ABSTRACT
The purpose of the qualitative, instrumental case study research was to explore,
explain, and understand, through analysis of interviews, focus groups, participant
responses to questionnaires and archival documents, how passive classical music
exposure during study might stimulate the study of conversational English for Japanese
learners, further developing a possible tool for educational leaders to utilize both in Japan
and globally. The case involved 12 Japanese adult learners studying in an informal class
focusing on improving communication and grammar. Data were collected through
questionnaires, learner centered focus-groups, instructor centered interview, and archival
data. Themes and patters were analyzed within and across the datum sources for
convergence, divergence, and triangulation. The results indicated a favorable relationship
between the inclusion of ambient, western, classical music in the classroom and at privet
at-home study time. The results of the research’s primary question and 2 sub-questions
identified themes between the leaner and the music, touching on the learners change over
the exposure period. The themes identified were changes in atmosphere of the learning
environment, change in communication in English, change in English study, personal
change, and preferences in music qualities and properties. The overall result of the
music’s introduction was positive.