Summarizes the literature on self-evaluation of foreign language skills and points out that, although some research results are contradictory, both teachers and researchers could benefit from the use of Krashen's Monitor Model/theory that influences students' motivation and self-estimates of foreign language ability. (Author/CB)

Presents an instrument that provides insight into elementary children's perceptions of their self-efficacy in the performance of academic activities. Finds the scale to be reliable and positively correlated with grade achievement. Describes applications for the instrument in classroom-level action research, program-evaluation research, and formal…

This report describes a program for improving motivation in eighth grade, first-year Spanish classes in a growing middle and upper class, predominantly Caucasian suburban community of northern Illinois. Survey results confirmed that students' enthusiasm for foreign language study decreased dramatically once the novelty of learning Spanish had worn…

A study investigated the writing motivation of 145 third- and fifth-grade students. Because self-perceived competence and task value interact in important ways to influence an individual's motivation, these two constructs were used as the basis for measuring children's motivation to write. Students responded to the Motivation to Write Scale (MWS),…

A practicum was designed to increase the amount of recreational reading by secondary school students, and to improve students' attitude toward reading, thus decreasing disruptive behaviors in the classroom. A whole language workshop approach was implemented over an 8-month period in two high school English classes, grades 10 and 11, college…

This report describes the development of a project designed to enable high risk high school students to acquire the skills necessary to create computer art. The project was based on a perceived need for the development of a curriculum in computer graphics that would motivate high risk students to acquire skills that could lead to a long term…

Under Phase II of the Immigration Reform and Control Act, eligible legalized aliens (ELAs) can become lawful permanent residents (LPRs) if they demonstrate English language competency or show that they are satisfactorily pursuing a course of study to obtain English language skills. Certain English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs have been…

In 1991, a study was conducted to collect information regarding problems that graduates of two-year colleges with Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees encountered when transferring to four-year institutions. The study was motivated by an increasing number of A.A.S. degree recipients who were transferring to bachelor's programs even though…

A practicum intervention was designed to increase the motivation of seventh graders in a small, non-urban school system in the southeastern United States. Many of these students exerted little effort to succeed in school by completing homework, studying lessons, and participating in classroom activities. A series of staff development workshops…

A review of literature on the subject of student motivation identified five areas which could be used to increase motivation among students: (1) using an incentive program; (2) using "fun" or "unusual" activities to motivate students; (3) goal setting; (4) students motivating other students; and (5) using parents to motivate students to learn.…

A study was conducted to (1) identify obstacles to self-directed learning, (2) develop strategies to overcome them, and (3) identify the self-directed learning readiness level of two groups of employees for possible clues in improving self-directed learning in the Phoenix Air Guard. The study used two group processes (the Delphi technique with a…

This study of motivational differences in the school situation and the development of a sensation-seeking scale of preadolescent children rests upon an interactive psycho-biological theory formulated by Farley (1981). Stimulation-seeking and arousal in relation to instructional features are central concepts. As a point of departure for the…

Questionnaires were submitted to students in all but two of the secondary schools in London (Ontario) to discover why students who are either taking or not taking physical and health education (P.H.E.) courses made these decisions and their opinions on P.H.E. Students answered some personal questions and some questions about their prior experience…

To determine the crucial factors affecting student performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in Manatee County (Florida) public schools, researchers sent questionnaires to students who had completed the SAT in the years 1977 through 1980. Of 887 students sent the questionnaire, 188 returned responses in time for tabulation. This small…

In a study of masters program course work, questionnaires were sent to masters degree candidates in history at the University of New South Wales and at Macquaire University. Responses from 45 students were analyzed to determine who was attracted to the program and why, the expectations of the students, the organization of the program, and the…