Turkish Intermediate EFL Learners' Perceptual Learning Style Preferences and Willingness to Communicate Across Gender

Parisa Yeganehpour*, Elham Zarfsaz**
* Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Foreign Language Schools, Agri, Turkey.
** Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Education Faculty, Tokat, Turkey.
Periodicity:January - March'2022
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.12.1.18265

Abstract

In the educational setting, learning style plays an important role since individuals are unlike in terms of their learning styles. As the area of modern language, teaching and learning has evolved over the last several decades. The instructors and students have seen a number of significant shifts in language teaching, learning techniques and approaches. The late 1970s saw the emergence of perceptual learning style theory in educational discourse. This research included one hundred English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students who were studying English at a public university in Turkey. The current research examined the link between learners' perceptual learning style and readiness to communicate, as well as the influence of gender on these relationships. After obtaining agreement from the participants, two questionnaires were sent to the students. Having ascertained the assumptions of normality of data, the researchers used Pearson correlation coefficient and Independent sample t-test as a parametric test for relationship and difference analysis. The results of the analysis revealed a positive and significant correlation between the participants' visual learning style, group learning style and kinesthetic learning style preferences and their willingness to communicate. Moreover, it was revealed that there was not any significant relationship between tactile learning style, auditory learning style and individual learning style preferences of participants and their willingness to communicate. Moreover, it was found that, gender does not make any significant difference on perceptual learning style preference of learners and their willingness to communicate.

Keywords

Perceptual Learning Style Preference, Willingness to Communicate, Intermediate EFL Learners.

How to Cite this Article?

Yeganehpour, P. and Zarfsaz, E. (2022). Turkish Intermediate EFL Learners' Perceptual Learning Style Preferences and Willingness to Communicate Across Gender. i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 12(1), 15-24. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.12.1.18265

References

[1]. Alemi, M., Tajeddin, Z., & Mesbah, Z. (2013). Willingness to communicate in L2 English: Impact of learner variables. Journal of Research in Applied Linguistics, 4(1), 42-61.
[2]. Aliakbari, M., & Tazik, K. (2011). On the relationship between gender and perceptual language learning styles: the case of Iranian academic EFL learners. Educational Psychology, 31(6), 657-674. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2011.592275
[3]. Canale, M., & Swain, M. (1980). Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing. Applied linguistics, 1(1), 1-47.
[4]. Clément, R., Baker, S. C., & MacIntyre, P. D. (2003). Willingness to communicate in a second language: The effects of context, norms, and vitality. Journal of language and social psychology, 22(2), 190-209. https:// doi.org/10. 1177/0261927X03022002003
[5]. Dunn, R. (1995). Educating diverse learners: Strategies for improving current classroom practices. Bloomington. IN: Phi Delta Kappa.
[6]. Dunn, R. S., & Griggs, S. A. (1998). Learning styles and the nursing profession (No. 14). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
[7]. Ellis, R. (1997). SLA research and language teaching. Oxford University Press, 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016-4314.
[8]. Fahim, M., & Samadian, T. (2011). Sensory style preference of EFL students in Iran. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 1(6), 644-651. https://doi.org/10.4304/tpls.1.6.644-651
[9]. MacIntyre, P. D., & Charos, C. (1996). Personality, attitudes, and affect as predictors of second language communication. Journal of language and social psychology, 15(1), 3-26. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261927X960151001
[10]. MacIntyre, P. D., Baker, S. C., Clément, R., & Conrod, S. (2001). Willingness to communicate, social support, and language-learning orientations of immersion students. Studies in second language acquisition, 23(3), 369-388. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263101003035
[11]. MacIntyre, P. D., Clément, R., Dörnyei, Z., & Noels, K. A. (1998). Conceptualizing willingness to communicate in a L2: A situational model of L2 confidence and affiliation. The Modern Language Journal, 82(4), 545-562. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1998.tb05543.x
[12]. McCroskey, J. C. (1992). Reliability and validity of the willingness to communicate scale. Communication Quarterly, 40(1), 16-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463379209369817
[13]. McCroskey, J. C., & Richmond, V. P. (1990). Willingness to communicate: A cognitive view. Journal of Social Behavior and personality, 5(2), 19.
[14]. Reid, J. M. (1987). The learning style preferences of ESL students. TESOL quarterly, 21(1), 87-111. https://doi.org/10.2307/3586356
[15]. Reid, J. M. (1995). Learning Styles in the ESL/EFL Classroom. New York: Heinle & Heinle.
[16]. Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Approaches and methods in language teaching. Cambridge university press, 1-410.
[17]. Smith, D. M. (1997). 1997: Geography and ethics: a moral turn? Progress in Human Geography, 21(4), 583-590. https://doi.org/10.1191/030913297673492951
[18]. Sternberg, R. J. (1994). Allowing for Thinking Styles. Educational leadership, 52(3), 36-40.
[19]. Sternberg, R. J., & Grigorenko, E. L. (1997). Are cognitive styles still in style? American psychologist, 52(7), 700-712. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.52.7.700
[20]. Taheryan, A., & Ghonsooly, B. (2014). The role of single-sex and mixed-sex context on Iranian students' willingness to communicate. International Journal of English and Education, 3.
[21]. Vaezi, S., & Shahroosvand, H. R. (2015). Iranian EFL learners' and teachers' sensory preferences and the learners' speaking ability. International Journal of English Language Education, 3(2), 14-27. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijele.v3i2.7627
[22]. Zoghi, M., Yoosefi, M., Shokrzadeh, N., Masoomifar, L., Farsi, S., & Badiee, R. (2014). Investigating the Relationship of Willingness to Communicate with Learning Styles in Iranian EFL Learners, International J. Soc. Sci. & Education, 5(1), 130-136.
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Pdf 35 35 200 20
Online 35 35 200 15
Pdf & Online 35 35 400 25

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.