1887

Abstract

This study investigates the attitude of the engineering students towards learning technical English for academic purposes and workplace. The paper analyzes the students' motivation for learning technical English and explores if academic standard and academic level have a role in motivating students to learn. The study particularly analyzes the source of their motivation: did the students put effort to learn technical English to maintain a high GPA or are they powered by their personal motivation? The study sample consisted of the technical writing engineering students in Summer I & II 2013 and Summer II 2014 in a local Lebanese university. A questionnaire to test their attitudes and motivation was developed, and used after piloting, as the instrument for data collection. Focused group interviews with each group to triangulate the findings were also conducted. Findings reveal that the participants of high academic standard have positive attitude towards technical English and believe it will further their status and employment chances while students of weak academic standard would rather learn English only as a means for communication (ELF). This becomes possible since ELF focuses on the function of the language- i.e. communicating the message across instead of stressing on accurate structure (Cogo, 2010). In this manner, students become users of the English language, not learners of the language. Proponents of ELF consider ELF speakers as users of English rather than learners (Björkman, 2011). Moreover, results reveal that there was a minor difference of attitude among the participants with respect to academic level.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/papers/10.5339/qproc.2015.elc2014.47
2015-08-29
2024-03-29
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/qproc/2015/4/qproc.2015.elc2014.47.html?itemId=/content/papers/10.5339/qproc.2015.elc2014.47&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Tavil Z. Parental Attitudes towards English Education for Kindergarten Students in Turkey. Kastamonu Education Journal. 2009; 17:1:331340, From: www.kefdergi.com/pdf/cilt17_no1/331.pdf .
    [Google Scholar]
  2. [21][28][29][69]Gardner R. Social psychology and second language learning: the role of attitude and motivation. London: Edward Arnold 1985.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. [70][76]Shams M. Students' attitudes, motivation and anxiety towards English language learning. Journal of Research. 2008; 2:2:121144.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Fakeye D. Students' Personal Variables as Correlates of Academic Achievement in English as a Second Language in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences. 2010; 22:3:205211.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. [9]Kara A. The Effect of a ‘Learning Theories’ Unit on Students' Attitudes towards Learning. Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 2009; 34:3:100113, From: http://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol34/iss3/5 .
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Eagly AH, Shelly C. Attitude structure and function. In: Gilbert DTFisk SLindsey G, eds. Handbook of social psychology. New York: McGouan-Hill 1998;:269322.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. [19]Baker C. Attitudes and language. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters Ltd. 1992.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Crystal D. A dictionary of linguistics and phonetics. (4th ed.). UK: Blackwell 1997.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Victori M, Lockhart W. Enhancing metacognition in self-directed language learning. System. 1995; 23::223234, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0346-251X[95]00010-H .
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Basturkmen H. Refining procedures: a needs analysis projects at Kuwait University. English Teaching Forum. 1998; 36:4:29.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Pendergrass N, Kowalczyk R, Dowd J, Laoulache R. Improving first-year engineering education. Journal of Engineering Education. 2001; 90:1:3341.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Pritchard M, Nasr A. Improving reading performance among Egyptian engineering students: principles and practices. English for Specific Purposes. 2004; 23:4:425445.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Joseba M. Student engineers, ESP courses, and testing with cloze tests. ESP World. 2005; 2:10.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Sidek S, Ramachandran S, Ramakrishan R. From students to students: adapting technical reports as classroom materials. In: Mukundan J, ed. Focus on ELT materials. Kuala Lumpur: Pearson Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. 2006;:152163.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Hui Z. Teaching technical English to engineering students. Sino-US English Teaching. 2007; 4:9, Retrieved on 15/9/2013 http://www.linguist.org.cn/doc/su200709/su20070910.pdf .
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Hohenthal A. English in India: loyalty and attitudes. Languages in India. 2003;, From http://www.languageinindia.com/may2003/annika.html .
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Hogan-Brun G, Romoniene M. Perspectives on language attitudes and use in Lithunia's multilinguial setting. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 2005; 26:5:425441.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. [37][39][41]Gardner R. Learning another language: a true social psychological experiment. Journal of Language and Social Psychology. 1983; 2::219240.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. [30][36]Gardner R. The socio-educational model of second language acquisition: a research paradigm. EUROSLA Yearbook. 2006; 6::237260.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. [31][32][33][35]Brown H. Principles of language learning and teaching. New Jersey: Prentice Hall 2000.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Ajzan I. Attitudes, personality and behavior. Chicago: Dorsey Press 1988.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Ghazali S, Setia R, Muthusamy C, Jusoff K. ESL Students' Attitude towards Texts and Teaching Methods Used in Literature Classes. English Language Teaching. 2009; 2:4:5156, From http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt/article/viewFile/4445/3786 .
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Lifrieri V. A sociological perspective on motivation to learn EFL: The case of escuelas plurilingües in Argentina. 2005;, M.A thesis, University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved from http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/7318/1/LIFRIERI_etd2005.pdf .
