The theme of the 6th Disciplinary Linkage Project Seminar was “Reconsideration of research methodologies in language development,” focusing on the issue of international disparities in the area of language development. The public seminar discussed empirical research approaches concerning children’s language acquisition and the issue of disparities.

　First, Prof. Uchida of Ochanomizu University provided a report on empirical research methods in language acquisition through a comparison of Japanese and Chinese research, by using clinical interviews, teaching experiment paradigm and puppet paradigm. She was able to deepen understanding of research methodologies. Next, Dr. Lee gave a presentation on approaches to studying second language acquisition based on examples of research in Japanese-Chinese bilingualism in both countries. She presented the current conditions and issues concerning the disparity in nurturing and educating children from international marriage families in multilingual and multicultural Taiwanese society.


























　The speakers presented a wide range of content, from basic science to applications. The conference drew many participants from both inside and outside the university, who held active discussions, making this conference a successful event. (16. Jun. 2010 ）

The topic of the 3rd seminar on Multivariate Analysis Method for Developmental Studies was “Latent Class Analysis”. In the first part of the seminar, the overview and example of the analysis were presented. The second part of the seminar, the journal article using this analysis was introduced. Many participants commented that the seminar was very informative for their research. (13. May 2010）

The 2009 Grant-in-Aid　Research Awards Report Meeting was held by the Global COE Education Program Committee on April 12, 2010 (Monday), from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

At this meeting, out of 19 researchers selected through a public call for research in 2009, 15 presented research results (4 researchers were unable to attend). Each presentation at the Research Meeting lasted for 10 minutes, but including the Q&A sessions every four presentations.















　There were many extremely interesting reports, including research for which the results will continue to become apparent over the long term, making this an extremely meaningful research exchange. Following these presentations, the researchers will submit their research results to be included in a “Proceedings: Grant-In-Aid Research Awards” (or an academic journal).
















*Materials distributed at the Meeting can be viewed at the Global COE Secretariat.

On March 11 (Thursday), 2010, the Global COE Program of Ochanomizu University hosted a Research Report Meeting report on the research activities of GCOE Designated Professors (11 in total; two were absent on business trip and child-care leave) during the current year.The detailed reports covered not only the research achievements of each researcher, but also past results and the status of progress, including educational and social activities inside and outside the university, as well as issues for the future. Each report lasted for 10-15 minutes.

This Report Meeting was positioned as a venue for reporting on the results of GCOE activities. It was open to research assistants and persons selected to the GCOE through public calls, as well as a broad segment of the public at large.
These Designated Professors have specialties in a variety of fields, and this Meeting provided a valuable opportunity for participants and reporters alike to interact and exchange opinions with persons from different academic circles. These research activities are introduced in more detail in the GCOE Proceedings 10 (Seminars&Symposia, March 2010).

　The 2nd Research Assistant (RA) Working Report Meeting was held by the Global COE Education Program Committee on February 12, 2010 (Friday), from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
This time, D1, some D2 and the absent from the 1st meeting (except those who were selected as the 2009 Grand-in-aid researches) gave reports, and D2 and higher RAs gave comments (10 minutes for reports; 3 minutes for comments and 2 minutes for Q&As).

The RAs giving reports were asked to report on both research completed over the past year, and details of research currently underway. Commentators were selected from fields that differed from those of the reporters (education, psychology, and sociology) .

The participants mutually evaluated their presentation methods and communication skills as well as their comments, which was a good opportunities for them to learn effective and impressive way of a research presentation.

*Materials distributed at the Meeting can be viewed at the GCOE Secretariat.

The Japan Education Longitudinal Study (JELS) in Educational/Social Inequality Research Group co-hosted a seminar on career education. Wang reported her findings from surveys conducted at 16 university career centers, on placement, career guidance and college graduate’s transition to labor market in China. Terasaki first presented the career guidance policies in Japan and China. Then she discussed the efforts and issues of high schools and colleges in Japan. Commentator Kosugi paid strong attention to Chinese labor market, and gave her opinions on placement and contents of education at high schools and colleges in Japan.(24. Feb. 2010)













　

　A Seminar on Writing, Presenting and Publishing Social Scientific Research Papers in English was held on February 23, 2010, by the Global COE International Committee. Professor ishii gave a presentation humorously to the graduate students in Doctoral courses. Participants reviewed their abstracts with group members and got some valuable advices from Professor ishii.

The theme of the 2nd JELS seminar is “Students’ Career Development: Culture, Academic Achievements, and Future Paths”. Using the data from the Japan Education Longitudinal Study, presenters examined the effects of students’ culture, teachers, family background, and academic achievements on the students’ future career path.
The three reports are as follows:(1)Tracking and Students’ Culture; (2)Analysis of High School Students’ Future Path Selection；(3) Educational Expectation and Academic Achievements.(22. Jan. 2010)












　

The Japan Education Longitudinal Study (JELS) in Educational/Social Inequality Research Group co-hosted an open seminar on international and national achievement surveys with the CSD program in Ochanomizu University. There were three lectures: Achievement gap in Japanese high school students from the analyses of PISA data; Student achievement surveys in China; National Academic Achievement Survey in Japan and JELS. Each presentation reviewed existing student achievement surveys of OECD, China, and Japan in order to reflect on how to improve future JELS.（8. Jan. 2010)














　













　













　

On 13 January 2010 we held an open seminar on poverty of children in Japanese society as the fifth seminar of the Disciplinary Linkage Project. The speaker, Aya Abe, Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, examined the definition of children’s poverty and referred to various data reflecting the situations surrounding poor children. In comparison with other OECD countries, the functional insufficiency of Japanese social policies was discussed.