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Examining University Students’ Attitudes towards Learning English Using Different Variables

Year 2016, Volume: 7 Issue: 3, 12 - 20, 15.12.2016

Abstract

This study aimed to understand if the students’ attitudes towards learning English show significant differences in terms of gender, language level, receiving English preparatory training, and the kind of high school they graduated from. The study was carried out in the descriptive survey model. The research group included 320 male (65.6 %) and 168 female (34.4 %) English preparatory students at Istanbul Technical University. The Attitudes towards English Scale was used as the data collection tool. Data were analysed using independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. According to t-test and ANOVA results, it can be said the university students’ attitudes towards learning English are not affected by gender, receiving preparatory training, language level and high school differentiation. 

References

  • Ahmed, S. (2015). Attitudes towards English language learning among EFL learners at UMSKAL. Journal of Education and Practice. 6 (18), 6-17.
  • Aiken, L. R. (1979). Attitudes toward mathematics and science in Iranian middle schools. School Science and Mathematics, 79 (3), 229-234.
  • Akay, E., & Toraman, Ç. (2015). Students’ attitudes towards learning English grammar: A study of scale development. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 11 (2), 67-82.
  • Al Samadani, H. A., & Ibnian, S. S. (2015). The Relationship between Saudi EFL students’ attitudes towards learning English and their academic achievement. International Journal of Education and Social Science, 2 (1), 92-102.
  • Bagheri, M., & Andi, T. (2015). The relationship between medical student’s attitude towards English language learning and their English language proficiency. ICT & Innovations in Education- International Electronic Journal, 3 (1), 7-19.
  • Bond, M. H., Leung, K., Au, A., Tong, K. K., & Chemonges-Nielson, Z. (2004). Combining social axioms with values in predicting social behaviours. European Journal of Personality, 18, 177-191.
  • Bristi, N. L. (2015). Bangladeshi Engineering EFL learners’ attitudes towards learning English: A comparison between public university and private university students. Global Journal of HUMAN-SOCIAL SCIENCE: G Linguistics & Education, 15 (11), 7-16.
  • Cakıcı, D. (2001). The attitudes of university students towards English within the scope of common compulsory courses. Unpublished Master Thesis, Dokuz Eylul University, Turkey.
  • Csızér, K., & Dörnyei, Z. (2005). The internal structure of language learning motivation and its relationship with language choice and learning effort. The Modern Language Journal, (89), 19-36.
  • Dehbozorgi E. (2012). Effects of attitude towards language learning and risk-taking on EFL students’ proficiency. International Journal of English Linguistics, 2 (2): 41-48. doi:10.5539/ijel.v2n2p41
  • Fakeye, D. (2010). Students’ personal variables as correlates of academic achievement in English as a second language in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 22 (3), 205-211.
  • Gardner R. (1980). On the validity of affective variables in second language acquisition: Conceptual and statistical considerations. Language Learning, 30 (2), 255-270. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-1770.1980.tb00318.x
  • Gardner, R. C. (2005). Integrative motivation and second language acquisition. Paper presented at the Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics, London, Ontario, Canada.
  • Gardner, R., & Lambert, W. (1972). Attitudes and motivation in second language learning. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.
  • Gomleksiz, M. N. (2010). An evaluation of students’ attitudes toward English language learning in terms of several variables. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 9, 913-918.
