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                    <text>Journal of Education and Humanities
Volume 3 (1), pp. 67-80, Summer 2020
Original research paper
ISSN 2566-4638
© International Burch University

https://dx.doi.org/10.14706/JEH2020316

Attitude towards learning English as a foreign
language
Haris Delić, MA
International Burch University
harisdelic91@gmail.com

Abstract: Attitude of students towards learning and learning
outcomes is one of the main predictors on the basis of which teachers
can establish a productive and successful learning environment. This
study aims to investigate the negative attitudes that students may
have towards language learning in high school. This is a descriptive
study with a quantitative approach. The data has been collected from
160 high school students in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&amp;H) using a
questionnaire adapted by researchers.
The data analysis encompasses means, standard deviations,
frequency, multiple comparisons, Pearson correlation coefficient, ttest and One-way ANOVA. We looked into the frequency of reported
attitude towards English language learning, the differences between
positive and negative attitude, as well as the differences between
genders and grades in terms of the representation of reported
attitudes. The results show that our participants report more
negative than positive attitudes towards language learning and that
the factors which influence their negative attitudes are school policy,
learning environment and teaching methodology. The results also
indicate that there exists no statistically significant difference
between genders, as well as between four high school grades in
terms of their interpretation on positive and negative attitude
towards English language learning.

Keywords: Negative
attitude, language learning,
learning environment.

Article History
Submitted: 22 May 2020
Accepted: 6 July 2020

�Journal of Education and Humanities
Volume 3, Issue 1, Summer 2020

1. INTRODUCTION
Students’ attitudes towards language learning as well as the factors that influence
them have been studied by various researchers using different methods.
According to one definition, attitudes are beliefs or opinions about a certain issue,
in this particular case, the language (Gardner, 1985), and Wenden (1991) classifies
the term “attitude” into three interrelated components: cognitive (beliefs,
thoughts or viewpoints), affective (an individual’s feelings and emotions), and
behavioral (the tendency to adopt particular learning behaviors). Among
authors, Gardner (1985), Dörnyei (2001) and Allport (1935), to name a few, serve
as pioneers in this scientific field. Since the school represents the environment of
community and education there are, according to Gardner (1985), educational
and social types of attitudes, the first observing teachers, materials and the
language, and the latter concerned more with cultural and environmental aspect
of the school. Students’ attitude towards a language, whether positive or
negative, represents impressions of linguistic difficulty or simplicity (Dervić &amp;
Bećirović, 2019), i.e. ease or difficulty of learning. They can also shape an image
about the speakers of that language. Language attitudes may have an effect on
second language or foreign language learning. The measurement of language
attitudes provides information which is useful in language teaching and
language learning.
However, the negative attitudes of students, as predictors of possible
failure to succeed in the process of second language (L2) learning (possible failure
to learn a second language), have not been extensively studied. As such, the
concept was adopted and research has been conducted by Ghaedsharafi et al.
(2019), whose questionnaire was used in this research. Successful teachers lead
their students towards the goals of education (Delić &amp; Bećirović, 2016) and
creating positive attitudes about learning. This study looks into the concept of
attitude, focusing on its negative aspects as one of the major affective factors for
failure in learning a foreign language. More specifically, it investigates Bosnian
high school students’ negative attitudes towards learning English language.
Additionally, it attempts to determine the influence of students’ demographic
profile i.e. gender, class and English language final grade on their negative
attitudes towards learning English. Thus, the current research may serve as a
pioneer project in the context of Bosnian high school students’ language learning
and may, together with the research on motivation, gender, and age (Ahmetović,
Bećirović, &amp; Dubravac, 2020; Bećirović et al., 2018; Dubravac &amp; Latić, 2019;
Kovačević &amp; Akbarov, 2015; Latić &amp; Dubravac, 2019; Mašić et al., 2020) contribute
to the improvements in the L2 learning processes in general.

