...Hugvísindasvið Second Language Acquisition The Effect of Age and Motivation Ritgerð til BA prófs Einar Garibaldi Stefánsson Maí 2013 Háskóli Íslands Hugvísindasvið Enska Second Language Acquisition The Effect of Age and Motivation Ritgerð til BA prófs í ensku Einar Garibaldi Stefánsson Kt.: 030382-4209 Leiðbeinandi: Ásrún Jóhannsdóttir Maí 2013 Abstract This paper looks into the competence of second language acquisition by investigating how second language is acquired. Furthermore it explores the age factor in learning another language other than mother tongue and also attempts to answer if there is enough current evidence that can demonstrate clearly that starting young makes any real difference in achieving better language competence. Moreover, research such as on motivation in relation to the learning environment along with language exposure and attitudes will be discussed and data analysed to find out if it plays any significant role in aiding learners to achieve successful second language competence. It has been a common belief that starting young to learn a second language makes a significant difference in language learning. However, results indicate that this is not entirely true in all cases since there are further factors that affect successful second language acquisition achievement such as language exposure and motivation. Consequently, if there is not enough language exposure, this might prevent the learners from succeeding in learning the language. Clearly, those...
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...Motivation 1 Motivation and Its Role in Language Acquisition Robert A. Cote SLAT 596Y Dr. Linda Waugh December 15, 2004 Motivation 2 “Motivation represents one of the most appealing, yet complex, variables used to explain individual differences in language learning” (MacIntyre et al. 2001, p. 462). These words succinctly describe the multifaceted issue that researchers, classroom instructors and language learners themselves have faced since Gardner and Lambert brought to light the complexities of motivation via their studies in the late 1950’s. The number of factors involved in motivating persons to acquire a foreign language has increased tremendously during the past four decades and attempting to address all of these components in one paper is impractical. The author will therefore attempt to present a limited overview of motivation, supporting research from both inside and outside of the classroom and views challenging its validity. Prior to exploring motivation and its function in language acquisition, one must first understand the term in its general sense. MacIntyre et al. defined motivation as “an attribute of the individual describing the psychological qualities underlying behavior with respect to a particular task” (2001, p. 463). This goal-directed behavior shows itself through distinct actions of the motivated individual. Dörnyei described this explicitly when he wrote the following: The motivated individual expends effort, is persistent...
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...University of Calcutta Dr. Paromita Ghosh, for her inspiration and moral support. I am also thankful to all my samples without whose active participation my dissertation cannot be completed. Date:……………………. ……………………. Baisakhi Ghosh CONTENT S.L No. Title Page No. ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to find out the factors influencing second language learning among the undergraduate college students. A comparison was made between students who have studied in Bengali medium and those who have studied in English medium schools. To serve the purpose 60 respondents [40 female students and 20 male students of age group from 18 to 21 yrs] were selected purposively. Standardized questionnaires on Achievement Motivation, English Language Achievement and Personality were used. Data were collected from different colleges. After scoring the responses, the data were analysed by using Mean,...
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...Habbits to Academic Performance Hugvísindasvið Second Language Acquisition The Effect of Age and Motivation Ritgerð til BA prófs Einar Garibaldi Stefánsson Maí 2013 Háskóli Íslands Hugvísindasvið Enska Second Language Acquisition The Effect of Age and Motivation Ritgerð til BA prófs í ensku Einar Garibaldi Stefánsson Kt.: 030382-4209 Leiðbeinandi: Ásrún Jóhannsdóttir Maí 2013 Abstract This paper looks into the competence of second language acquisition by investigating how second language is acquired. Furthermore it explores the age factor in learning another language other than mother tongue and also attempts to answer if there is enough current evidence that can demonstrate clearly that starting young makes any real difference in achieving better language competence. Moreover, research such as on motivation in relation to the learning environment along with language exposure and attitudes will be discussed and data analysed to find out if it plays any significant role in aiding learners to achieve successful second language competence. It has been a common belief that starting young to learn a second language makes a significant difference in language learning. However, results indicate that this is not entirely true in all cases since there are further factors that affect successful second language acquisition achievement such as language exposure and motivation. Consequently, if there is not enough language exposure, this might prevent the learners from...