    [Google Scholar]
  24. [43]Cooper RL, Fishman JA. A study of language attitudes. In: Fishman JACooper RLCornd AW, eds. The spread of English. Rowley, MA: Newbury House 1977;:239276.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Wilkins D. Linguistics in language teaching. Cambridge: CPU 1972.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Spolsky B. Conditions for second language learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press 1989.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Crookes G, Schmidt RW. Motivation: reopening the research agenda. Language Learning. 1991; 41:4:469512.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. [47][49][63]Al-Tamimi A, Shuib M. Motivation and attitudes towards learning English: A study of petroleum engineering undergraduates at Hadhramout University of Sciences and technology. GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies. 2009; 9:2:2955, From www.ukm.edu.my/ppbl/Gema/pp%2029_55.pdf .
    [Google Scholar]
  29. [56][59]Alameddine M. Engineering students' attitudes towards technical English: the case of technical writing engineering students. Proceedings of 9th International WEFO International Conference. 2013;, Retrieved on 1/2/2014 from http://www.wfeo-ceie.org/File/WFEO_USB.pdf .
    [Google Scholar]
  30. [51][57]Alfawzan MM, Saudi students' attitudes towards the utility of English and their willingness to learn it. 2012;, MA Thesis submitted to Illinois University Carbondale. Abstract retrieved on 1/2/2014 from http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/782/.
    [Google Scholar]
  31. [53]Lai ML. Language attitudes of the first postcolonial generation in Hong Kong secondary schools. Language in Society. 2005; 34:3:363388.
    [Google Scholar]
  32. Majumder S. Language attitude of the Oriya migrant population in Kolkata. Language in India. 2005; 5::116, Retrieved on 10/9/2013 from http://www.languageinindia.com .
    [Google Scholar]
  33. Al-Mamun A, Rahman M, Rahman AR, Hossaim A. A. Students' attitudes towards English: The case of life science school of Khulna University. International Review of Science and Humanities. 2012; 3:1:200209, Retrieved on 1/2/2014 from http://irssh.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/20_IRSSH-264-V3N1.131231435.pdf .
    [Google Scholar]
  34. Al-Asmari AR. Saudi university undergraduates' language learning attitudes. International Journal of Asian Social Science. 2013; 3:11:22882306, Retrieved on 1/2/2014 from https://www.google.com.lb/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aessweb.com%2Fdownload.php%3Fid%3D2497&ei=V7z0UpbeGNOThgfg5oFo&usg=AFQjCNE60GfX2wmqTWKLtYL9fZz_AUixXg&sig2=JdSS6imtx94rjVD159D21g&bvm=bv.60799247,d.ZG4 .
    [Google Scholar]
  35. [62]Al-Oliemat A. Attitudes and motivations for learning Italian as a foreign language in Jordan. International Journal of Linguistics. 2013; 5:6:154170, Retrieved on 1/2/2014 from http://www.macrothink.org/journal/index.php/ijl/article/viewFile/4982/pdf_56 .
    [Google Scholar]
  36. [64]Qashoa S, Motivation among learners of English in the secondary schools in the eastern coast of the UAE. 2006;, M.A thesis, British University in Dubai. 2006. Retrieved on15/9/2013 from http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/thesis_Sulaiman_Hasan_Qashoa.pdf .
    [Google Scholar]
  37. Creswell J. Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill 2002.
    [Google Scholar]
  38. Silverman D. Doing qualitative research. A practical handbook. London: Sage Publications 2000.
    [Google Scholar]
  39. Boonrangsri K, Chuaymankhong D, Rermyindee N, Vongchittpinyo N, The attitude towards English language learning of the students in vocational certificate level under curriculum in 2002. 2004;, A Case Study of Ayutthaya Technical College studied by Naresuan University, Thailand.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. [73][74]Zainol Abidin MJ, Pour-Mohammadi M, Alzwari H. ELF students'attitudes towards learning English language: The case of Libyan secondary school students. Asian Social Science. 2012; 8:2:119135.
    [Google Scholar]
  41. Al-Nofaie H. Attitudes of Teachers and Students towards Using Arabic in EFL Classrooms in Saudi Public Schools- A Case Study. Research on Youth and Language. 2010; 4:1:6495, From: http://www.novitasroyal.org/Vol_4_1/al-nofaie.pdf .
    [Google Scholar]
  42. Shoaib A, Dornyei . Affect in lifelong learning: exploring L2 motivation as a dynamic Process. In: Benson PNunan D, eds. Learners' Stories: Difference and Diversity in Language Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2005;:2241.
    [Google Scholar]
  43. Cogo A. Strategic use and perceptions of English as a Lingua Franca. Poznań Studies in Contemporary Linguistics. 2010; 46:3:295312, URL: http://versita.metapress.com/content/t4274578759531p2/fulltext.pdf .
    [Google Scholar]
  44. Björkman B. English as lingua franca in higher education: Implications for EAP. Iberica. 2011; 22:79:100. From http://www.aelfe.org/documents/04_22_Bjorkman.pdf .
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/papers/10.5339/qproc.2015.elc2014.47
Loading
/content/papers/10.5339/qproc.2015.elc2014.47
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error