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�Attitude towards learning English as a foreign language
Haris Delić

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. RESEARCH ON ATTITUDES
Attitude has been regarded as an important factor of academic success. Attitude
as a concept is as important as cognitive behaviors (Bloom, 1995). Gardner (1985)
sees attitude as a component of motivation, while the existence of motivation
depends on three elements: effort, desire to attain and favorable attitudes.
Among the factors that influence students’ attitude towards language learning
are teacher’s pedagogical approach, family expectations, parents’ socioeconomic
status, gender, age, etc. (Abolfazli &amp; Sadeghi, 2018). Based on their investigation,
Abolfazli and Sadeghi (2018) have concluded that “gender and age range do
not contribute significantly to the differentiation of participants according to
their attitudes towards English, even though males had a slightly higher mean
score than females and elder students had more positive attitude than younger
students” (p. 14). Other authors, such as Lasagabaster (2005), investigated
whether language competence, the socio-linguistic context and the knowledge of
the second/foreign language play a significant role in shaping students’ attitudes
towards a language.
Attitude towards language learning can be both negative and positive. The
positive attitude enhances learning, since the willingness to be able to
communicate with native speakers of the language they are learning motivates
learners to learn more and the process is therefore more likely to succeed (Noels
et al., 2003, p. 36). On the contrary, negative attitude can hinder or slow down
language learning because those attitudes emerge when learners are not
motivated, not interested or have difficulties with the teacher (Ellis, 1994, p. 197201). Negative attitudes, even though producing negative effect on learners, may
also have a positive effect. This may happen if the learners have a strong will to
learn a language (Ellis, 1994, p. 200), or when students are persistent and struggle
hard and fight those negative attitudes. The willingness to achieve a good grade
or language fluency may turn negative attitudes into positive ones (Lennartsson,
2008). Another characteristic of students’ attitudes is that they can change. They
may have negative attitudes at the beginning of the language learning process
and later on they may get used to it and acquire positive attitudes, or their
positive attitudes may change into negative ones due to low grades, failure to
lead a fluent conversation, and the like. Dewaele (in Wei &amp; Cook, 2009) states that
attitudes “shift as a consequence of political circumstances (war), or migration
patterns, when a new language suddenly emerges in the local linguistic
landscape and becomes associated with a particular style of music or activity” (p.
172). He mentions other works on this issue (such as Dörnyei &amp; Clément, 2001),
and provides results which say that attitudes vary within a particular country
and even between regions. He also concludes that “macro contextual,
geopolitical factors significantly affect people’s language attitudes” (p. 173).
These factors, along with age and gender, are likely to affect the attitudes towards
EFL learning.

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2.2. NEGATIVE ATTITUDES
Attitudes towards language learning, since they represent reactions to objects
and environmental factors in the learning process that can be evaluated, can be
positive and negative. Certain factors contribute to each type. Zainol Abidin et
al. (2012) state that “negative beliefs may lead to class anxiety, low cognitive
achievement, and negative attitudes” (p. 120).
Aliakbari &amp; Gheitasi (2017) researched the connection between attitudes
towards foreign language learning and test anxiety and they found that there was
a relationship between test anxiety and attitude and that females showed more
optimistic attitudes towards English language learning (ELL).
Shvidko (2013), presenting the results of the findings of students' attitude
towards English-only environments in school reports that their expressed
negative attitude is due to forcing students to speak English, and punishments,
teachers' reactions to students speaking L1 (p. 2). Negative attitudes have a
detrimental effect on learners’ motivation (Bratož et al., 2019, p. 3). Gömleksiz
(2010) concludes that, in order to understand how negative attitudes can be
changed into positive ones, “teachers should be aware of the factors affecting
students negatively and should take the needs of students into consideration” (p.
917).
Rahimi &amp; Hassani (2012) investigated the role of learning materials in
learners’ attitude shaping and they found correlation between them. They
conclude that “it is evident that students often develop negative attitudes
towards learning English as a foreign language due to the lack of stimulating and
authentic learning material and tasks” (p. 71). The analysis of predictors of
negative attitudes towards language learning can be found in Ghaedsharafi et
al.’s paper “Investigating Predictors of High School Students’ Negative Attitudes
Towards Learning English by Developing, Validating, and Running a
Questionnaire“ (2019). There, the authors have reported that the materials that
students use for English language learning are “the best predictor of negative
attitudes that can be considered as the most practical and key finding of the
present study” (p. 147). Materials, they conclude, can have an effect on other
teaching and learning factors and contribute to inappropriate learning
environments. Moreover, they found that the learning environment and
difficulty to learn English contribute to the development of negative attitudes as
well.
2.3. ATTITUDES AND GENDER, CLASS AND SUCCESS
The overall findings of a great deal of research on the attitudes’ role in second
language learning show that positive attitudes and motivation are related to
success in second language learning (Gardner, 1985). Among the factors that
affect attitudes are gender differences, education level, socio-economic status,
grade level, GPA and proficiency level, etc.

