ABSTRACT
Concept-based language instruction (C-BLI) incorporates Gal'perin’s (1989, 1992) notion of schemas for a complete orientating basis of action (SCOBAs) into foreign language instruction. SCOBAs materialize accurate target language concepts through both visual and language elements. Research on C-BLI and SCOBAs is just emerging in applied linguistics, with most work focused on European languages. This volume focuses on Japanese, demonstrating the power of SCOBAs to present accurate and situated languaculture (linguistic and cultural) concepts, serving as mediational tools to guide dynamic process of second/foreign language (L2) concept internalization. SCOBAs are used in C-BLI to teach construal concepts, such as subjective and objective construal patterns. L2 development involves a holistic transformation of the learner’s mind, as the learner internalizes L2 concepts. Materials are built on usage-based linguistics research; the usage-based model is necessary to produce accurate materials based on how the language is really used, creating a revolutionary pedagogy for teaching Japanese.
