementation, and demonstration research on an elementary English teaching material applying the language acquisition principles from Cognitive Linguistics’ and ‘A quantitative analysis research on the correlation between the embodiment principles and the development of metalinguistic ability in foreign language acquisition’. Both research projects have been embodied in two computer programs for academic advancement and social relevance. Specifically, principles of the mother tongue acquisition process and metalinguistic competence development have been realised as two computer programs, so that the public dissemination of academic research findings has become close at hand. The acquisition processes of the mother tongue with physical activities have been applied to the first foreign language learning computer program called ‘Teacher Owl’ (Fukurou Sensei in Japanese), and it enables learners to acquire the relationships between foreign language’s meanings and linguistic forms without interference from their native language. Learners’ metalinguistic competence development has been applied to the second foreign language learning computer program called ‘Tutorial System: English Grammar and Speech’, and it enables learners to internalise their English grammatical knowledge through speech activities.