JoLIE 10:1/2017

 

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THE ROLE OF AGE IN STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION AND ACHIEVEMENT IN LEARNING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

 

 

Senad Bećirović

International Burch University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Remzija Hurić – Bećirović

First Bosniak Gymnasium Sarajevo, Cambridge International School, Bosnia & Herzegovina

 

 

 

Abstract

 

This study deals with the investigation of motivation and achievement of students learning English as a second language across different age. The sample of this research consists of 210 students aged ten, fourteen, and eighteen. In order to collect data on learners’ motivation, an adapted questionnaire consisting of 44 statements, constructed by Schmidt and Watanabe (2001) was used. The results demonstrate a significant relationship between age and motivation. The ten-year-olds had the highest motivation for learning English as a second language, while the eighteen-year-olds had the lowest motivation for learning English as a second language. The ten-year-olds also scored the highest achievement in learning English as a second language. Moreover, the results also show a significant data in measuring correlation between achievement and motivation. By using a Spearman’s correlation coefficient, a positive and a significant correlation between achievement and motivation have been revealed. The research results can be beneficial for teachers, parents, and students in finding the most effective approach to learning and teaching English as a second language.

 

Key words: Age; Achievement; Learning; Motivation; Correlation; Teaching; English as a Second language.

 

 

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How to cite this article: Bećirović, S., & Hurić – Bećirović, R. (2017). The role of age in students’ motivation and achievement in learning English as a second language. Journal of Linguistic and Intercultural Education – JoLIE, 10(1), 23-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29302/jolie.2017.10.1.2

 

 

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