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...interest among students from various courses aside from TESL programme in learning English has become a major concern among English language lecturers because the students are supposed to excel in this subject since the medium of instruction in UNISEL is in English. If the UNISEL students were tested on their attitudes and motivation toward learning English Language, will the same results prevail? There have been some opinions that if a student does not feel the need of acquiring the second language to function either within or outside his/her community, most probably this student will have a negative attitude and will not be interested in learning the. The objectives of this study are two-folds, namely to identify the learners’ motivation, whether it is extrinsic or intrinsic. The term motivation is based on the Latin verb for “move”, which denotes direction, duration and intensity in achieving their aim or goals. Intrinsic motivation is characterized as more of a self-determined event where learners take responsibility for their own learning and have more of a sense of control that cause people to challenge themselves, just as young children do when exploring or encountering a new object for the first time. In the second language acquisition field, intrinsic motivation can be stimulated when teachers become more of a manager or facilitator of language learning so that the students become more inclined to set...
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...Task 1: Choose the appropriate connectives below to fill in the blanks in the following text and put them in the boxes (2 x 10 = 20 pts). 1. Consequently 2. However 3. It is undeniable that 4. also 5. Secondly 6. In addition 7. In conclusion 8. To begin with 9. One 10. thereby Advantages and Disadvantages of Globalization Globalization is such a commonly used term in the twentieth century. It simply means that the world has become integrated economically, socially, politically and culturally through the advances of technology, transportation and communication. __ (a) __ globalization has resulted in both positive and negative effects which must be addressed accordingly. __ (b) __, globalization has contributed to the world’s economies in many beneficial ways. The advances in science and technology have allowed businesses to easily cross over territorial boundary lines. __ (c) __ , companies tend to become more productive and competitive, __ (d) __ raising the quality of goods, services and the world’s living standard. __ (e) __, several companies from the more developed countries have already ventured to establish foreign operations or branches to take advantage of the low cost of labor in the poorer countries. This kind of business activity will provide more influx of cash or investment funds into the less developed countries. __ (f) __ , one cannot deny the negative effects which have derived from globalization. __ (g) __ crucial social aspect is the risk and danger of epidemic...
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...Foreign Language Annals Á vol. 43, No. 1 27 Language-Learning Motivation During Short-Term Study Abroad: An Activity Theory Perspective Heather Willis Allen University of Miami Abstract: This study investigated the development of language-learning motivation during short-term study abroad (SA) for six intermediate-level students of French. Taking an activity theory perspective, findings demonstrated that one of two orientations motivated participants to study or continue studying French at the college level: linguistic motives or career-oriented motives. The choice to study abroad was seen as either a critical step to achieving fluency or a means of travel and cultural learning. Enhanced language-learning motivation emerged to varying degrees for participants with linguistically oriented motives for learning French who viewed SA as a languagelearning experience but not for participants with primarily pragmatic reasons for learning French and participating in SA. Implications of the study include the need for curricular intervention in student learning abroad. Key words: French, activity theory, learning motivation, second language learning, self-regulation, study abroad Introduction From the 1960s through the mid-1990s, research on study abroad (SA) largely supported the notion that it is an ideal means of learning a foreign language. Moreover, foreign language professionals often impart this view to students, typically based on their own successful if not life-transforming...
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...Theory of Teaching Discussion Questions for Chapter 3: Individual differences in second Language Learning Research on learner characteristics 1. It is difficult to assess the influence that people characteristics have on the development of L2 learning because these are rust labels for an entire range of behaviors and characteristics, characteristics such as these are not independent of each other. Another difficulty is how language proficiency is defined and measured. 2. It would help us to understand better the way us humans learn. Intelligence 3. I think it is because learner’s strengths and weakness in these different aptitude components may account for their ability to succeed in different types of instructional programs. People who have high IQ would feel more compatible with grammar lessons and the students who have more communicative approach feel better in audio-lingual methods. Aptitude 4. Abilities targeted by language aptitude test are irrelevant for the language acquisition in communicative language teaching. I disagree with this statement because Leila Ranta (2002) found that children who were good at analyzing language were the most successful learners in an English second language program in which activities almost never involved direct attention to grammar. 5. Wesche (1981): Reported a high level of students and teacher satisfaction when students were matched with compatible teaching environments. Erlam(2005): She found that the learners...
