Teacher Motivational Strategies for EFL Learners: For Better or Worse

RELC Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 003368821990081
Author(s):  
Moon Hong Min ◽  
Yuah V. Chon
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Motivational Strategies ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Motivational Design ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Motivational Practice ◽  
Vocational Aspirations

This study examines how English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ motivational practice affects learners based on a motivational design for learning and performance, the Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction (ARCS) model of motivation. There was also an examination of how learners’ perceptions of teachers’ motivational practices were contributing to learners’ L2 proficiency. A total of 242 high school EFL learners completed questionnaires on their teachers’ motivational practice, and 12 of the learners’ teachers completed complementary questionnaires to indicate their use of motivational tactics or strategies. One-to-one interviews with eight learners were additionally conducted. Results indicated that the learners were underutilizing the motivational strategies (MS) that their teachers claimed to use. On the other hand, teachers’ attention-getting strategies and confidence-building strategies were significant predictors of learners’ language proficiency. Interview data revealed that the learners’ underutilization of teachers’ motivational practices was due to problems in lack of MS variability, motive mismatching, and natural consequences. Although teacher’s use of MS is generally believed to enhance learners’ motivation, the findings provide empirical evidence on how MS need to be implemented to accommodate learners’ vocational aspirations, and support classroom climates that can promote communicative language teaching practices.

How Can EFL Teachers Help EFL Learners Improve Their English Pronunciation?

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbas Pourhosein Gilakjani ◽  
Narjes Banou Sabouri
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
And Performance

One of the important parts of foreign language teaching and learning is English pronunciation because it impacts learners' communicative competence and performance. Lack of pronunciation skills reduces learners’ self-confidence and limit their social interactions. EFL teachers can help their learners obtain the necessary skills of pronunciation they need for effective communication. In this paper, the researchers define the term pronunciation, explain the importance of pronunciation, declare the goals of English pronunciation, state the aspects of English pronunciation, elaborate the reason of integrating pronunciation in EFL classes, express techniques for teaching English pronunciation, and mention implications for the learning and teaching of English pronunciation. The review of literature indicates that EFL teachers play a vital role in improving the learners’ pronunciation skill.

scholarly journals The Comparative Effect of Teaching Concept Mapping in Reading on Extrovert and Introvert EFL Learners' Self-Regulation

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Mania Nosratinia ◽  
Fatemeh Abbasi
Keyword(s):  
Concept Mapping ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Teaching Concept ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Pre Treatment

The present study attempted to compare the effect of teaching concept mapping in reading on extrovert and introvert English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' Self-Regulation (SR). The participants were 60 female EFL learners at the intermediate level of English language proficiency, between 18 and 20 (Mage = 19). The Preliminary English Test was employed in order to select homogeneous participants in terms of English language proficiency level, followed by administering Eysenck's Personality Inventory (1985). The language-wise homogeneous introvert (n = 30) and extrovert (n = 30) participants were assigned randomly into two experimental groups of 30. To identify the pre-treatment and post-treatment levels of participants' SR, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (1991) was administered twice. The two groups were instructed using the same material and implementing Harris and Graham’s (1996) concept mapping instruction model. The analysis of the scores using an Independent-Samples t-Test revealed that extrovert participants exhibited a significantly higher SR level as a result of being exposed to concept mapping. The study concludes with a discussion on the obtained results and the probable reasons leading to them, followed by presenting some implications for EFL teachers, learners, and syllabus designers. 

scholarly journals Scope of Cooperative Learning (CL) Strategies in Teaching English to Saudi Adult EFL Learners: A Study of Practical Barriers and Possible Implications

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ishtiaq ◽  
Muhammad Sabboor Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Educational Administration ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Efl Teachers

