University of Niigata Prefecture Academic Repository
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How Centralization Affects Voter Turnout: The Case of California
Get PDFapplication/pdfJournal ArticleThe Downsian model of voting predicts that only a few people will vote since the expected return to voting is far smaller than the cost. But in reality, millions vote. This paradox of voting remains unsolved for more than half a century. I examine empirically the prediction in the context of fi scal centralization which occurred in California in the late 1970s. The state of California limited the property tax rate to 1 percent of the purchase price when Proposition 13 was approved by the electorate in 1978. As a result, property tax revenues, on which local governments rely, declined to less than half, and the authorities lost discretionary power to set tax policy. I test the hypotheses that voter turnout for elected government officials at local level was lower after the passage of proposition 13 than before since the electoral outcomes matter less. I address voting for county boards of supervisors and school board members. Findings suggest that voter turnout for county boards of supervisors declined but that for school board members did not.journal articl
Improving Oral Skills through Readers Theatre: A Study of Views of Japanese EFL Learners
Get PDFapplication/pdfJournal ArticleReaders Theatre (RT) is an example of a story dramatization where readers fi rst read a literary text and then write a drama script to portray characters from the text they have read. To portray a character, readers strive for voice fl exibility, good articulation, proper pronunciation and projection. Readers Theatre was implemented in a class of EFL learners enrolled in the International Study and Regional Department in the University of Niigata Prefecture. This study was designed to investigate the attitudes of Japanese EFL learners towards the use of Reader Theatre as a way to enhance their English oral skills. The data for this research were collected through both quantitative and qualitative means. The quantitative data was aimed at investigating the attitudes of students towards the RT activity while the qualitative data were sought to examine students' perceptions as English language learners in the RT activity. The fi ndings from this study show that RT enhanced the English skills of Japanese EFL learners as they learned to use English in a real communicative context. Readers Theatre also boostedthe confi dence of Japanese EFL learners in their spoken English as they experimented with their voices by varying the pitch and volume to portray the characters in their scripts.journal articl
Using Video Interviews to Provide Effective Role Models for Japanese EFL Learners
Get PDFapplication/pdfJournal ArticleIn Japan, English classes are generally conducted in Japanese. This leads to a perception of English as a subject of study rather than a means of communication. In recent years, a great deal of research has been aimed at increasing the use of English by Japanese English teachers. But other members of the school faculty are also appropriate language learning role models for students. This preliminary study looks at the impact of exposing students to videos of non-English specialist faculty members known to the students using English for authentic communication. Improvements were seen in students' attitudes towards English and language learning in general, along with a greater sense of connection to English among the students in the study group.日本における英語授業は、日本語で行われる。このため、コミュニケーションのための英語というよりも、1つの教科というイメージを学生に与えてしまう。多くの近年の研究や教育活動は、学生に対する良き言語モデルとして日本人教員が授業中に積極的に英語を使用することを推奨している。それとともに、英語以外の授業を担当する教員も学生の英語学習のための良きロールモデルになり得る。本予備研究では、英語教育を専門とせず、また英語が母国語でない教員が英語を話している様子をビデオで撮影し、その様子を学生が見ることによって、学生の英語学習に対するやる気や自信、また英語を身近に感じるといった大きな利点があることがわかった。journal articl
Thinking globally, acting locally : Creating a support network for multicultural families in Niigata
Get PDFapplication/pdfJournal ArticleThis report outlines the background for and the set-up and logistics of a community support project focusing on multicultural families launched at the University of Niigata Prefecture. This project, The Support Network for Niigata International Families, and the events called International Family Gatherings were made possible by funding through a grant for aid in research and community outreach rojects, from the University of Niigata Prefecture. The program is aimed at supporting multicultural families living in the Niigata area, while at the same time providing exposure and experience for students at the university interested in multiculturalism and/or childcare.journal articl