  • Graham, J. (2004). Giving up on modern foreign languages? Students’ perceptions of learning French. The Modern Language Journal, 88, 171-191.
  • Guryay, B. (2016). Individual variables, attitudes towards English and being a teacher: A study on prospective teachers of English. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 3 (2), 14-23.
  • Hohenthal, A. (2003). English in India: Loyalty and attitudes. Language in India, 1-107.
  • Jahin, J. H., & Idrees, M. W. (2012). EFL major student teachers’ writing proficiency and attitudes towards learning, English. Umm Al-Qura University Journal of Educational & Psychologic Sciences, 4 (1), 10-72.
  • Johnson, Y. (2012). Attitudes towards EFL learning and extensive reading in Japanese engineering students. Japanese ELT Journal, 10, 65-81.
  • Kara, A. (2009). The effect of a ‘Learning Theories’ unit on students; attitudes towards learning. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 34 (3), 100-113.
  • Karahan, F. (2007). Language attitudes of Turkish students towards the English language and its use in Turkish context. Journal of Arts and Sciences, 7, 73-87.
  • Levine, G. (2003). Student and instructor beliefs and attitudes about target language use, first language use and anxiety: Report of a questionnaire study. Modern Language Journal, 87 (3), 343-364.
  • Kiziltan, N., & Atli, I. (2013). Turkish young language learners’ attitudes towards English. Hacettepe Universitesi Egitim Fakultesi Dergisi, 28 (2), 266-278.
  • Masgoret, A., & Gardner, R. (2003). Attitudes, motivation, and second language learning: A meta-analysis of studies conducted by Gardner and associates. Language Learning, 53, 167-210.
  • Momani, M. (2009). The Jordanian secondary stage student’s achievement in reading comprehension according to their views towards learning English as a foreign language. Journal of Human Sciences, 42, 1-36.
  • Montano, D. E., & Kasprzyk, D. (2008). Theory of reasoned action, theory of planned behavior, and the integrated behavioral model. In K. Glanz, B. Rimer & K. Viswanath (Eds.), Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice. San Francisco, CA: JosseyBass, 67-96.
  • Razy, O., & Amer, N. M. B. (2016). Pilot study: An investigating proficiency learners’ attitudes towards English language learning. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 5 (2), 115-128.
  • Shams, M. (2008). Students’ attitudes, motivation and anxiety towards English language learning. Journal of Research, 2 (2): 121-144.
  • Smith, N. (1971). The importance of attitude in foreign language learning. Modern Language Journal, 55 (2), 83-88.
  • Soleimani, H., & Hanafi, S. (2013). Iranian medical students’ attitudes towards English language learning. International Research Journal of Applied and Basic Sciences, 4 (12), 3816-3823.
  • Starks, D., & Paltridge, B. (1996). A note on using sociolinguistic methods to study non-native attitudes towards English. World Englishes. 15 (2), 217-224.
  • Tella, J., Indoshi, F. C., & Othuon, L. A. (2010). Relationship between students’ perspectives on the secondary school English curriculum and their academic achievement in Kenya. Educational Research, 1 (9), 390-395.
  • Tetik, Nuray. (2016). Tourism guidance students' attitudes towards the English language course. International Journal of Education and Research, 4 (3): 271-284.
  • Tunc, O. (2003). Use of language learning strategies in relation to student characteristics at Baskent University. Yayimlanmamis Yuksek Lisans Tezi, Orta Dogu Teknik Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitusu, Ankara.
  • Victori, M., & W. Lockhart, (1995). Enhancing metacognition in self-directed language learning. System, 23, 223-234.
  • Wenden, A. (1991). Learner strategies for learner autonomy. London: Prentice Hall.
  • Zeinivand, T., Azizifar, A., & Gowhary, H. (2015). The relationship between attitude and speaking proficiency of Iranian EFL learners: The case of Darrehshehr City. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 19, 240-247.
Year 2016, Volume: 7 Issue: 3, 12 - 20, 15.12.2016

