The Fundamental Difference Hypothesis: Expanding the Conversation in Language Learning Motivation
In this study, we examine the fundamental difference hypothesis in language motivation, which suggests that language learning—at the motivational level—is qualitatively different from learning other school subjects. Despite being a long-standing assumption, few investigations have directly examined...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2020-09-01
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| Series: | SAGE Open |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020945702 |
| _version_ | 1818940551046627328 |
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| author | Ali H. Al-Hoorie Phil Hiver |
| author_facet | Ali H. Al-Hoorie Phil Hiver |
| author_sort | Ali H. Al-Hoorie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, we examine the fundamental difference hypothesis in language motivation, which suggests that language learning—at the motivational level—is qualitatively different from learning other school subjects. Despite being a long-standing assumption, few investigations have directly examined it. Using a comparative cross-sectional approach, we adapted the L2 Motivational Self System and collected data from South Korean high school students ( N = 644) related to their motivation to learn English (L2), Chinese (L3), and mathematics (a nonlanguage subject). Contrary to the fundamental difference hypothesis, the L2 Motivational Self System fit these three subjects well and did not reveal clear uniqueness pointing toward a qualitative difference in favor of language learning motivation. We use these findings to discuss the possibility of a more global and parsimonious learning motivation theory to accommodate multiple languages in addition to nonlanguage subjects. We also discuss the need for language learning researchers to reengage with other learning sciences. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T06:41:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4080e53b1bf44366ad5808af385efd26 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2158-2440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T06:41:26Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SAGE Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-4080e53b1bf44366ad5808af385efd262022-12-21T19:49:50ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open2158-24402020-09-011010.1177/2158244020945702The Fundamental Difference Hypothesis: Expanding the Conversation in Language Learning MotivationAli H. Al-Hoorie0Phil Hiver1Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Jubail, Saudi ArabiaFlorida State University, Tallahassee, USAIn this study, we examine the fundamental difference hypothesis in language motivation, which suggests that language learning—at the motivational level—is qualitatively different from learning other school subjects. Despite being a long-standing assumption, few investigations have directly examined it. Using a comparative cross-sectional approach, we adapted the L2 Motivational Self System and collected data from South Korean high school students ( N = 644) related to their motivation to learn English (L2), Chinese (L3), and mathematics (a nonlanguage subject). Contrary to the fundamental difference hypothesis, the L2 Motivational Self System fit these three subjects well and did not reveal clear uniqueness pointing toward a qualitative difference in favor of language learning motivation. We use these findings to discuss the possibility of a more global and parsimonious learning motivation theory to accommodate multiple languages in addition to nonlanguage subjects. We also discuss the need for language learning researchers to reengage with other learning sciences.https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020945702 |
| spellingShingle | Ali H. Al-Hoorie Phil Hiver The Fundamental Difference Hypothesis: Expanding the Conversation in Language Learning Motivation SAGE Open |
| title | The Fundamental Difference Hypothesis: Expanding the Conversation in Language Learning Motivation |
| title_full | The Fundamental Difference Hypothesis: Expanding the Conversation in Language Learning Motivation |
| title_fullStr | The Fundamental Difference Hypothesis: Expanding the Conversation in Language Learning Motivation |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Fundamental Difference Hypothesis: Expanding the Conversation in Language Learning Motivation |
| title_short | The Fundamental Difference Hypothesis: Expanding the Conversation in Language Learning Motivation |
| title_sort | fundamental difference hypothesis expanding the conversation in language learning motivation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020945702 |
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