The relationship between motivational orientations and the performance of adult learners in second language learning

Abstract

Motivation in learning a second/foreign language (L2) has drawn scholars’ attention over decades. Among those researchers who dedicated a life time, investigating on this subject Robert Gardner is a pioneer. In 1979, Gardner proposed a socio-educational model of L2 learning which became the theoretical bases of many other remarkable studies (e.g., Gardner, 1985, 1988; Strong, 1984, Svanes, 1985, Clément, Dörnyei, & Noels, 1994, et.). In his model Gardner proposed two types of motivational orientation, namely, integrative versus instrumental. Integrative orientation is defined as learners’ positive attitude towards L2 community and its culture, while instrumental orientation is described as learners’ intention to learn a new language for its practical reasons such as job, or academic studies. According to Gardner and his associates (Gardner, 1985, 1988; Gardner & Lambert, 1972; Gardner & Smythe, 1975) integrative motivation is a better predictor of L2 achievement. It is based on this idea that this paper aims to found out the motivational orientation of adult L2 learners at C.V.O language center in Brussels. The correlation between the two types of orientation and the achievement in L2, as well as the association between some demographic variables such as age, gender, nationality, employment status, and motivational orientation are the mail focus of this study. The result showed a positive correlation between integrative orientation and achievement in L2, but a negative correlation between instrumental orientation and achievement. However, no significant difference was found when the mean scores of the two groups were compared, regarding the two variables. Furthermore, all demographic variables including age, nationality and employment status reported to have a significant association with motivational orientation, except for gender where no association was found.

Date of Award	2017
Original language	English
Supervisor	Chang Zhu (Promotor)