Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study examines how Japanese university students choose topics for academic presentations in English-medium courses. Using a simple mixed-methods design, this research conducted a survey of Japanese undergraduates (n=21) and a follow-up semi-structured interviews with the same group. The analysis focuses on the ways linguistic confidence, cultural background, course expectations, and personal interest interact when students narrow down a presentation topic. The results indicate that students’ decisions are influenced by a combination of cultural familiarity, language difficulty, and a preference for topics that feel socially “safe” within a Japanese classroom atmosphere. Many students described that some of their concerns include choosing their own interest over more globally oriented topics, dilemma about speaking in English, and getting too much attention from peers. Across interviews, students repeatedly highlighted two factors: the desire to challenge themselves academically and the need to feel comfortable presenting in English. Cultural expectations related to group harmony and public perception were frequently mentioned as factors shaping their final choices. The findings suggest that instructors can better support students by offering structured guidance on selecting topics, adjusting linguistic demands, and creating a classroom atmosphere where trying new topics does not feel scary or uncomfortable. This research contributes to the growing body of work on intercultural communication and strategies for foreign language teaching in Japan.
DOI: 10.18910/104368
Authors: Belarga, Oliver, ベラルガ, オリバー
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7152723965
FWCI:
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