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Implicit Foreign Language Learning: How Early Exposure and Immersion Affect Narrative Competence.

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Title: Implicit Foreign Language Learning: How Early Exposure and Immersion Affect Narrative Competence.
Authors: Quay, Suzanne1 (AUTHOR), Kano, Moe2 (AUTHOR) moe.kano.gf19@vc.ibaraki.ac.jp
Source: Education Sciences. Oct2025, Vol. 15 Issue 10, p1382. 15p.
Subject Terms: *Second language acquisition, *Immersion method (Language teaching), *Implicit learning, *Communicative competence, *Teaching methods, Participation, Narration, Japanese students
Abstract: This study investigates how short-term naturalistic immersion shapes the development of evaluative narrative competence in Japanese junior high school students learning English as a foreign language. While prior second language acquisition (SLA) research has established the benefits of input-rich environments, little is known about how implicit learning during brief immersion experiences supports higher-order storytelling skills. To address this gap, we analyzed students' performance on a standardized problem-solving task and a storytelling task before and after a one-month homestay abroad. Results showed significant post-immersion gains in narrative complexity, with longer stories, greater use of causal and evaluative devices, and increased diversity of expression. Regression analysis revealed that the age of first English exposure strongly predicted outcomes: early starters demonstrated broader and more sophisticated use of evaluative strategies than later starters. These findings suggest that short-term immersion can substantially enhance narrative competence, particularly for learners with early exposure, while highlighting the need for tailored pedagogical interventions to help later starters capitalize on implicit learning opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Education Sciences is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+language+acquisition%22">Second language acquisition</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Immersion+method+%28Language+teaching%29%22">Immersion method (Language teaching)</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Implicit+learning%22">Implicit learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communicative+competence%22">Communicative competence</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+methods%22">Teaching methods</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Participation%22">Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Narration%22">Narration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Japanese+students%22">Japanese students</searchLink>
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  Data: This study investigates how short-term naturalistic immersion shapes the development of evaluative narrative competence in Japanese junior high school students learning English as a foreign language. While prior second language acquisition (SLA) research has established the benefits of input-rich environments, little is known about how implicit learning during brief immersion experiences supports higher-order storytelling skills. To address this gap, we analyzed students' performance on a standardized problem-solving task and a storytelling task before and after a one-month homestay abroad. Results showed significant post-immersion gains in narrative complexity, with longer stories, greater use of causal and evaluative devices, and increased diversity of expression. Regression analysis revealed that the age of first English exposure strongly predicted outcomes: early starters demonstrated broader and more sophisticated use of evaluative strategies than later starters. These findings suggest that short-term immersion can substantially enhance narrative competence, particularly for learners with early exposure, while highlighting the need for tailored pedagogical interventions to help later starters capitalize on implicit learning opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Education Sciences is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.3390/educsci15101382
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 15
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      – SubjectFull: Second language acquisition
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Immersion method (Language teaching)
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      – SubjectFull: Implicit learning
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      – SubjectFull: Communicative competence
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      – SubjectFull: Teaching methods
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      – SubjectFull: Narration
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              M: 10
              Text: Oct2025
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