PAC7 at JALT2008 Proceedings Article Data

Article title, keywords, abstract, and writer profiles

Title:
A Change of Heart: Motivation and Studying Abroad

Keywords:
motivation, study abroad

Abstract:
This paper is a pre-test and post-test longitudinal study into the effects of studying abroad based on two types of motivation and international posture. Thirty-one high school students were given a questionnaire in January to measure for these variables. After returning from a short summer home stay, the identical survey was given again in September, including a qualitative survey to determine reasons for any motivational changes. Quantitative data results from the survey showed some changes in motivation and international posture in the study group. Results showed extrinsic motivation (EMV) increased 6%, intrinsic motivation (IMV) increased 8%, and international posture (INP) increased by 9%. These results were not statistically significant. Two distinct types of international posture were discovered: passive and active. Moreover, qualitative data revealed a desire to speak more English, yet at the same time, a hesitancy to initiate L2 conversations.

Writer profiles:
Douglas Meyer is a recent graduate of Temple University Japan's Applied Linguistics program and a full-time instructor at Momoyama Gakuin high school in Osaka. His interests are in motivation, technology and language learning, and extensive reading. He is also active in JALT and professional development.

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