ERIC Number: EJ1391596
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1750-1229
EISSN: EISSN-1750-1237
Available Date: N/A
Profiling the Affective Characteristics of EFL Learners' Digital Informal Learning: A Person-Centered Approach
Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, v17 n3 p552-566 2023
Purpose: This study (1) used a person-centered approach to identify specific subgroups of 1,265 EFL learners who participated in Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) activities, and (2) looked at how different IDLE profiles are related to important affective variables. Design/Methodology: To identify IDLE profiles, we used cluster analysis. Findings: The L2 motivation, L2 enjoyment, L2 anxiety, and grit levels of the IDLErs with distinct profiles differed significantly. When compared to Profiles 1 (Minimal IDLErs: 33%), 2 (Gaming-Entertainment IDLErs: 16%), and 3 (Entertainment IDLErs: 30%), both Profile 4 (Maximal IDLErs: 11%) and Profile 5 (Entertainment-socializing IDLErs: 10%) demonstrated significantly higher scores on Ideal L2 self, L2 enjoyment-self, L2 enjoyment-others, L2 communication anxiety-offline, and Grit. Profiles 4 and 5 made full use of out-of-school digital environment, which provided several affective benefits for EFL learners. Originality/value: Methodologically, the analytical and statistical approach could help to move informal language learning research one step closer to being more person-centered. In practice, the various IDLE profiles identified in this study may be of interest to EFL teachers in order to better understand their students' IDLE activities outside of school and to inform classroom teaching and learning.
Descriptors: Affective Behavior, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, English (Second Language), Informal Education, Anxiety, Communication (Thought Transfer), Profiles, Learning Motivation, Personality, Resilience (Psychology), Self Concept, Scores, Comparative Analysis, Language Teachers, Learning Activities, Teaching Methods, Learning Processes, Computer Assisted Instruction, Student Attitudes, Computer Mediated Communication, Computer Games, Secondary School Students, College Students, Foreign Countries, Factor Analysis
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Korea
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A