Investigating Dynamic Relationships Among Individual Difference Variables in Learning English as a Foreign Language in a Virtual World

by Mariusz Kruk

Overview

This book focuses on the dynamic relationships among individual difference (ID) variables (i.e., willingness to communicate, motivation, language anxiety and boredom) in learning English as a foreign language in the virtual world Second Life. The theoretical part provides an overview of selected issues related to the four ID factors in question (e.g., definitions, models, sources, types, empirical investigations). The empirical part reports the findings of a research project which aimed to examine the changing nature of WTC, motivation, boredom and language anxiety experienced by six English majors during their visits to the said virtual world, the main contributors to the changes in the levels of the constructs under investigation, as well as their relationships. The book closes with the discussion of directions for further research as well as pedagogical implications.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030652715
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	01/20/2022
Series:	Second Language Learning and Teaching
Edition description:	1st ed. 2021
Pages:	148
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mariusz Kruk, University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland.

Table of Contents

1. ​The constructs of willingness to communicate, motivation, boredom and language anxiety: Overview of selected issues.- 2. Empirical investigations into WTC, motivation, boredom and language anxiety in traditional and digital contexts.- 3. Design of the study.- 4.Findings of the study.- 5. Conclusions, pedagogical implications and directions for future research.