2025年度春、国際学部に新任教員として着任した「第二言語習得論」が専門のアンドリュー?バーンズ先生に学生広報委員の工藤茉莉さん（国際学部4年）が英語でインタビューを行いましたので、その模様をお届けします！

 

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Q.1 Firstly, could you briefly introduce your area of research?

　My research is in second language acquisition, especially how to teach English writing to non-native speakers. I focus on “written corrective feedback,” which means how teachers give grammar corrections on student writing. I’m interested in how effective this feedback is and how students actually engage with it, or ignore it, while others refer to it repeatedly. I’m also looking at how much time and effort this takes for teachers. In the future, I think AI tools, like large language models, can help with grammar correction, allowing teachers to focus more on giving personal feedback about students’ ideas. My next research will explore how students respond to feedback generated by AI.

 

Q.2 Why did you choose this research theme? And what led you to become interested in this field?

　My background is in computing science—I studied it at the University of Manchester and also worked in the IT field. Later, I became interested in language teaching and wanted to connect both areas. There’s a field called Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), and during my graduate studies, my professor—an expert in this field—inspired me to explore it further. While researching grammar correction in English writing, I realized how time-consuming it is for teachers. That made me curious about how much time teachers spend on feedback, and whether students actually read and benefit from it. I now focus on helping teachers give more personalized feedback that students are more likely to engage with.

 

Q.3 And how was your university life?

　At the University of Manchester, I enjoyed learning from excellent lecturers, although classes were mostly one-way, with limited discussion. The focus was on lectures and hands-on projects like electrical engineering tasks.

　One of the most memorable parts of my university life was being active in sports. I received a scholarship for Taekwondo and trained seriously throughout my studies. In my final year, my focus shifted more toward competing in sports, and I was fortunate to win the British student national title. This experience taught me about balancing academics with extracurricular interests, which helps me understand the challenges students face when they have commitments both inside and outside the classroom.

 

 

Q.4 Could you tell me about your background before coming to Japan?

　I'm originally from Middlesbrough, a large working-class town in the northeast of England, known for its steel and chemical industries. The weather there isn’t the best; it rains a lot, which is actually one of the reasons I prefer the climate in Japan. Despite the weather, people from the northeast of England are known for being warm, friendly, and having a good sense of humor. They’re also very hardworking, which I think comes from the region’s industrial background. We also have beautiful landscapes nearby, such as the North York Moors, which are great for hiking. One downside of the area’s industrial history is the air pollution. In fact, people from Middlesbrough are sometimes nicknamed “Smoggies” because of the smog from the old factories. My hometown also has a strong connection to engineering. For example, steel from Middlesbrough was used to build the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia. It was designed by a company from my area, Dorman Long.

　Before coming to Japan, I lived in Australia for two years, mostly in Syndey but also in Melbourne and along the Sunshine Coast. I worked a lot of part-time jobs, including at a martial arts academy and on farms picking pineapples and strawberries. It was tough physical work, but I really enjoyed the experience.

 

Q.5 Why did you decide to become a professor at a university in Japan?

　I’ve lived in Japan for over 15 years, so continuing my academic career here felt natural. Before coming to Japan, I worked in IT in the UK, where part of my role was training others. I discovered that I really enjoyed the educational side of the job. After arriving in Japan, I initially planned to continue in computing, but through part-time work in the eikaiwa industry and teaching business English in Tokyo, I found that I truly enjoyed language education. That motivated me to study Japanese for two years, and then I entered a master’s program at Waseda University, followed by a PhD.

　One reason I’m passionate about researching in Japan is because many global studies in English education are based on elite language learners studying at universities in the US or UK. But in Japan, I have the chance to work with learners at different levels and better understand the real challenges faced by everyday language learners.

Q.6 What do you like about Japan?

　There are many things I like about Japan. In some ways, it reminds me of the UK—people are generally polite and respectful, and society values order. One thing I deeply appreciate is how safe it is here, especially now that I have a daughter. I feel Japan is a very good place to raise children.

