Modelling motivation and engagement in informal language learning

25th February 2019 : 12:45 - 14:00

A part of the Quantitative Methods Hub Seminar Programme HT 2019

During the Quant Hub on February 25th, Henriette Arndt (DPhil student at the Department of Education) will introduce her research on the informal second language practices of secondary school students in Germany. The field of Informal Second Language Learning (ISLL) is dedicated to studying the nature and impact of language contact through (mostly digital) resources which were not specifically designed for learning, such as films and TV series, music, video games, and social networking sites. A majority of prior studies have found a positive correlation between the time learners spend on informal practices and their second language proficiency, although considerable individual and group differences have also been recorded regarding this relationship.

Henriette’s study employs the framework of student engagement (comprising behavioural, cognitive, affective, and linguistic aspects) in an attempt to provide deeper insight into the nature of German students’ informal language contact and its impact on students’ proficiency, motivation, and attitudes towards language learning. Data was collected from 354 students via questionnaires and language tests. This presentation will give an overview of the various statistical techniques used in analysing this data, focusing specifically on the insights gained from employing both so-called ‘variable centred’ and ‘person centred’ methods (e.g. Structural Equation Modelling and Latent Profile Analysis).

About the Department of Education

In 2019, the University of Oxford’s Department of Education celebrates the 100th year since the passing of a statute creating what was known in 1919 as the University Department for the Training of Teachers. To celebrate our centenary a year-long series of activities will be delivered to address some of the department’s top initiatives for 2019, answer some of the big questions facing education today and to reveal the advancements the department has made to the study of and research in the field of education. Join us as we mark our 100th year and discover more about our anniversary here.

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