Learner Attitudes Toward Studying English in a Rural Japanese University: Motivation, WTC, and Preferences for Instructional Activities

Abstract

This study is a multi-faceted analysis of the English learning motivation of one particular population: first-year non-English-major Japanese university students in a rural area of Japan. In addition to traditional motivation measures, measures of group dynamics thought to be relevant to classroom motivation and L2 Willingness to Communicate (WTC),which has recently caught interest both as an influence on and valued outcome of second language (L2) learning, were also included. The participants' English proficiency was measured with the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). The participants were 238 Economics and Management majors enrolled in required English courses. They completed a 44-item L2 motivation and preferences for instructional activities questionnaire, a 30-item L2 WTC questionnaire, and the TOEIC. A factor analysis was performed to determine the internal structure of the motivation and preferences for instructionl activities variables. A Rasch rating-scale analysis was conducted to estimate the strength of the components by calibrating person measures for each variable for this sample Motivational Intensity, Intergroup Approach Tendency, Necessity of English and Instrumental Orientation emerged as motivational components, and Group Cohesion, Preference for a Student-Centered Approach, Enjoyment of Group Activities, and Study Habit Preference emerged as preference for instructional activities components. To determine the effects of the motivational and preferences for instructional activities components on proficiency and L2 WTC, multiple regression analyses were performed. One motivation component (Motivational Intensity) and one preference for instructional activities component (Study Habit Preference) contributed to predicting proficiency. For L2 WTC, Intergroup Approach Tendency and Preference for a Student-Centered Approach were statistically significant predictors. Next, a profile analysis was conducted to determine the differences in motivational and preferences for instructional activities tendencies at low, medium, and high levels of proficiency and L2 WTC. No notable differences in profiles emerged for the three proficiency levels, but significant differences emberged among three levels of L2 WTC groups. Overall, the set of analyses provide an in-depth understanding of the motivation of university-aged Japanese learners of English in a rural area. Teachers of these and similar students can adapt their practices to match and expand the preferences of these learners, and researchers in the future can apply this research strategy to different populations.