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ERIC Number: EJ1063082
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-4632
EISSN: N/A
Motivation and English Language Learning in a Multicultural University Context
Bensoussan, Marsha
Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, v36 n4 p423-440 2015
Israeli university students who have difficulty reading academic texts in English are required to take reading comprehension courses in English for academic purposes (EAP) in order to complete their BA degree. Whereas most students pass the courses, some repeatedly fail. Since Israel is a multilingual country, there is also a question about whether speakers of minority languages feel disadvantaged in comparison to speakers of the majority language (Hebrew). While research has been carried out on university students taking EAP courses, little is known about the connections between students' motivations and their attitudes toward university studies and language learning in a multicultural university context. A questionnaire was administered to 194 students with English as a foreign language (144 women and 50 men) born in Israel and abroad. Native languages (spoken until age 6) included Hebrew (62), Arabic (113), English (3), Russian (10), and Amharic/Tigrit (5), with a good deal of overlap. Results indicated the importance of motivational issues in language learning. Links were found among EAP course grades, attitudes toward university studies, and attitudes toward language learning and English. The differences of EAP course grades across native language did not appear to affect students' attitudes toward university or language study.
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Israel
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A