Exploring the Connection Between Learner Interest and Group Cohesion in a Taiwanese EFL Classroom

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Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Gardner, Rod
Other Supervisors
Woolley, Gary
Year published
2012
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
English language education in Taiwan is highly valued and supported by
educators and government policy makers. In response to the need to promote English
language knowledge and skills within Taiwanese schools, language teachers are
always considering how to improve materials and teaching methods to motivate
students’ positive engagement. Student motivation has been held to promote learning
in ways that shape how individuals respond during learning activities. Over the past
three decades, a number of motivational constructs have been well documented that
guide researchers in understanding the conceptual and procedural knowledge ...
View more >English language education in Taiwan is highly valued and supported by educators and government policy makers. In response to the need to promote English language knowledge and skills within Taiwanese schools, language teachers are always considering how to improve materials and teaching methods to motivate students’ positive engagement. Student motivation has been held to promote learning in ways that shape how individuals respond during learning activities. Over the past three decades, a number of motivational constructs have been well documented that guide researchers in understanding the conceptual and procedural knowledge of motivation. Among the many constructs, interest is of considerable importance for educators, because interest-based engagement provides a direct link between interest and school learning by motivating those that are normally academically unmotivated. The benefits of interest-based learning in educational settings have been investigated from different approaches. For example, individual interest is conceptualized to be internally activated, whereas situational interest is environmentally or externally activated. Researchers have also suggested that student interest in learning is not only related to individual dispositions but is also related to environmental factors. This is an indication that both individual and situational interest may result in the facilitation of enhanced cognitive functioning and improved learning.
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View more >English language education in Taiwan is highly valued and supported by educators and government policy makers. In response to the need to promote English language knowledge and skills within Taiwanese schools, language teachers are always considering how to improve materials and teaching methods to motivate students’ positive engagement. Student motivation has been held to promote learning in ways that shape how individuals respond during learning activities. Over the past three decades, a number of motivational constructs have been well documented that guide researchers in understanding the conceptual and procedural knowledge of motivation. Among the many constructs, interest is of considerable importance for educators, because interest-based engagement provides a direct link between interest and school learning by motivating those that are normally academically unmotivated. The benefits of interest-based learning in educational settings have been investigated from different approaches. For example, individual interest is conceptualized to be internally activated, whereas situational interest is environmentally or externally activated. Researchers have also suggested that student interest in learning is not only related to individual dispositions but is also related to environmental factors. This is an indication that both individual and situational interest may result in the facilitation of enhanced cognitive functioning and improved learning.
View less >
Thesis Type
Thesis (Professional Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Education (EdD)
School
School of Education and Professional Studies
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Subject
English language education in Taiwan
English language study and teaching in Taiwan
English as a second language