Art Appreciation and Language Learning: A Lifelong Research Journey

In my early teens, I was captivated by the photography in overseas fashion magazines, an encounter which sparked my ambition to make a career out of creating artistic imagery. Over time my interest evolved into a broader passion for art, particularly painting, and when I entered university, I focused my studies primarily on art history for my liberal arts degree. 

I have pursued my education with gaps between my degrees; it’s been 20 years since I completed my master’s, following a gap after my undergraduate study. Balancing my studies with family life, I lived abroad for my husband’s career and supported his academic pursuits. The cross-cultural encounters during the time—from volunteering with a female traditional crafts group in Iran to exploring objects and images as teaching materials for my master’s research in English Language Teaching (ELT)—cultivated my interest in art and broadened my perspectives, eventually directing me to work as a museum educator.

Art and language are forms of communication, and this commonality drives my doctoral research: applying art appreciation to English language learning. By discussing art where no “correct” answer exists, learners express diverse viewpoints, which fosters a level of collaborative learning often absent in conventional language learning. In my research, learners engage in open conversations about artwork in English facilitated by art university students. I analyze the dialogic process where learners build upon each other's ideas to reach new levels of critical reflection.

Participants often found that English allowed them to express their emotions more naturally than Japanese. This prompted my research into how emotionally driven communication facilitates language learning. I also explore how slow, deliberate reflection before speaking can cultivate a richer, more nuanced command of the language. We are linguistically active even in silence. As participants noted, the museum setting makes silence feel natural, letting them verbalize more thoughts internally than they would in other settings.

Alongside my doctoral studies, I am collaborating on a project at a Tokyo museum exploring how museums can foster social connection and learning for young people. Rather than focusing on skill acquisition, this project prioritizes the joy of self-discovery and proactive learning. My hope is to promote museums as hubs for lifelong learning, enriching our daily lives. Research is a lifelong joy for me. The insights and wonders arising from my career experience open doors to new research themes.

When the pandemic disrupted my doctoral studies in Scotland, I looked for programs in Japan and was drawn to SFC. Its interdisciplinary environment is perfectly suited to my research, and I found the admissions process and the curriculum thought provoking. The Graduate School of Media and Governance offers a cross-disciplinary curriculum equivalent to an EdD program, which is a major draw for those seeking to bridge diverse academic fields.

SFC is the ideal place for continuous learning; as a doctoral student teaching at an art university, Keio’s principle of hangaku-hankyo (learning while teaching, teaching while learning) has resonated with me since day one. Guidance from my research advisors, including Professor Waragai, has been vital to my doctoral research. Joint academic projects and research groups allow graduate students to engage with faculty members across related fields, providing a valuable environment for receiving feedback on their theses.    

Academic research carries both vulnerability and excitement, much like setting sail into the unknown. As learning continues far beyond a doctoral program, I feel I have yet to even reach the halfway point. I also feel, though, if we can find a balance with life’s demands—be it work, parenting, or caregiving—we can keep delving deeper into our research. The Graduate School of Media and Governance provides an ideal environment for adult learners to achieve that harmony.

Waragai-lab

Research Fields: Language & Teaching Design, Language Learning Technology, German literature, media studies