Orientations and Motivation in English Language Learning: a Study of Bangladeshi Students at Undergraduate Level
Title
Orientations and Motivation in English Language Learning: a Study of Bangladeshi Students at Undergraduate Level
Orientations and Motivation in English Language Learning: a Study of Bangladeshi Students at Undergraduate Level
Keywords: No Keyword
Authors
Sayeedur Rahman
Nanyang Technological University
Sayeedur Rahman
Nanyang Technological University
Bio Data
Sayeedur Rahman is currently a Ph.D. scholar in ELT at the Centre of Linguistics and English, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The author’s research interests include socio-linguistics, second language acquisition, acculturation, and bilingual education The author possesses a Masters in English Language and Literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University and has been teaching for the previous five years at the American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB) as a senior lecturer.
Abstract
This paper analyzes and determines the various socio-psychological orientations of the undergraduate students of private universities of Bangladesh towards learning English. The study focuses on the most important social psychological variables: attitude and motivation. The domain where English is used mostly, is also investigated to know the present linguistics reality of Bangladesh. The research ultimately shows that the learners in Bangladesh learn English for its ‘functional role’ i.e. for its utilitarian value. The use of English is very much domain-specific in Bangladesh. The author contends that the main problem lies with the socio-psychological factors of the learners that ultimately shape their idea about learning ‘English’. The investigation clearly shows that the learners learn English for ‘instrumental’ reason and as oppose to previous researches conducted in Bangladesh, proves ‘instrumental motivation’ as the dominant motivational orientation for the students to learn English. This study of the social-psychological variables of the students will possibly help us to identify the existing problems and may provide the right perspective for any FLT (foreign Language Teaching) situations in the country. Finally, some recommendations on future directions for this research area in Bangladesh have been highlighted.
This paper analyzes and determines the various socio-psychological orientations of the undergraduate students of private universities of Bangladesh towards learning English. The study focuses on the most important social psychological variables: attitude and motivation. The domain where English is used mostly, is also investigated to know the present linguistics reality of Bangladesh. The research ultimately shows that the learners in Bangladesh learn English for its ‘functional role’ i.e. for its utilitarian value. The use of English is very much domain-specific in Bangladesh. The author contends that the main problem lies with the socio-psychological factors of the learners that ultimately shape their idea about learning ‘English’. The investigation clearly shows that the learners learn English for ‘instrumental’ reason and as oppose to previous researches conducted in Bangladesh, proves ‘instrumental motivation’ as the dominant motivational orientation for the students to learn English. This study of the social-psychological variables of the students will possibly help us to identify the existing problems and may provide the right perspective for any FLT (foreign Language Teaching) situations in the country. Finally, some recommendations on future directions for this research area in Bangladesh have been highlighted.
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Category: Main Editions, Volume 7 Issue 1