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...important language skills learners need to know is the main way to get learner language input. Carrell (1989) considered the four basic skills of reading is the most important skill. In second language learning, individual differences in motivation is the most influential factor of learners. Skehan (1989) believe that motivation is second only to the Academic most powerful predictor of learning outcomes; Gardner (1985) believes that it is one of the four main effects of learning individual differences factor. Wigfield and Guthrie (1995) believes that language learning motivation to some extent, with specific areas related to (domain-specific). For example: a person is motivated to listen or speak English, but do not necessarily have the motivation to read in English. If a child's reading motivation levels increase the amount and breadth of his reading will improve (Wigfield & Guthrie, 1997); if the amount and breadth of reading to improve children's learning will make greater achievements (Anderson, Wilson & Fielding, 1988). Reading is not only a multi-level cognitive activities, emotional or a procedure body and consciousness penetration. Complex factors that influence reading comprehension, both objective factors, but also the main factor. Currently researchers attach great importance to non-intelligence factors, which is regarded as a key factor in reading motivation, more relevant research. Gardner pointed out the social language learning motivation, the motivation for language...
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...2.3 Ways of Improving the Performance of English and Literature among Students in Secondary Schools For a long time, motivation is generally involved with English as foreign language teachers and researchers have been attempting to sustain students’ motivation in learning English by knowing their English learning motivation types and factors which influence their supporting motivation in the long process of English and literature learning is still in requirement of investigation (Lei, 2012). If students are strongly motivated, they will enjoy learning the language; need to learn the language and attempt to learn the language (Sakiroglu & Dikilitas, 2012). Moreover, motivation has usually been considered to be the key concept in the learning of foreign language (Klimova, 2011). The researcher adds on that if students are strongly motivated, they will enjoy learning the language, need to learn the language and even attempt to learn the language. For example giving incentives to students who excel in English language tend to encourage learners to enroll for English and Literature subjects in institutions of higher learning. Several strategies to help teachers lighten the culture load for students. Teachers should treat English learners with respect, not judgmental, and try to build personal relationships with students, their families and communities. Teachers can use information gained through these relationships to develop lessons and activities that help students understand the...
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...Motivation: The Forgotten Tool Motivation: The Forgotten Tool By Consuelo Moran EDCI 6304 Learning & Cognition (Fall 2007) School of Education University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College Literature Review Motivation. The importance of motivation is widely known, however, the high drop-out rates in our school and low test scores at our schools suggest that maybe we have all forgotten just how important motivation is. “High motivation and engagement in learning have consistently been linked to reduced dropout rates and increased levels of student success” (Halwah, 2006, p.1). Literature has shown that “student's motivation for learning is generally regarded as one of the most critical determinants, if not the premier determinant, of the success and quality of any learning outcome” (Halwah, 2006, p.3). Therefore, motivation as well as the relationship between motivation and academic achievement need to be studied as well. This study will discuss motivation in details through my personal experience with motivation and the significance it plays in learning. This research offers an insight to the age-old question of how we should get our school children to learn and keep them from dropping out of school. Many children, especially adolescence, often believe that they know everything and they have no need to learn something new. Lack or motivation is derived from this exact sentiment which impedes the learning process. “If there really is no need to acquire anything...
