Academic Paper |
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| Title: | In Their Own Words: What ESL Students Write about Language Learning Motivation |
| Paper URL: | Request by e-mail |
| Author: | Lane Igoudin |
| Email: | click here to access email |
| Homepage: | http://languagearts.cypresscollege.edu/~aigoudin |
| Institution: | Cypress College |
| Linguistic Field: | Language Acquisition; Sociolinguistics |
| Abstract: | Few motivation studies to date have been qualitative; none so far have focused exclusively on the students' own accounts of their motivation for taking and staying in ESL courses. Yet much can be learned about what drives adult language learners to engage in formal academic activities, especially at a post-survival, advanced level. Using a group writing analysis method (rarely used in applied linguistics), this study examined 71 essays written on the topic of motivation for language learning in advanced writing courses at 3 community colleges. While some traditionally investigated motives like instrumental benefits, integrative aspirations, and communication needs were well represented, others, less researched, in particular, affective filter, came to the fore. In addition, student beliefs about self-efficacy, awareness of progress in L2 learning, and classroom socialization contributed to adult student motivation for L2 learning. Students also recognized the connection between learning ESL and acquiring specific academic skills needed for degree-earning classes. |
| Type: | Individual Paper |
| Status: | In Progress |
| Venue: | Presented at CATESOL 2009, Pasadena, Calif. |
| Publication Info: | Unpublished |
| URL: | Request by e-mail |
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