The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology has implemented reforms in Japan to promote language education through technology. Blended language learning is a way to fulfill the mandate set in these reforms. Combining the benefits of online and face-to-face learning leads to increased engagement in the target language. Course management systems allow language learners to exercise their writing in the target language interacting in authentic discussions. The framework used for this research study is based on collaborative constructivism. As students communicate in online discussions, they build community where there is an increase in social, cognitive, and teaching presences. Language learners interact through online asynchronous discussions guided by the instructor. In this study students engage in online discussions and the results are discussed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]