Adolescent’s motivation and their perceptions of learning contexts of foreign language

Authors

  • Ana Raquel Abelha CAVENAGHI Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Centro de Letras e Ciências Humanas, Curso de Letras Espanhol, Departamento de Letras Estrangeiras Modernas.
  • José Aloyseo BZUNECK Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Centro de Educação, Comunicação e Artes, Departamento de Educação
  • Sueli Édi RUFINI Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Centro de Educação, Comunicação e Artes, Departamento de Educação

Keywords:

Achievement goals, Foreign language, Interest, Motivation

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate motivational orientations of 396 adolescents of public schools and their perceptions of their learning contexts. About half of the sample suited English as a compulsory language, while others studied Spanish as an elected language. Data were collected through a Likert-type self report questionnaire with questions related to mastery and work avoidance achievement goals, to perceptions of interesting classes and utility value. Results showed significant positive relations among mastery goal orientation and perceptions of interesting classes and utility, and negative relations among work avoidance goal orientation and those variables. Regression analyses showed that perceptions of interesting classes and utility value predict mastery goal orientation. Some significant differences aroused among students of the two learning contexts. Results were discussed in the light of motivational theories and some suggestions for new researches and for educational practices as well with adolescents were drawn

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Published

2013-09-30

How to Cite

CAVENAGHI, A. R. A., BZUNECK, J. A., & RUFINI, S. Édi. (2013). Adolescent’s motivation and their perceptions of learning contexts of foreign language. Psychological Studies, 30(3). Retrieved from https://periodicos.puc-campinas.edu.br/estpsi/article/view/8632

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Section

PSYCHOLOGY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING