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Article published In: ITL - International Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 129/130 (2000) ► pp.141–168

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Attitudes and Motivation of Turkish EFL Students towards Second Language Learning

 | Bogaziçi University (Turkey)
Published online: 1 January 2000
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https://doi.org/10.1075/itl.129-130.01kiz
This paper presents the results of a study of the influence of attitudes and motivation on the acquisition of English by Turkish students. It investigates the following factors : attitudes. towards the British and Americans; motivational intensity; interest in English and foreign languages in general; instrumental and integrative orientation; anxiety in English classes; family encouragement; the English teacher and course.
Results indicate that students are highly motivated instrumentally as well as integratively although a moderate interest in the-British and the American community and culture is reported. Respondents' motivational intensity is high, their attitudes towards learning English and languages in general are positive. They do not show anxiety in class and their families are very supportive. Results about their attitudes towards their English teachers and courses vary according to the school they attend. Implications for EFL/ESL classrooms are also discussed at the end of the paper.
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