Motivation and Attitudes toward Learning English in an Internet-Based Informal Context: Perceptions of Iranian University Students
Title
Motivation and Attitudes toward Learning English in an Internet-Based Informal Context: Perceptions of Iranian University Students
Motivation and Attitudes toward Learning English in an Internet-Based Informal Context: Perceptions of Iranian University Students
Keywords: motivation, informal learning contexts, computer-mediated communication
Authors
Kobra Jamshidi
Researcher, Tehran, Iran
Kobra Jamshidi
Researcher, Tehran, Iran
Bio Data
Kobra Jamshidi is an independent researcher with a MA in TEFL and a BA in English literature from Allameh Tabatabai University. Kobra has taught general English courses at Imam Sadigh University, and General English, Reading Comprehension, General Linguistics, Teaching Methodology, & Research Methodology at Tehran Tarbiat Moallem University.
Abstract
The present study examines how Iranian university students are motivated to learn L2 in informal contexts and whether they have integrativeness and attitudes toward the Internet-based informal context as necessary attitudinal foundations to sustain motivation. The data were gathered from 108 participants by means of Gardner, Tremblay and Masgoret s (1997) version of the AMTB to investigate the participants motivation and attitudes. A second questionnaire was developed to explore the characteristics of the Internet that may contribute to participants attitudes toward the Internet-based informal context. The results indicated that the participants were moderately motivated to learn EFL in this informal context, and had positive attitudes toward the use of the Internet which is recognized as an attitudinal foundation to support their motivation. It was also found that these attitudes are significantly correlated with computer and Internet self-efficacy. The findings provide information about the characteristics of the Internet that would facilitate second language teachers endeavors to integrate the Internet into their pedagogical practice.
The present study examines how Iranian university students are motivated to learn L2 in informal contexts and whether they have integrativeness and attitudes toward the Internet-based informal context as necessary attitudinal foundations to sustain motivation. The data were gathered from 108 participants by means of Gardner, Tremblay and Masgoret s (1997) version of the AMTB to investigate the participants motivation and attitudes. A second questionnaire was developed to explore the characteristics of the Internet that may contribute to participants attitudes toward the Internet-based informal context. The results indicated that the participants were moderately motivated to learn EFL in this informal context, and had positive attitudes toward the use of the Internet which is recognized as an attitudinal foundation to support their motivation. It was also found that these attitudes are significantly correlated with computer and Internet self-efficacy. The findings provide information about the characteristics of the Internet that would facilitate second language teachers endeavors to integrate the Internet into their pedagogical practice.
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Category: Monthly Editions, Volume 58
