1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Nasrin Behnam; Zohreh Seifoori; Biook Behnam
Abstract
Although macrostrategies provide a broad framework for effective language teaching, research on how teachers’ experience in using these strategies affects students’ motivation is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between teachers’ use of macrostrategies and EFL ...
Read More
Although macrostrategies provide a broad framework for effective language teaching, research on how teachers’ experience in using these strategies affects students’ motivation is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between teachers’ use of macrostrategies and EFL learners’ motivation. Meanwhile, it investigated the effect of teachers’ experience on the use of these strategies on EFL learners’ motivation. To this end, 42 Iranian EFL teachers (21 experienced and 21 novice) and 42 EFL learners were chosen from language institutes in Tabriz and Shahin Dej. The data were collected through the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) and Macrostrategy Observation Form. The results of the Spearman correlation showed a significant and positive relationship between the use of macrostrategies by teachers and their students' motivation. Meanwhile, Mann-Whitney U test revealed a significant difference in motivational levels between students taught by experienced teachers and those taught by novice ones. These findings have important implications for EFL teachers, EFL students, teacher educators, and syllabus designers, suggesting that teacher experience may play a key role in motivating learners.
1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Michael Amory; Mariana Lima Becker
Abstract
Research on motivation in second language (L2) learning has progressed tremendously over the last several decades. Within the recent trend to investigate the socially situated context of motivation and the role of social processes in shaping individual L2 motivation, Sociocultural Theory (SCT) and Complexity ...
Read More
Research on motivation in second language (L2) learning has progressed tremendously over the last several decades. Within the recent trend to investigate the socially situated context of motivation and the role of social processes in shaping individual L2 motivation, Sociocultural Theory (SCT) and Complexity / Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST) stand out in their contributions. Although researchers have attempted to combine SCT and CDST, there is an ongoing debate in the field of Applied Linguistics regarding the general compatibility of these two traditions. This article consists of a critical literature and theoretical review concerning how SCT, focusing on Activity Theory (AT), and CDST, focusing on the L2 Motivational Self System, address L2 motivation. We argue that SCT and CDST appear to be compatible superficially, since both portray L2 motivation as dynamic, complex, and arising through interactions between individuals and their environments. However, through a more in-depth examination, fundamental differences emerge not only in the context of L2 motivation, but also in the guiding theoretical principles of each research tradition. Ultimately, and arguing from an SCT perspective, we offer a critique of CDST and posit that these theories are not commensurable in their view of L2 motivation or in general.
1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Mehri Mokhtarzadeh; Hadi Farjami; Monireh Mokhtarzadeh
Abstract
The present study investigates the potential impact of inspirational quotes on improving English abstract vocabulary recall. To achieve this, a multiple-choice Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT) of 60 items including vocabulary and grammar component was administered as the proficiency test to a sample ...
Read More
The present study investigates the potential impact of inspirational quotes on improving English abstract vocabulary recall. To achieve this, a multiple-choice Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT) of 60 items including vocabulary and grammar component was administered as the proficiency test to a sample of 63 second-semester male and female students aged 18 to 22, studying English Translation in Semnan University, Iran. The 40 upper-level language students were selected and randomly assigned into two groups of 20 as an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was exposed to inspirational quotes for one month and the control group was instructed abstract vocabularies through plain sentences. At the end of the treatment, a cued recall achievement test was used to measure the participants’ immediate recall of the target words. Two weeks after the treatment, the same test was administered to explore the delayed recall of participants and to estimate the effect of inspirational quotes on long term recall of abstract vocabulary by the experimental group compared with that of the control group. Analysis of immediate and delayed cued recall achievement tests confirmed the hypotheses that inspirational quotes had a significant effect on both immediate and delayed recall of abstract vocabulary. Based on these findings it is concluded that inspirational quotes can be utilized not only as a supportive context for teaching and learning of abstract vocabulary but also as motivational, emotional, and meaningful pedagogical sources.
1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Sajjad Sherafati; Narjes Ghafournia
Abstract
The current study was an attempt to investigate the relationship among L2 Motivational Self-System, Reading Comprehension Ability, and Gender of Iranian EFL Learners. 70 participants of both male and female at intermediate level at Shokooh Institute in Kashmar-Iran were randomly selected. The instruments ...
Read More
The current study was an attempt to investigate the relationship among L2 Motivational Self-System, Reading Comprehension Ability, and Gender of Iranian EFL Learners. 70 participants of both male and female at intermediate level at Shokooh Institute in Kashmar-Iran were randomly selected. The instruments of the study were a L2 motivational self-system questionnaire by Yan(2011), and a reading comprehension test. The questionnaire consists of 61 questions, based on six-point scale from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree". The reading comprehension test was extracted from the texts in VOA special English website. The obtained data were analyzed through descriptive analysis and Pearson Correlation coefficient. The data were fed into SPSS 22, followed by employing T-test, Shapiro-Wilk and Levene's test. The findings revealed a positive relationship between L2 motivational self-system and reading comprehension ability and also a negative relationship between L2 Motivational self-system and the gender of EFL learners. The findings have some useful pedagogical implications for language teachers and syllabus designers that can be taken into account in teacher-training programs.
1. Applied Linguistics (Language Teaching and Learning)
Fereshteh Asadzadian; Ghader Asadzadian
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the Canonical analysis of the relationship between personality traits and attitude with motivation and EFL learners’ written production task. This research in terms of data collection procedure is a correlation type. The statistical population consisted ...
Read More
The purpose of this study was to investigate the Canonical analysis of the relationship between personality traits and attitude with motivation and EFL learners’ written production task. This research in terms of data collection procedure is a correlation type. The statistical population consisted of the students who were selected by random cluster sampling method. Data were analyzed using standard questionnaire of motivation, attitude, and personality traits, and analyzed by SPSS software using statistical tests. The results of correlation analysis of variables showed that there is a significant positive correlation between personality traits with motivation and written skills. It was also determined that attitudes with motivation and written skills predict a positive and significant relationship. Finally, the results of this study can be a very clear perspective for planners and trainers of writing skills training courses to pay more attention to non-cognitive and attitudinal variables such as personality traits and learners’ motivation in English language classes.