　Also, I love how reliable public transportation is—having trains run on time really makes daily life easier. I used to enjoy going to museums and art galleries in the UK, and I like that I can continue that in Japan as well. Japan has a rich, long history, just like the UK, and it’s fascinating to explore a different culture with such deep roots.

 

Q.7 What do you like to do in your free time?

　These days, most of my free time is spent with my wife and daughter. I’ve also recently gotten into playing video games more, especially because it allows me to stay connected with friends and family—both in Tokyo and back home—through online play. If I had more time, I’d love to get back into indoor rock climbing and kickboxing, which I used to enjoy before things got busy. Socializing with friends and colleagues is also important to me. It’s good to take time away from work and meet people face-to-face. To be honest, finishing my PhD and raising a young daughter has taken up most of my time recently. In the future, I hope to improve my work–life balance and make more room for hobbies again.

 

 

Q.8 Is there a motto or philosophy that you live by, either in research or life?

　One personal motto I try to live by is to learn something new every day. I’ve always had a passion for learning, and even now, I enjoy watching science videos and educational content on YouTube or social media. That said, I also try to be mindful of misinformation online. In today’s world, it's important to think critically about the sources of our information. What inspires me, especially in Japan, is seeing how many older people continue to pursue learning—whether it’s taking language lessons or joining classes at city halls. That lifelong learning mindset is something I really admire in Japanese culture, and I try to follow it myself.

 

Q.9 What qualities do you think are important for students to develop during university?

　One quality I believe is essential for university students is having an inquisitive mind: the curiosity to dig deeper and question what they see or hear. In today’s world, where information is everywhere and easily accessible, it's tempting to accept things at face value. But I think it's important to take the extra step: ask questions, explore different viewpoints, and read sources with opposing opinions. For example, in UK politics, people often read just one newspaper and stay in what we call an “echo chamber,” where they only hear one side of an issue. But true learning happens when you examine both sides and think critically.

I hope students develop the habit of not just consuming information, but analyzing it. They should go beyond the headlines and look at the original sources to understand the bigger picture.

 

Q.10 How do you feel about the learning environment and student culture at this university?

 　I've been very impressed by how driven the students are, especially when it comes to preparing for their careers. Many of them are already thinking about their future and actively job hunting while still at university. When I was their age, I didn’t start looking for jobs until after graduation, so I think it’s admirable how proactive they are. They also seem to be very sociable and supportive of each other in the classroom. Whether that continues outside the classroom, I’m not sure, but during class, they’re friendly and encourage each other to share their ideas and perspectives. I think that’s what university should be about—being exposed to different viewpoints and learning to think in new ways.

　Personally, I enjoy coming to this campus. I live along the Keio Line, so it is very convenient for me. I used to work in Jimbocho, and I think it’s a great area, especially for people my age. There are lots of good restaurants—recently I went to Bondi Curry, which was excellent. That said, I do wonder how students engage with the Jimbocho area. Since it’s more of a business district than a typical university town, I’m curious whether students explore the neighborhood or just hop on the train after class. When I was at Waseda for my postgraduate studies, the campus was surrounded by shops and services that clearly catered to students. Here, it feels a bit different because Jimbocho caters to both business people and students from a number of nearby universities. But maybe that contrast is interesting in itself. I’m curious to know more about how students spend their time around here.

 

Q.11 Lastly, could you share a message or some advice for the students at this university?

　Don’t be afraid to speak up in the classroom. Sharing your opinions, even if they differ from others, is an important part of learning. At university, it's natural for people to have different views, and that diversity of thought helps everyone grow. Even if you’re unsure or feel nervous, try to express your ideas. Your professors are here to support and guide you.

　I think this open and interactive approach is especially encouraged at GSE, so take advantage of that environment and get comfortable voicing your thoughts.　

 

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　インタビュー：工藤茉莉　

 

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