Students’ English Learning Motivation and Anxiety at a Sport University in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Yueh-Wen Kao, 高悅文
• Other Authors: Hsiang-I Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/17688511274855209646

碩士 === 銘傳大學 === 應用英語學系碩士在職專班 === 103 === In recent years, Taiwan has promoted participation in international sports events. Hence, English proficiency of students is highly valued. However, research related to English learning motivation and learning anxiety among students with sporty background is still insufficient. Using 388 sophomore students from a sports university in Taiwan, this study explored the levels of English learning motivation and anxiety based on their gender, with or without sports specialty, and international competition experience. Questions for data collection were adapted from the Foreign Language Learning Motivation Scale and Foreign Language Learning Anxiety Scale. Background information was also collected. It was found that students possessed low motivation and high anxiety in English learning. Few significant differences in English learning motivation and anxiety exist among students from different gender or with various experience of attending overseas competitions. The results of this study suggest that English teachers at sports universities need to employ varied class activities and strategies aimed at the particular English learning needs of students who major in other fields. These efforts at increased proficiency can elevate learning motivation and lower language anxiety of students in order to increase their English proficiency to the desired level for communicative ability at international sports competitions.