scholarly journals Chinese Learners of Portuguese and Spanish Majors in Macau: A Comparative Case-Study of Motivation Aspects

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Oksana Kharlay ◽  
Martin Bagheri ◽  
Jeremy D. Philips
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Language Community ◽  
Language Learning Motivation ◽  
Chinese Learners ◽  
Integrative Motivation

This study investigated multiple learning motivation aspects of Chinese university students in Macau majoring in Spanish and Portuguese. A mixed methods research was employed by using questionnaires and interviews. 181 learners (96 Portuguese and 85 Spanish majors) were surveyed about ten language-learning motivation dimensions by using a questionnaire. A subset of participants from questionnaires were later given follow-up interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data indicated that the students in these majors had strong intrinsic motivation but limited integrative motivation towards the target language community. Other motivational pull-factors were the heritage connection between the language and the place of study and interest in the pop-culture associated related to the target language. Students reported a decline in motivation during the middle years of study, however, Spanish students’ interest resurged by the end of year three. There was also a gender imbalance, suggesting that career-related aspects of motivations were stronger among males. The results also revealed that language learners had an ideal-self that was multilingual and cosmopolitan but did not aspire to integrate into a specific target-language community.

scholarly journals INTERNATIONAL POSTURE, INTEGRATIVENESS AND L2 MOTIVATION IN THE SERBIAN EFL CONTEXT

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (48) ◽  
pp. 337-350
Author(s):  
Anica Radosavljević Krsmanović ◽  
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Target Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Language Community ◽  
L2 Motivation ◽  
Language Learning Motivation ◽  
International Posture

In line with globalization, the development of bicultural identities and the emergence of English as a world language, the notion of “World English identity” or “international posture” has emerged, defined as the concept of English language separated from its native communities and cultures. As a means of explaining how an individual tends to relate oneself to the global community rather than any particular geographical or cultural entity, international posture has been regarded as an alternative to the notion of integrativeness or an interest in learning a foreign language in order to identify with a specific language community. Previous research has demonstrated that the lack of identification with native speakers and their cultures is an important motivating factor for English language learners in various contexts. The aim of the study is to determine which factor is a more significant predictor of English language learning motivation, international posture or integrativeness, in Serbia, that is, in the context with limited contact with the target language community. For this purpose, we conducted a survey with non-English major university students. The method of data collection involved a questionnaire survey aimed at examining the students’ international posture, integrativeness and their English language learning motivation. The results indicated that both international posture and integrativeness are predictors of the participants’ motivation for English language learning, while the concept of international posture proved to be a more significant source of the learners’ motivation. The present findings provide important insights into the nature of L2 motivation of the participants, thus carrying some pedagogical implications.

An Investigation of the Relationship between Pragmatic Competence and Motivation for Non-English Majors

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 1308
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Language Learning Motivation ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The Relationship

Language is used for communication. Pragmatic competence, which is essential in English teaching, is an important component of communicative competence. The development of pragmatic competence will enhance that of foreign language learners’ communicative competence. This study discusses the relation between pragmatic competence and language learning motivation. Results show that students’ general pragmatic competence is at a low level. Most of the subjects hold instrumental motivation as their dominant motivation. Significant correlation has been found between pragmatic competence and language learning motivation (r=.582; p=.000). According to the survey results, the author provides several suggestions on cultivating and maintaining learners’ motivation in their pragmatic learning.

Hubungan Tahap Motivasi Dengan Strategi Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab Dalam Kalangan Pelajar Sekolah Menengah Agama Terengganu

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamarul Shukri Mat Teh ◽  
Mohamed Amin Embi ◽  
Nik Mohd Rahimi Nik Yusoff ◽  
Zamri Mahamod
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Arabic Language ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Language Learning Motivation ◽  
Language Learning Strategy ◽  
Level Of Motivation

