Abstract
Despite an ever-expanding interest in interactive computer-mediated communication (CMC), the motivation of language learners who use it remains an under-researched avenue of investigation. This chapter aims to shed light on the second language (L2) motivation of learners using CMC interactively. In the study, 14 female Japanese university students chatted textually in English with 22 Vietnamese university students to resolve: (1) a jigsaw activity and (2) a decision-making activity. A number of technical problems were encountered during the activity that disrupted the flow of the chat session. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative analyses, the study revealed that the students generally relished the opportunity to chat with one another, while brushing aside the problems. Several motivation variables were also found to significantly influence the level of their motivation.
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Appendix: Survey Description
Appendix: Survey Description
5 (Strongly agree) 4 (Agree) 3 (Neutral) 2 (Disagree) 1 (Strongly disagree)
Background information: (for pre- and posttests)
Descriptor | Rating | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. My English is good | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
2. I have good English-speaking proficiency | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
3. I have good English-listening proficiency | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
4. I have good English-reading proficiency | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
5. I have good English-writing proficiency | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
6. I like to learn English very much | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
7. I think learning English is difficult | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
8. I’m confident using the computer | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
9. I’m confident using the World Wide Web | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
10. I use computers for fun, such as playing games | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
11. I use computers to send e-mail | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
12. I use computers for academic purposes, such as writing papers | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
13. I use computers for leisure, such as watching fashion news or listening to songs | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
14. I use computers for social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Viber, Line, etc.) | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
15. I use computers for chatting and/or blogging | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
16. I feel confident when I communicate in English in my classroom | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
17. I feel confident when I communicate in English outside of the classroom | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
18. I feel confident when I send a message by e-mail or when using a social networking site in English | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
19. I feel confident when I chat online in English | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
20. I have desire to use English to communicate with others outside of my peer group (friends/classmates) | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
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Do, T.H., Freiermuth, M.R. (2020). A Need to Communicate: An Intercultural Story of Motivation Generated in Disrupted Text-Based Electronic Chat. In: Freiermuth, M.R., Zarrinabadi, N. (eds) Technology and the Psychology of Second Language Learners and Users. New Language Learning and Teaching Environments. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34212-8_18
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