© 1999 by Oxford University Press
Articles |
Computer conferencing—does it motivate EFL students?
Lecturer in EFL at the University of Ulster. Her research interests currently include teachers‘ responses to EFL learners, written work, and the role of computer conferencing in improving second language proficiency. E-mail: B.Skinner{at}ulst.ac.uk
Director of the Telecommunications centre in the School of Education at the University of Ulster. He has published widely on the application of telematics to history teaching and in the development of a European dimension in teacher education. He is currently working on the role of computer conferencing in addressing controversial issues.
This paper explores the results obtained from using a computer network for real-time synchronous discussion in a course for students of English as a Foreign Language. The authors found that computer conferencing (CC) had noticeable effects on their students' motivation for language learning. Three reasons for motivation emerged from the students' responses to a survey: that CC provides an opportunity for ‘real’ communication and community, that it improves personal confidence, and that it encourages students to overcome writing apprehension. The article also reflects on the relationship these motives have with the intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation distinction in education generally, and with the traditional instrumental vs integrative classification of motivation in second language learning. It suggests that these motives may be able to contribute towards the support of newer classifications that have recently been proposed.