Beberapa kajian menunjukkan penggunaan Strategi Pembelajaran Bahasa (SPB) dipengaruhi oleh Motivasi Pembelajaran Bahasa (Oxford dan Nyikos, 1989; Prokop, 1989; Okada et al. 1999). Kertas ini memerihalkan dapatan kajian mengenai penggunaan SPB oleh pelajar bahasa Arab berdasarkan tahap motivasi pembelajaran bahasa. Subjek kajian yang dipilih secara rawak terdiri daripada 457 orang pelajar di 13 buah sekolah menengah agama di Terengganu. Data dikumpulkan dengan menggunakan soal selidik yang diubah suai daripada SILL (Oxford, 1990) dan bahagian soal selidik motivasi daripada Affective Survey (Ehrman & Oxford, 1991). Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa tahap motivasi pelajar adalah sederhana dan pelajar bermotivasi tinggi lebih kerap menggunakan SPB berbanding pelajar bermotivasi rendah. Kata kunci: Strategi pembelajaran bahasa; motivasi pembelajaran bahasa; bahasa Arab; sekolah menengah agama A few studies have indicated that use of Language Learning Strategy (LLS) was influenced by language learning motivation (Oxford dan Nyikos, 1989; Prokop, 1989; Okada et al. 1999). This paper reports on one study that sets out to investigate the employment of LLS by students of Arabic language based on level of language learning motivation. A total of 457 students from thirteen Religious Secondary Schools in Terengganu participated in this study. Data was collected by using a questionnaire adapted and modified from SILL (Oxford, 1990) and Language Learning Motivation part of the Affective Survey (Ehrman & Oxford, 1991). The results indicate that students were moderately motivated and language learners with higher level of motivation use LLS more frequently than less motivated language learners. Key words: Language learning strategies, language learning motivation; Arabic language, religious secondary school

Language Learning Motivation: A Comparative Study between English and Mandarin Language Learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Siti Faridah Kamaruddin ◽  
Ting Hie Ling ◽  
Aisyah Nazamud-Din
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Quantum Leap ◽  
Language Learning Motivation ◽  
Mandarin Language

English as a Second Language (ESL) is a term which is broadly used in Malaysia’s educational system. Mandarin, on the other hand, is only used among Chinese community and not many non-Chinese know and use Mandarin language as their communication tools among themselves. However, due to the rapid development of economy in China, the interest in Mandarin language learning is becoming prominent. In Malaysia, a country which has developed a tight diplomatic and economic relationship with China since 1976, the interest in learning Mandarin as a Foreign Language (MFL) among the non-Chinese learners is also growing where there is a quantum leap of Mandarin learners at tertiary level (Teow, Ismail, Foo & Ho, 2016). Students in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) are offered with both English as a Second Language (ESL) and Mandarin as a Foreign Language (MFL) courses. It means that students must learn English and Mandarin simultaneously especially for Diploma students and Degree students. Understanding how the motivation to learn each language might vary within a certain socio-political context is worth exploring, as it may help lecturers working within that context to motivate their students to learn the language more effectively. Moreover, it is reasonable to assume that the different languages learned might trigger different emotional responses from learners (Humphreys & Spratt. 2008). In relation to this, it is important to examine the differences of students’ ESL and MFL learning motivation. This study employed a quantitative research design which emphasized on data collection from students who studied ESL and MFL.

Beyond Questionnaires

2004 ◽  
Vol 143-144 ◽  
pp. 89-107
Author(s):  
Bayram Peköz
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Psychological Approach ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Observation Scale ◽  
Language Learning Motivation ◽  
Attitude And Motivation

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate language learning motivation within an educational approach. Within this framework, the present study investigated learners’ actual classroom motivation as opposed to GARDNER’s (1985) self-report motivation. Two AMES (Adult Migrant English Service) classes were observed for 11 weeks each, totalling 72 hours altogether. The observations were carried out through an observation scale designed to rate learners’ motivation. A questionnaire which was based on GARDNER’s (1985) ‘Attitude and Motivation Index’ was also administered to test Gardner’s socio-psychological approach to second language (SL) motivation. The study confirmed the hypotheses, which had predicted that there was no relationship between a) attitudes towards the target language commulllty and actual classroom motivation; and b) self-report motivation and observed classroom motivation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document