This study aims at investigating the teachers’ practices and perceptions in teaching English in Saudi Arabia by viewing their stance on Cooperative Learning (CL) — an innovative teaching approach proposed to raise the language proficiency level of adult EFL learners. The study has been conducted in Qassim University, Saudi Arabia—a vibrant and flourishing EFL context. A quantitative tool (a questionnaire) has been used to collect data and to serve qualitative purposes. It reports 80 EFL teachers’ (40 males and 40 females) perceptions about CL using a 17-items comprehensive survey covering all the possible barriers in the way of implementing CL strategies in EFL classes. The survey items also explore how the EFL teachers in Saudi Arabia foresee the implications of making such an innovative move in their classes. The responses have been analyzed on a 5-point Likert scale which ranges from strongly disagree-disagree-neutral-agree-strongly agree. Major findings are that CL strategies have practical barriers but their implications are far more positive. The barriers are mainly due to the wrong learning habits of the adult EFL learners in Qassim University and lack of will and vision of the educational administration. The study recommends that CL strategies need to be given due consideration and support by the administrators and policy makers to raise the proficiency level of adult EFL learners. The study also allays the misconception that majority of the practitioners in English language teaching field are not ready to practice and implement CL strategies in their classes.

scholarly journals Motivating EFL Learners Comprehensively: Applying Dörnyei’s Taxonomy of Classroom Motivational Strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Ernita Raharja ◽  
Ashadi Ashadi
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Learning ◽  
Motivational Strategies ◽  
Language Aptitude ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Single State ◽  
Learning English

<p><em>Learning English as a foreign language is considered as a long-term process. During the period of learning, students might undergo ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ issue related to motivation swings. It is believed that motivated learners likely to outperform others who have high language aptitude but possess low motivation. For this reason, EFL teachers are required to involve strategies that captivate EFL students’ motivation. Motivating students should not only rely on immediate teaching strategies or a single activity since learning English as a foreign language is not an immediate process. Students tend to show fluctuated motivation in a time while in the other occasions could suffer in learning. </em><em>Hence, how motivation is considered as a process rather than a single state is described. Examining other perspective about motivation and the changing of focus in researching motivation show that seeing motivation as a process indicates more promising results for EFL students’ learning accomplishment. </em><em>Pointing out the importance of motivation in English learning attainment and the need of continuum process in motivating students, this paper offers the practical and comprehensive classroom motivational strategies by applying </em><em>Dörnyei’s motivational taxonomy</em><em>. </em></p>

scholarly journals The Effect of Communicative Activities on EFL Learners’ Motivation: A Case of Students in the Amazon Region of Ecuador

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
César Ochoa ◽  
Paola Cabrera ◽  
Ana Quiñónez ◽  
Luz Castillo ◽  
Paúl González
Keyword(s):  
Amazon Region ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Communicative Activities ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods ◽  
Method Approach ◽  
Shed Light

This study sought to shed light on the relationship between communicative activities and their impact on students’ motivation to learn English as a Foreign Language (EFL). A total of 180 senior high school learners (86 male and 94 female) and 8 EFL teachers in a town of the Amazon region of Ecuador completed a questionnaire. A sample of these students and all of the teachers participated in a face-to-face interview. Both instruments were applied to obtain data concerned with use of communicative activities in the classroom and their relation with motivation. The data gathered was analyzed using a mixed-method approach, which comprised quantitative and qualitative methods. The results showed that students and teachers believe that communicative activities are motivating. Furthermore, students feel highly motivated when participating in interactive activities because these enhance their fluency, pronunciation and performance in the use of English in a realistic and enjoyable way. 

scholarly journals BUILDING RAPPORT WITH YOUNG EFL LEARNERS AND ITS IMPACT ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENT IN AN EFL LEARNING CONTEXT

2017 ◽  
pp. 277-292
Author(s):  
Lejla Žunić-Rizvić ◽  
Vildana Dubravac
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Student Teacher ◽  
Motivational Strategies ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teacher Rapport ◽  
Building Rapport

