Case Study of the Relationship between Motivation and Language Learning Strategies: Arabic Heritage Language Learners and non-heritage Language Learners
Open Access
Author:
Althowaini, Ebtesam M
Area of Honors:
Applied Linguistics
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Suresh Canagarajah, Thesis Supervisor Celeste S Kinginger, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
motivation heritage learners language Arabic non-heritage case study language learning strategies
Abstract:
The present research aims to explore the relationship between motivation and language
learning strategies among heritage learners and non-heritage learners of Arabic. The study
consisted of four participants, two heritage learners and two non-heritage learns of Arabic. The
instruments used in this study are Gardner’s AMBT questionnaire, Oxford’s Language Learning
Strategy questionnaire and a background questionnaire. Followed by the questionnaire, is a semi-
formal interview. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and descriptive statistics were used
to analyze the questionnaires. The findings are that Arabic heritage learners and non-heritage learners have a mixed motivation. Both groups seem to be motivated regardless of which orientation they fall into because both groups fall into both orientations. In addition, motivation has a high correlation with overall strategy use. Based on these results, pedagogical suggestions and implications are offered in the concluding section of the research.
