The conventional psycholinguistic views of a strictly cognitive nature are reductive with respect to the complexity of the learning process. In language learning, motivation is viewed variously: (1) as a co-essential and equally powerful factor with linguistic aptitude and personality traits; (2) as arising from interaction between organism and…

The components of motivation in foreign language (FL) learning are examined as well as the effect of those components on certain language learning behaviors. Two basic assumptions are derived from the results of the study. These include the following: (1) Motivation in FL learning contexts (e.g., learning English in Hungary) is different in some…

This research examined the motivational effects of using variously captioned English language video materials in teaching university level language learners in Taiwan, focusing on the use of professionally produced video materials ("Always" and "Dead Poets Society") in the language laboratory as the central text. Designed to…

This study investigates the influences and relationships between self-concept elements and students' activities in a normal school environment and focuses on individual self-construct. Interest has an important effect on an individual's learning process and behavior. There are three common definitions of interest: (1) interest as a characteristic…

The development of an inventory of approaches to studying, undertaken at the University of Lancaster, is reported. Concepts such as motivation, study behavior, styles, and strategies are considered, the inventory scale is defined, and relationships between study strategies and academic performance are discussed. (Author/JMD)

Discusses the need to initiate intrinsic motivation in Japanese students in online higher education. Presents an overview of the online education process with constructivist learning theory, including various learning interactions; and describes sub-types of personal intrinsic motivation including challenge, fantasy, and curiosity. (Contains 62…

Policy discourse about lifelong learning has shifted from economic imperative to social and moral pursuit and intrinsic good. Despite this, the emphasis on technological solutions in Information Age discourse subjugates social, civic, and political concerns to an economic competitiveness rationale. (Contains 66 references.) (SK)

Provides an overview of recent advances in research on motivation to learn a foreign or second language (L2) and to create the theoretical context of the articles contained in this special issue of the journal. (Author/VWL)

Examined the magnitude of the contributions that motivation and attitudes make to achievement in the second language in he research conducted by Gardner and associates. Meta-analysis indicates the relationship of second language achievement to the five attitude/motivation variables from Gardner's socioeductional model. (Author/VWL)

Assessed Hong Kong tertiary students' readiness for learner autonomy in language learning by examining their views of their responsibilities and those of their teachers, their confidence in their ability to operate autonomously, and their assessment of their level of motivation to learn English. (Author/VWL)

An alternative approach to current epistemological views related to the psychology of second-language (L2) learning is presented. Attitude is described as a basic component of motivation for L2 learning, and theoretical considerations and research data are discussed in which L2 or diglossic/bilingual situations are involved. (15 references) (LB)

Examines the relationships among goal orientations, the use of cognitive strategies, and academic achievement for 234 undergraduate students at the United Arab Emirates University. Finds that performance-goal orientation had a negative effect on grade-point average (GPA), whereas learning-goal orientation had a positive effect mediated by…

Investigates the attitudes of Brazilian English-as-a-foreign-language learners toward the target language. The focus is on their perception of the importance of English as a language for international communication, the role of English within Brazil, and the learners' expectations of time and energy to be consumed in the learning of the language.…

Uses a cognitive motivation approach to view students' learning on Web-based instruction (WBI). Introduces the new CANE Model as a means for diagnosing motivation problems. Presents one WBI class at a teacher education institution in Taiwan as a case study to illustrate the process of how to diagnose motivation problems and find appropriate…

Discusses the articulation between teaching and learning, how to differentiate them, and how to establish relations between them as it pertains to aspects of knowledge. Aims to develop teaching situations more relevant to learning. Teaching is associated with knowledge to be taught, knowledge sequencing, and teaching situations. Learning is…