This paper aims to stress the importance of building rapport with young EFL (English as a foreign language) learners and to investigate the connection between student-teacher rapport and students’ achievement in an EFL classroom. It also treats some methods and approaches that should be used when teaching young language learners with respect to their needs and characteristics. In addition, this paper describes the importance of motivation for language acquisition and explores some motivational strategies for young language learners. The paper also aims at inspiring EFL teachers to focus on dimensions of language teaching which are associated with pedagogical aspects of teaching and are focused on creating positive student-teacher relations. The positive classroom atmosphere in which students feel safe and comfortable is considered essential for their success in language learning.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study of Vocabulary Learning Strategies Employed by Iranian Undergraduate and Postgraduate EFL Learners with a Focus on Motivation

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Sarani ◽  
Habib Shirzaei
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Major Part ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Efl Teachers

Vocabulary is viewed as a major part of language proficiency as it allows learners to use four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The present study was carried out to compare Iranian undergraduate and postgraduate EFL learners’ use of vocabulary learning strategies. After that the study tried to see if there was any difference between highly-motivated and low-motivated learners with regard to vocabulary use. Finally, it aimed at investigating the differences between the Iranian EFL male and female learners’ use of vocabulary learning strategies. A group of 150 Iranian undergraduate and postgraduate EFL learners (75 males and 75 females) both at BA and MA levels from Zahedan universities were selected randomly. The participants’ ages ranged between18 to 42. The data were obtained through two questionnaires: Taxonomy of Vocabulary Learning Strategies developed by Schmitt (1997) and Gardner’s (1985) Attitude/ Motivation Test Battery (AMTB). The findings of the study showed that there was a significant difference between undergraduate and postgraduate EFL learners’ use of vocabulary learning strategies. Also, there was a difference between highly-motivated learners and low-motivated learners’ use of vocabulary learning strategies. Moreover, the results showed that the interaction between the learners’ gender and motivation was significant. The results are theoretically and pedagogically significant for EFL teachers and applied linguists

EFL Learners` Beliefs about Isolated and Integrated Grammar Teaching and Performance on a Grammar Recognition Test

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Sediqe Ebrahimi ◽  
Hossein Saadabadi Motlagh ◽  
Fatemeh Karampour
Keyword(s):  
Recognition Test ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Grammar Instruction ◽  
Focus On Form ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Grammar Teaching ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Grammar Tests ◽  
Teaching Grammar

<p>Approaches to teaching grammar have changed dramatically since the 1970s when communicative language teaching was proposed. An increasing number of studies have investigated the adequacy of this kind of grammar instruction. Yet, few studies have been done to look at the preferences that learners have for these methods of focus-on-form instruction and its relationship with their performance on grammar tests. The purpose of the present study is to explore Iranian EFL learners` attitudes and preferences for isolated and integrated focus-on-form and their performance on a grammar recognition test. Participants were learners studying English in a private language teaching institute. They were requested to complete the questionnaire of the isolated and integrated focus on form and answer a TOEFL grammar recognition test. The analysis of findings using descriptive statistics and T-test showed that learners did not have clear preferences for different types of focus on form and that learners` attitude towards isolated and integrated focus on form was not related to their performance. students' The findings can provide useful information for teachers and instructors learners` preferences for different approaches.</p>

scholarly journals The Using of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) Approach: A Case Study of Jordanian Female EFL Learners at University of Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 141-147
Author(s):  
Kosay Alshwater
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Institutional Issues ◽  
Efl Teachers

This paper aims to explore the experiences of Jordanian English as a foreign language (EFL) student concerning communicative language teaching. Classroom surveys were used to gather data from three separate sources. The quantitative method was applied to collect and evaluate data through classroom surveys, which were statistically assessed using suitable methods. Female students (N = 115) who participated in the research. In terms of the significant conclusions, data interpretation revealed gaps in the subjects' experiences of EFL Learning. Furthermore, the results showed that EFL teachers in Jordan face various difficulties when introducing communicative language learning in their classrooms. Three points of concern were regularly identified: student challenges, institutional issues, and problems with the administrative structure. Overall, the findings showed that despite the problems, Jordanian EFL learners regard the CLT method favourably.

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