scholarly journals A Review of Foreign Language Enjoyment and Engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yijun Zeng

The introduction of positive psychology into foreign/second language learning has led to a multitude of novel theoretical and empirical studies. Foreign language enjoyment (FLE) is regarded as a response to the widely examined concept of classroom anxiety. The majority of these studies have investigated the effect of learners’ and teachers’ characteristics (Xie and Derakhshan, 2021) pertaining to FLE on learners’ academic achievement and their engagement in classroom tasks. Following a seminal study by Dewaele and MacIntyre (2014) and the development of the primary FLE scale, some researchers evaluated the extent of learners’ enjoyment in the language learning environment; these studies approved the effectiveness and prominence of FLE throughout the learning process. The present review is an attempt to review studies on FLE during the past two decades. The related literature confirms the significance and efficiency of promoting FLE in the classroom because it brings about higher levels of motivation and engagement among language learners and leads to prolonged success and achievement. A summary of the major efforts regarding this area of research is presented in this study.

EL LE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Cucinotta

Motivation can determine success or failure in second language learning process, however there is a limited number of published investigations dedicated to motivational strategies in a European context. The purpose of the present study is to replicate Cheng’s and Dörnyei’s (2007) research to test the validity of their findings in a different cultural milieu. 101 foreign language (FL) and second language (L2) teachers were asked to rate a list of 47 motivational strategies according based on the degree of importance they perceived. In addition, they were also invited to specify how they acquainted with each strategy. The results of the study suggest that, even though the use of motivational strategies is decidedly context-dependent, the prevailing importance of some strategies might be cross-cultural. In particular, strategies related to classroom climate could also be considered as preconditions to employ further strategies. The highest-rated strategies are also indicated as acquired mostly through experience, which highlights the far too little attention that motivational strategies have so far received in education programmes for the formation of language teachers.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Qudsia Iqbal Hashmi

Main aim of the study was to explore and analyze the learning difficulties faced by Hindi and Urdu speaking-students in India and Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia. It is generally felt that learning of English varies in different context. Learners having background of Urdu, Hindi differ on account of learning achievements. Similarly those who enjoy more English learning environment may perform better than their counterparts. In order to carry out the study, three types of subjects were purpose. The study, though was descriptive-qualitative in nature, quantification was used to arrive at statistical inferences. The results indicated that most of the learner’s problems arose due to L1 interference on second language learning process.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 170
Author(s):  
Hendrikus Male

Anxiety has been a matter of substantial concern in foreign language (FL) learning setting for educators since it is a major obstacle learners need to overcome (Ellis, 2008; Wu, 2010).This study was aimed at finding out students’ language anxiety in learning the four language skills at a university level in English as a FL context. The participants were 71 students of the English education Department of Universitas Kristen Indonesia. Data was collected by administering a set of questionnaire. To support the data, interview was conducted to some of the respondents. Findings showed that the majority of the students were more anxious on writing skill, followed by reading, speaking and listening in their language learning process. It is highly recommended that the teachers or faculties be more creative in making the language skills classes atmosphere more fun and relaxing so that the students could achieve higher learning results. Keywords: anxiety, non-native learners, language learning process


Author(s):  
Anita Ferreira Ferreira ◽  
Jaime García Salinas ◽  
Sandra Morales

As Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) has taken an important role in foreign language teaching and learning, not only is concrete data about the usefulness of technology- mediated environments for these purposes necessary, but also how the learning process is improved in such environments when learner training for CALL. The objective of this paper is to present an investigation which sought to explore empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of a blended learning model, and also the use of language learning strategies in this kind of learning environment in order to increase its methodological potency with language learners. Consequently, this paper shows the findings of 2 experimental studies which aimed to provide data on (1) the efficiency of a blended learning (BL) model for language teaching and learning which combined task-based instruction, cooperative learning and optimal methodological principles for online learning (Doughty & Long, 2003), and (2) the use of learner training strategies for CALL in order to support and enhance the language learning process in this blended learning environment. The results from both studies suggest that the experimental group improved their language proficiency when compared to the control group. As a result, it is possible to conclude that (1) the blended learning design that included online tasks and cooperative instruction was beneficial for the development of language skills and (2) the use of learner training strategies for the blended learning model was highly beneficial for the students' language learning experience.