Abstract

References

  • Ahmed, S. (2015). Attitudes towards English language learning among EFL learners at UMSKAL. Journal of Education and Practice. 6 (18), 6-17.
  • Aiken, L. R. (1979). Attitudes toward mathematics and science in Iranian middle schools. School Science and Mathematics, 79 (3), 229-234.
  • Akay, E., & Toraman, Ç. (2015). Students’ attitudes towards learning English grammar: A study of scale development. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 11 (2), 67-82.
  • Al Samadani, H. A., & Ibnian, S. S. (2015). The Relationship between Saudi EFL students’ attitudes towards learning English and their academic achievement. International Journal of Education and Social Science, 2 (1), 92-102.
  • Bagheri, M., & Andi, T. (2015). The relationship between medical student’s attitude towards English language learning and their English language proficiency. ICT & Innovations in Education- International Electronic Journal, 3 (1), 7-19.
  • Bond, M. H., Leung, K., Au, A., Tong, K. K., & Chemonges-Nielson, Z. (2004). Combining social axioms with values in predicting social behaviours. European Journal of Personality, 18, 177-191.
  • Bristi, N. L. (2015). Bangladeshi Engineering EFL learners’ attitudes towards learning English: A comparison between public university and private university students. Global Journal of HUMAN-SOCIAL SCIENCE: G Linguistics & Education, 15 (11), 7-16.
  • Cakıcı, D. (2001). The attitudes of university students towards English within the scope of common compulsory courses. Unpublished Master Thesis, Dokuz Eylul University, Turkey.
  • Csızér, K., & Dörnyei, Z. (2005). The internal structure of language learning motivation and its relationship with language choice and learning effort. The Modern Language Journal, (89), 19-36.
  • Dehbozorgi E. (2012). Effects of attitude towards language learning and risk-taking on EFL students’ proficiency. International Journal of English Linguistics, 2 (2): 41-48. doi:10.5539/ijel.v2n2p41
  • Fakeye, D. (2010). Students’ personal variables as correlates of academic achievement in English as a second language in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 22 (3), 205-211.
  • Gardner R. (1980). On the validity of affective variables in second language acquisition: Conceptual and statistical considerations. Language Learning, 30 (2), 255-270. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-1770.1980.tb00318.x
  • Gardner, R. C. (2005). Integrative motivation and second language acquisition. Paper presented at the Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics, London, Ontario, Canada.
  • Gardner, R., & Lambert, W. (1972). Attitudes and motivation in second language learning. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.
  • Gomleksiz, M. N. (2010). An evaluation of students’ attitudes toward English language learning in terms of several variables. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 9, 913-918.
  • Graham, J. (2004). Giving up on modern foreign languages? Students’ perceptions of learning French. The Modern Language Journal, 88, 171-191.
  • Guryay, B. (2016). Individual variables, attitudes towards English and being a teacher: A study on prospective teachers of English. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 3 (2), 14-23.
  • Hohenthal, A. (2003). English in India: Loyalty and attitudes. Language in India, 1-107.
  • Jahin, J. H., & Idrees, M. W. (2012). EFL major student teachers’ writing proficiency and attitudes towards learning, English. Umm Al-Qura University Journal of Educational & Psychologic Sciences, 4 (1), 10-72.
  • Johnson, Y. (2012). Attitudes towards EFL learning and extensive reading in Japanese engineering students. Japanese ELT Journal, 10, 65-81.
  • Kara, A. (2009). The effect of a ‘Learning Theories’ unit on students; attitudes towards learning. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 34 (3), 100-113.
  • Karahan, F. (2007). Language attitudes of Turkish students towards the English language and its use in Turkish context. Journal of Arts and Sciences, 7, 73-87.
  • Levine, G. (2003). Student and instructor beliefs and attitudes about target language use, first language use and anxiety: Report of a questionnaire study. Modern Language Journal, 87 (3), 343-364.
  • Kiziltan, N., & Atli, I. (2013). Turkish young language learners’ attitudes towards English. Hacettepe Universitesi Egitim Fakultesi Dergisi, 28 (2), 266-278.
  • Masgoret, A., & Gardner, R. (2003). Attitudes, motivation, and second language learning: A meta-analysis of studies conducted by Gardner and associates. Language Learning, 53, 167-210.
  • Momani, M. (2009). The Jordanian secondary stage student’s achievement in reading comprehension according to their views towards learning English as a foreign language. Journal of Human Sciences, 42, 1-36.
  • Montano, D. E., & Kasprzyk, D. (2008). Theory of reasoned action, theory of planned behavior, and the integrated behavioral model. In K. Glanz, B. Rimer & K. Viswanath (Eds.), Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice. San Francisco, CA: JosseyBass, 67-96.
  • Razy, O., & Amer, N. M. B. (2016). Pilot study: An investigating proficiency learners’ attitudes towards English language learning. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 5 (2), 115-128.
  • Shams, M. (2008). Students’ attitudes, motivation and anxiety towards English language learning. Journal of Research, 2 (2): 121-144.
  • Smith, N. (1971). The importance of attitude in foreign language learning. Modern Language Journal, 55 (2), 83-88.
  • Soleimani, H., & Hanafi, S. (2013). Iranian medical students’ attitudes towards English language learning. International Research Journal of Applied and Basic Sciences, 4 (12), 3816-3823.
  • Starks, D., & Paltridge, B. (1996). A note on using sociolinguistic methods to study non-native attitudes towards English. World Englishes. 15 (2), 217-224.
  • Tella, J., Indoshi, F. C., & Othuon, L. A. (2010). Relationship between students’ perspectives on the secondary school English curriculum and their academic achievement in Kenya. Educational Research, 1 (9), 390-395.
  • Tetik, Nuray. (2016). Tourism guidance students' attitudes towards the English language course. International Journal of Education and Research, 4 (3): 271-284.
  • Tunc, O. (2003). Use of language learning strategies in relation to student characteristics at Baskent University. Yayimlanmamis Yuksek Lisans Tezi, Orta Dogu Teknik Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitusu, Ankara.
  • Victori, M., & W. Lockhart, (1995). Enhancing metacognition in self-directed language learning. System, 23, 223-234.
  • Wenden, A. (1991). Learner strategies for learner autonomy. London: Prentice Hall.
  • Zeinivand, T., Azizifar, A., & Gowhary, H. (2015). The relationship between attitude and speaking proficiency of Iranian EFL learners: The case of Darrehshehr City. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 19, 240-247.
There are 38 citations in total.

Details

Journal Section Articles
Authors

Hakan Karatas

Bulent Alci

Mehtap Bademcioglu This is me

Atilla Ergin

Publication Date December 15, 2016
Published in Issue Year 2016 Volume: 7 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Karatas, H., Alci, B., Bademcioglu, M., Ergin, A. (2016). Examining University Students’ Attitudes towards Learning English Using Different Variables. International Journal of Educational Researchers, 7(3), 12-20.