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...A concise, brief summary of chapter 6 from Psychology for language teachers What makes a person want to learn? Motivation in language learning Motivation is one of the crucial factors influencing learning. It simply means the want to learn. Motivation overlaps with interest, curiosity and desire to achieve. In a cognitive approach to motivation, the focus is upon ways in which individuals make sense of their own learning experiences. It says that individuals are motivated initially by their conscious thoughts and feelings. Psychological approaches to learning have changed so noticeably in recent years. If we broaden a cognitive perspective on motivation, we can reach to what is meant by social constructivist view. Early psychological views on motivation Behaviorists did lots of researches in laboratories and clearly observed what animals behaved in order to meet their needs and generalized these phenomena to human beings: Dog bell salivation searching food meeting biological needs According to the above mentioned model, behaviorists believed that motivation should be considered in terms of biological needs i.e. what biological needs have to be met during the early learning stages. Also the kind of reward or reinforcement is very important. In other words behaviorist sought to define motivation just in terms of external forces. They only believed that some special circumstances...
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...Consolidating Grammar in Lower Secondary School. The aim of the project: To check the effectiveness of Community Language Learning in consolidating grammar in a non-threatening atmosphere and through whole person learning. Justification of the aim: As Stevick (1990) claims it is very disturbing and confusing for students when the teacher is continually browbeating him for every error. An appropriate response to it is an assumption of CLL inventor who “(...)builds his approach on the conviction that nonthreatening counselling relationship between the teacher and the learner is the perfect concept for whole-person learning.” (Dakowska 2007: 77). The aim of this project is to examine whether this assumption facilitate learning which should come naturally and easily. THEORETICAL PART 1. Community Language Learning 1.1 An outline of the method (history, origin and inventor) 1.2 Basic assumptions (a general characteristic of CLL and a description of the main assumptions ) 1.3 Techniques and teaching activities (a general description of CLL techniques) 1.4 Teacher and learner roles (a description of attitudes, functions and roles of the teachers and the learners; the nature of student-teacher interaction) 2. Teaching grammar 2.1 The notion of grammar 2.1.1 Defining grammar 2.1.2 The role of grammar in language teaching 2.2 Different methods of teaching grammar (teaching grammar from rules (deductive learning – pros and cons), from examples...
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...This essay will explore the five hypotheses that comprise Stephen Krashen’s model for second language learning. It will define each hypothesis and discuss a number of practical implications of Krashen’s model for the classroom. The implications will focus primarily on the “Input Hypothesis” and the “Affective Filter Hypothesis” which are the cornerstones of his model. This essay will also briefly discuss some criticisms of the model. Krashen’s Theory for Second Language Acquisition Krashen’s theory consists of five hypotheses: 1) The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis; 2) The Natural Order Hypothesis; 3) The Monitor Hypothesis; 4) The Input Hypothesis; 5) The Affective Filter Hypothesis. The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis states that second language learners develop their ability in the second language in two ways: acquisition and learning. Acquisition is generally subconscious. People are not usually aware of their increasing proficiency. They acquire a “feel” for the language and have little conscious knowledge of the rules of that language. Learning, on the other hand, is a more formal process which is aided by rules and error correction. Krashen (1994) summarizes: “In everyday terms, acquisition is picking up a language. Ordinary equivalents for learning include grammar and rules” (p.52). The Natural Order Hypothesis states that “students acquire (not learn) grammatical structures in a predictable order” (p.52). In other words, some structures are acquired...
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...Perception of STPM students towards learning English as second language. Contents Background 2 Statement of the Problem 4 Purpose of the Study 5 Literature Review 5 Theoretical Framework : Strategy learning of Language 5 Motivation control 7 Cognition 8 The Research Questions 9 Motivation for the Research 10 Methodology 10 Research Design 10 Population and Sample 11 Instrumentation 12 Data Collection and Procedure 13 References 14 Background English is one legacy of more than a century worth of British colonial rule in Malaysia. It stands as most important foreign language in Malaysia and used extensively for all aspects of daily life, from handling business transactions until producing written advertisement jingles. English language plays a vital role in binding together a multicultural nation made up three unambiguous races which is Malays, Chinese and Indians. These groups differ in appearance and mother tongue that relies on shared language to communicate outside of their ethnic group. Despite its history, Malaysia has recently seen a sharp decline in English language proficiency (Murugesan, 2003), which has triggered implementation of certain measures calculated to prevent this recurrence. Where, the ministry of education has implemented Science and Mathematics teaching in English Language since year 2003 (ministry of education, 2014). There was a lot of attempt especially from Malay...
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