2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evriklea Dogoriti ◽  
Jenny Pange ◽  
Gregory S. Anderson

Purpose – The use of web-enhanced teaching of the English as a foreign language in higher education in Greece is addressed in this case study which examines the student's perceptions of online instruction using Moodle as a learning management system (LMS), with and without the use of Facebook (FB) as an adjunctive learning platform. The merging of this collaborative and interactive social platform with a LMS is explored, examining the attitudes of higher education foreign language learners toward Moodle as a LMS, and FB as an adjunctive informal learning environment. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Results are drawn from a pre-FB questionnaire after a term using Moodle only, and a post-FB questionnaire following a term using Moodle and FB. Findings – Results suggest that the use of web-based tools and social media changed the way students viewed the role of internet technology in the development of their English language learning. Most students (76 percent) agreed that the addition of FB to the course helped build a sense of community within a learning environment, while 69 percent suggested it enhanced the learning process. Originality/value – Results suggest FB may reinforce communication skills and engagement in the learning process and may support participation and collaborative learning in the formal learning environment provided by Moodle.


2006 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 55-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lies Sercu ◽  
Lieve De Wachter ◽  
Elke Peters ◽  
Folkert Kuiken ◽  
Ineke Vedder

Abstract It has been argued that tasks constitute a valid alternative unit to sequence the language learning process, as opposed to linguistically defined syllabuses. Implementing this claim presupposes that it is possible to assess the cognitive and linguistic demands of tasks, so that they can be sequenced in such a way that they optimally support and promote the L2 learning process. Knowing what demands a task will make opens up the possibility of using task design to manipulate the learner's attention between form and meaning in ways that may help interlanguage development. In this article, we present three empirical studies, which have tried to manipulate task complexity in order to study the effects of differing levels of task complexity on (L2) performance. We situate our studies within the Triadic Componential Framework for Task Design (TCFTD), elaborated by Robinson (1995; 2001; 2005) and interpret our findings in the light of two alternative theories, trying to explain effects on L2 performance arising from task manipulation, namely the Limited Attentional Capacity Model (Skehan & Foster 2001), and the Cognition Hypothesis (Robinson 2001; 2005). Apart from yielding evidence against or in favour of these theories, our studies demonstrate that manipulating L2 learners' attention while performing a task is anything but straightforward. The studies also illustrate how task conditions appear to interact with task complexity.


Author(s):  
Nur Cebeci

Linguistics as the study of the nature of languages has a visible impact on various fields such as education, language teaching, philosophy, computer science, and anthropology. However, the nature of language is a broad idea, which makes it hard to give a clear, simple definition. One of the most fundamental assumptions is the rule-governed feature of the human language interrelated with pronunciation, word formation, and grammatical construction. The aim of this chapter is to discuss how the rules of the language have an impact on foreign language learning process and how it affects foreign language learners' storing and processing the language in the brain. In doing so, some predetermined samples of lexical items and formal structures of language are analyzed in terms of the foreign language learners' cognition as prospective teachers of English in the teacher training process.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 22802291
Author(s):  
Wei Zhou

The present study provides both quantitative and qualitative analysis of the formation of language learners’ metacognition as the Mandarin-English college students in China. I hypothesized that language learning will be promoted by intervention of course teaching if students are trained to become more aware of and skillful at the use of metacognition strategies and other learning strategies that can be used in the language learning process. 3 of 115 freshmen from department of foreign language in Southwest Petroleum University are chosen to be subjects of the study. The result carries out to examine the intervention of strategy course on the formation of metacognition of English major freshmen in their language learning. The conclusions obtained from pre-interviews and post-interview have indicated that the subjects’ metacognition knowledge and metacognitive strategy use in language learning are conflicting. After the course, the metacognition of the subjects increased.


2011 ◽  
Vol 63-64 ◽  
pp. 94-97
Author(s):  
Gao Da He ◽  
Hui Chen

Handheld electronic devices promote M-learning greatly. Foreign language learners favour the learning environment in handheld electronic devices. The authors explore the features of language learning in handheld electronic devices from the prospective of language input theory.The paper discusses the comprehension, nature and authenticity, abundance and varieties in language learning with handheld electronic devices.


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