Recent Ph.D. award in Applied Linguistics. My research topic was pragmatic development in foreign language learning. I investigated how learners could learn and improve their sense of politeness, such as making a request appropriately in a given context. Learning a language requires learning the culture where the language is spoken. Considering how people in Japan generally attach importance to being polite or formal in public, it is important for the learners of Japanese to understand such culture as well. I believe utilising the knowledge acquired through my Ph.D. study into teaching will be beneficial to the learners of Japanese.