Toru Yamagami

I am a PhD candidate in the Department of Applied Linguistics. My PhD research project is supervised by Professor Ema Ushioda and Professor Richard Smith

Please feel free to send an email via

You can also find my website below:

https://toruyamagami.com/

PhD Project

My PhD research focuses on Reconceptualising the Idea Selves of Japanese High School Students. Through Q-methodology, I explore the complexity of their ideal selves and the carious factors that influence their development. PhD project is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Publications

・Under Review ×2

・Work in Progress ×5

・Yamagami, T. (2025). Exploring how dual subtitle translation tool shapes high school students’ engagement and basic psychological needs in self-determination theory. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2025.2556017

・Yamagami, T. (2023). The Impact of L2 Motivational Self System and Students’ Perceptions of English Proficiency on Attitudes toward Translanguaging. International Journal of TESOL & Education,3(1), 154–170. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.233110

・Fujii, S., Mitsugi, M., Nakamura, K., Ono, Y.,Yamagami, T., Takeuchi, N., Ishizuka, H., & Kibler, R. (2022). A comparative study of learner satisfaction in synchronous and asynchronous online courses among Japanese EFL learners. Journal of Pan-Pacific Association of Applied Linguistics,26(2), 97–120.https://doi.org/10.25256/PAAL.26.2.6

・Yamagami, T. (2021). An Exploratory Study on the Relationship Among L2 Motivational Self System, Students’ Perceptions of English Proficiency and Attitudes Toward Translanguaging (Unpublished master’s thesis).

Book/Book Chapter

・Yamagami, T. (2024). Engaging Classroom for Students with Limited Confidence in English. In T. Hiromori & R. Wada (Eds.), Promoting Engagement in English Classrooms: Connecting Motivation and Action with a New Motivational Concept (pp. 91-100). Taishukan Publishing. https://www.taishukan.co.jp/book/b645811.html

Teachers Magazine

・Yamagami, T. (2024). Engaging Classroom for Students with Limited Confidence in English.English Education, June Issue, 40-41. Taishukan Publishing. https://www.taishukan.co.jp/book/b646294.html

Grants

・ESRC Overseas Fieldwork (OSFW), Economic and Social Research Council (UKRI)

・ESRC Research Training Support Grant (RTSG), Economic and Social Research Council (UKRI)

・ESRC Doctoral Studentship (Tuition and Stipend), Economic and Social Research Council (UKRI), Sept 2024 − Jun 2028

Presentations

・Yamagami, T. (2025) Overlooked Dimensions of the Ideal L2 Self: Towards a Deeper Understanding. Multilayered Language Environment Studies International Symposium: Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan (7th December).

・Yamagami, T. (2025) The Ideal L2 Self Revisited: Insights from Japanese High School Students Using Q Methodology. International Conference on Psychology for Language Teachers and Learners (ICPLTL): Istanbul, Turkey (17th October).

・Yamagami, T. (2025) Breaking Language Barriers: How Real-Time Translation Apps Influence Engagement and Psychological Needs in Japanese High School. British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL): Glasgow, Scotland, UK (4th September).

・Yamagami, T. (2024) Enhancing Student Engagement in High School English Classroom: A Framework of Introduction, Deepening, and Advancement. The Hokkaido English Language Education Society: Forum on teaching practices 2024 (16th November).

・Ono, Y., Aoki, C., Mitsugi, M., Sawaya, Y., Ota, T., &Yamagami, T. (2023) An Overview of Previous Research and Practical Examples of Using Generative AI in English Education. The Hokkaido English Language Education Society: The 24th Annual Convention (3rd October).

・Yamagami, T. (2023) Exploring the Utilisation of ICT in the High School Classroom: With a Specific Focus on Engaging English Language Learners. The Japan Society of English Language Education: The 48th Annual Convention (20th August).

・Yamagami, T. (2022) Classroom practice using Pear Deck and UDTalk: Focusing on ensuring interactivity.The Hokkaido English Language Education Society e-learning SIG (12th December, Invited).

・Mitsugi, M.,Yamagami, T., Fujii, S., Nakamura, K., Ishizyka, H., & Ono, Y. (2022) A Comparative study of Learner Satisfaction in Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Courses. The Japan Society of English Language Education: The 47th Annual Convention (Online). (6th August).

・Toyoda, N.,Yamagami, T., & Bao., G. (2022) Exploratory Study: Discussion for Classroom Languages with Three Cases for Pluralinguistic Education. The 5th J-CLIL Tohoku Chapter Conference (online) (16th July).

・Yamagami, T. (2022) An Exploratory Study on the Relationship Among L2 Motivational Self System, Students’ Perceptions of English Proficiency and Attitudes Toward Translanguaging . Multilayered Language Environment Studies International Symposium (online): Past, Present, and Future of Linguistics Transformation (12th March).

・Ishizuka, H., Komaki, A., Lin, I., Mitsugi, M., Nakamura, Oda, T., K., Ono, Y., Kibler, R., Takeuchi, T., &Yamagami, T. (2021) Europian Education and ICT. The Hokkaido English Language Education Society: Forum on Teaching Practices 2021 (14th November).

・Fujii, S., Ono, Y.,Yamagami, T., Mitsugi, M., Ishizuka, H., Nakamura, K., Komaki, A., Yamagda, T., & Ota, T. (2021) Learners' Perceptions of Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Courses Under the COVID 19. The Hokkaido English Language Education Society: The 22th Annual Convention (Online) (3rd October).

・Yamagami, T. (2021) The Practice of Using Google Apps in a High School English Class Close to The Full Adoption of The GIGA School Program. ATEM (The Association for Teaching English through Multimedia) Hokkaido Chapter, Open Online Presentation Series (1st July).

・Yamagami, T. (2021) An Exploratory Study on The Relationship Between Attitudes Toward Translanguaging and Different Types of The ideal L2 self. TLLP (Tandem Language Learning Project) hosted by the University of Helsinki (1st March)

Media Coverage

・Yamagami, T. (2025). How to Design Engaging Classes That Inspire Even Struggling English Learners! Kokusai Kyouiku Navi. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from [https://kknavi.jp/class/12518/] English Version (https://toruyamagami.com/my-interview-on-classroom-engagement/)

Peer Review

・Review for English Language Teacher Education and Development (ELTED) Journal (September 2025)

・Review for The Language Learning Journal (May 2025)

Professional Memberships

・International Society for the Scientific Study of Subjectivity (ISSSS)

・Irish Association for Applied Linguistics (IRAAL)

・British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL)

・The International Association for the Psychology of Language Learning (IAPLL)