A Pre-Telecollaboration Training Course for Japanese EFL Learners

This chapter aims to explore the effectiveness of a newly designed pre-telecollaboration training course in helping Japanese EFL learners improve their speaking skills and enhancing their learner agency. A pre-telecollaboration training framework was constructed and implemented using an original audience design to increase effectiveness. As the course progressed, the number and type of audiences were expanded. To effectively integrate the framework into the course, a reflection activity was conducted. The analyses of scores on the versant speaking test and the results of questionnaires using the foreign language classroom anxiety, willingness to communicate, and shyness scales revealed that students' speaking skills in English improved, their foreign language anxiety was alleviated, and their willingness to communicate improved. Furthermore, monitoring results of the students by the teacher in charge indicated that their attitude toward participating in the course became more positive than before.