Fulfilling Time at the L-café

Abstract

In this narrative, a young Japanese man learning English as a foreign language writes about the impact the L-café — a social language learning space located on the campus of a national university in Japan — has had on his university life and identity as a future English teacher. In his story, he recounts how he progressed from feeling uncomfortable as a newcomer at the L-café to assuming leadership roles as a peer teacher and assistant to the manager. His story also illustrates how students at the L-café support and learn from each other. In addition, his story demonstrates how his social engagement in the L-café enhanced his motivation to attain his life goals of becoming an English speaker and teacher.