The doctoral dissertation in the field of General Linguistics will be examined at the Philosophical Faculty at Joensuu campus.
What is the topic of your doctoral research? Why is it important to study the topic?
This doctoral research examines the motivation of Turkish high school students to learn English. Although English plays an important role in education, employment, and international communication, many learners struggle to maintain motivation throughout their school years. The study investigates how factors such as future self-images, learning experiences, anxiety, and cultural interest relate to English learning and academic achievement. The study contributes to a better understanding of the factors that influence English learning and provides guidance on how students can be better supported in their language learning journey.
What are the key findings or observations of your doctoral research?
The study shows that positive learning experiences and a clear vision of oneself as a future English user are the strongest factors associated with English achievement. In contrast, anxiety may be associated with lower levels of achievement. The findings also reveal five distinct motivational learner profiles. This suggests that learners have different motivational needs and may benefit from different forms of support. In addition, motivation varies according to age, gender, and geographical background. Based on data from 3,631 Turkish high school students, the study provides an in-depth picture of English learning motivation in Turkey.
How can the results of your doctoral research be utilised in practice?
The findings can help teachers, schools, and policymakers develop more effective ways to support English learning. The study suggests that positive learning experiences, meaningful classroom activities, and students’ future visions of themselves as proficient English users may improve motivation and achievement. It may also help educators recognize and address language anxiety and adapt support to different groups of learners. More broadly, the research provides practical guidance for creating learning environments that support motivation, engagement, and achievement in English.
What are the key research methods and materials used in your doctoral research?
The study is based on survey data collected from 3,631 Turkish high school students from different regions of Turkey. The questionnaire examined several aspects of English learning motivation, including learning experiences, future self-images, anxiety, effort, and cultural interest. The data were analyzed using a range of quantitative research methods. Confirmatory Factor Analysis validated the measurement model, Structural Equation Modeling examined relationships among motivational factors and English achievement, and Latent Profile Analysis identified distinct motivational learner profiles. The study provides a comprehensive examination of English learning motivation among Turkish high school students.
Further information: Deniz Özel, [email protected]