Original scientific paper
Motivation of Adult Learners of English in the Context of Globalization
Katica Balenović
orcid.org/0000-0002-9534-875X
; Učiteljski fakultet u Rijeci, Odsjek u Gospiću
Abstract
The motivation of adult English language learners in the context of globalisation is examined in this report. The initial hypothesis states that adult learners’ decisions to learn English are related to the students’ needs to communicate in English in the context of its use in all aspects of everyday life due to the process of globalisation. The study comprised 100 adult participants attending an English language course in two different socio-economic regions (Gospić, Rijeka). The aim was to find in what way the obtained orientations
reflect the process of globalisation, both in large and small communities.
The findings identified four types of orientation among adult learners: affective-cultural, communicative-integrative, professional and instrumentaltechnological orientation. The results also showed that the most important orientation to the participants is affective-cultural, followed by professional, instrumental-technological and, finally, communicative-integrative. These results seem to be in accordance with the emphasis of the importance and need of knowing English in the process of globalisation, where English has emerged as a global language.
Keywords
motivation; adult learners; English language; globalisation
Hrčak ID:
82733
URI
Publication date:
15.4.2011.
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