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Introduction (‘Interest’ as a New Conceptual Lens)

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Stimulating Student Interest in Language Learning
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Abstract

The term ‘interest’ is an ill-defined term used in many discussions of language teaching materials. ‘Interest’ is also a missing anomaly in language teaching/learning research although it has been widely discussed and researched in various disciplines and general education. In a modern, globalised world where learning and teaching of languages, in particular English, takes place in diverse contexts, various concepts have been proposed as alternatives to motivation to understand complex language learning behaviours and experiences. Among them, ‘interest’ is a pedagogically important concept that requires careful discussion and investigation. The fact that any kind of content (materials, texts, activities) can enter our language curriculum also makes it all the more important to consider the role of the content-specific ‘interest’ construct in language learning.

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Tin, T.B. (2016). Introduction (‘Interest’ as a New Conceptual Lens). In: Stimulating Student Interest in Language Learning. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-34042-9_1

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