The Center for Foreign Language Education and Research (FLER) was founded at Rikkyo University in April 2020 as an institution to carry out advanced educational practice and to conduct cutting-edge research. We are in the midst of difficult but challenging times in which we cannot find solutions by simply following precedents. In such a period of complexity and uncertainty, we believe that a key lies in ‘three areas of interaction.’

1. Interaction between different disciplines
   Foreign language education is a transdisciplinary field where one’s foreign language learning is full of complexity and diversity; that is, various components—such as different starting ages of learning, different interests, different magnitudes of motivation and different personalities—dynamically interact and collectively contribute to one’s foreign language competence and construction of identity. Not only various language-related studies (e.g., linguistics, second language acquisition, literature) but also areas concerning human mind and behaviors (e.g., psychology, sociology, biology, brain science) help us understand the complex and dynamic nature of foreign language learning.
   
   
2. Interaction between different languages
   English is now recognized as a lingua franca, playing a key role in international communication; however, solely Anglophone-based values and ways of thinking are still limited and are insufficient to solve a number of global problems we are currently facing. FLER involves teachers of five other languages—German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Rossian, each of which has its own thoughts, values, culture, and history. The interaction between different language professionals, or translanguaging dialogue, helps us expand our perspectives and enrich our life. The interaction with other languages would also enhance respect for other cultures and promote tolerance in the global community where diverse people are expected to work collaboratively.
   
   
3. Interaction between theory and practice
   With rapid globalization and progress of information technology, research on foreign language teaching and learning has advanced and proliferated over the last decade; however, implementation of practice in the foreign language classroom based on the findings obtained from the research side has been piecemeal and gradual, and there is still a large gap between teachers and researchers. To close this gap, foreign language professionals are required to play two roles—practitioners and researchers—and to make an effort to integrate the two sides of the same coin. Through continuous cycles of engaging in research activities and putting the findings into practice in the classroom, we could serve as a bridge between the two separate worlds. We believe our attempt to exercise researched pedagogy would contribute to creating an ideal foreign language learning environment for students.

FLER is aiming to achieve this ‘new normal’ of foreign language teaching at university through three areas of interaction among professionals with diverse expertise, languages and backgrounds. We aim to conduct a number of ambitious research projects and make a significant contribution to the lasting improvement of our foreign language teaching practice.

Ouvert en avril 2020, le Center for Foreign Language Education and Research (FLER) est responsable de l’enseignement des langues étrangères pour l’ensemble des étudiant(e)s de premier cycle de l’Université Rikkyo.

À partir de l’année universitaire 2024, un nouveau curriculum a été mis en place, donnant le coup d’envoi à un programme d’enseignement des langues visant à former de futur(e)s leaders selon les principes du plurilinguisme et du pluriculturalisme.

Après le ralentissement des échanges internationaux dû à la pandémie de COVID-19, nous sommes entrés dans une période où l’interdépendance du monde se manifeste plus clairement que jamais. Pour permettre aux étudiant(e)s de Rikkyo de devenir acteurs de leur avenir dans un environnement interculturel, le FLER conduit des recherches et met en œuvre des approches pédagogiques en éducation plurilingue et pluriculturelle, valorisant la diversité des perspectives et l’innovation dans les modes de communication.

En partenariat avec des chercheur(e)s au Japon comme à l’étranger, nous continuerons à élaborer et diffuser de nouveaux modèles d’enseignement des langues, fondés sur une articulation étroite entre recherche et pratique pédagogique.

Established in April 2020, the Center for Foreign Language Education and Research (FLER) is responsible for foreign language education for all undergraduate students at Rikkyo University.

In the 2024 academic year, a new curriculum was launched, introducing a foreign language education program designed to foster future Rikkyo leaders within the framework of plurilingual and pluricultural principles.

Having experienced the temporary stagnation of international exchange during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now living in an era in which the interdependence of the world has never been more tangible. To empower Rikkyo students to shape the future together with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, FLER promotes research and pedagogical practices in plurilingual and pluricultural education that respect diverse values and explore new approaches to communication.

In collaboration with researchers in Japan and around the world, we will continue to propose and develop new models of foreign language education from the dual perspectives of teaching and research.