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Haris Delić

Investigating 1275 students, Gömleksiz (2010) found out that there exists
a statistically significant difference between gender, grade level and department
variables. In his research, female students obtained more positive attitudes than
males, and in terms of grade level sophomores demonstrated more positive
attitudes than freshmen. Bećirović (2017) found that females are significantly
more motivated to learn English as a second language than males are. Pourfeiz
(2014) conducted similar research on 157 students learning English language in
the Turkish context. The findings of his research reveal that 75% of Turkish EFL
students have positive attitudes toward FLL.
In terms of the BiH educational context, there are various research papers
that took into consideration language acquisition processes. Latić and BrdarevićČeljo (2018) investigated the differences in language use by men and women and
found no significant differences between genders regarding their beliefs about
communication.
According to Bratož et al. (2019), to define language attitudes one needs to
include various concepts such as “attitudes towards language variety or dialect,
attitudes towards speakers of a specific language or variety, attitudes towards
language learning, attitudes towards the learning situation, and attitudes
towards language related behaviors, such as language use and language
maintenance” (p. 3). Despite the importance of students’ attitude in the language
learning process and its impact on their achievement, the role of L2 students'
attitude towards English has not met sufficient observation in the context of
B&amp;H, and thus the importance of this study is a try to bridge such a gap.
3. METHODOLOGY
In this research a quantitative approach to data collection and analysis was
employed. For the purpose of the research a questionnaire was used.
Questionnaires in general, and in this particular case a questionnaire distributed
online, are easy to construct and allow researchers to gather data practically,
economically, and in a short period of time. By using the questionnaire
researchers can easily collect information about students’ habits, preferences and
backgrounds.
3.1. DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT
The instrument used for this research was developed and validated by
Ghaedsharafi et al. (2019) and was used in this research with the authors’
permission. The questionnaire was translated into Bosnian language and as such
delivered to students so that its administration to the Bosnian students at
different levels of language proficiency would be easier. It was delivered to
students in online form (using surveyplanet platform). It contains 30 questions
with response options on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 to 5 (1= Strongly
disagree, 2= Disagree, 3= Neutral, 4= Agree, 5= Strongly agree). Following the

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explanation of the nature and purpose of the study, students were asked to
complete the questionnaire anonymously and without time limit. It contains
statements of attitudes towards language learning which were later grouped into
six groups, namely teaching methodology, difficulty to learn English, learning
environment, materials, affective factors and school policy. Cronbach’s alpha
was employed to assess the reliability of the instrument and the coefficient
amounted to 0.86, which is an acceptable index. Each set of questions was
assessed for internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha (see Table 1).
Table 1 Reliability Indices
N of items Cronbach’s alpha
Affective Factors
4
.81
Teaching Methodology
4
.71
School Policy
4
.63
Learning Environment
4
.50
Materials
9
.84
Difficulty of Learning
5
.81
English

3.2. PARTICIPANTS
Participants in this research were 160 high school students, both males and
females, studying at four different grade levels in a public high school in Visoko,
Bosnia and Herzegovina. There were 47 girls (47.5%) and 52 boys (52.5%). As for
the grade level, there were 30 first grade students (30.3%), 24 second grade
students (24.2%), 26 third grade students (26.3%) and 19 fourth grade students
(19.2%). Almost half of the participants, precisely 45.6 %, indicated that they had
an excellent average grade in English language course. Table 2 summarizes
participant information.
Table 2 Gender, grade, and average course grade of participants
Frequency Percent
Frequency Percent
Mark 1 4
Gender
Male
74
46.3
2.5
Female 86
53.8
2 16
10.0
Class
First
39
24.4
3 29
18.1
Second 54
33.8
4 38
23.8
Third
37
23.1
5 73
45.6
Fourth 30
18.8
Total
160
160

3.3. DATA ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES
The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS, v. 26). Frequencies and means were computed to ascertain the types and
frequencies of the students’ attitudes towards language learning. Firstly,

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�Attitude towards learning English as a foreign language
Haris Delić

descriptive analysis including mean, standard deviation (SD) and frequencies
was employed. An independent samples t-test and a one-way ANOVA were
used to show the differences between the grade levels.
3.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions guided the study:
1. Will Bosnian EFL learners report more negative than positive attitude towards
foreign language learning?
2. Is there any statistically significant difference between positive and negative
attitude towards foreign language learning and gender?
3. Is there any statistically significant difference between positive and negative
attitude towards foreign language learning and different grade levels of
students?
Based on the research questions, the following hypotheses have been
tested:
1. Bosnian EFL learners will not report more negative than positive attitude
towards foreign language learning.
2. There is no statistically significant difference between positive and negative
attitude towards foreign language learning and gender.
3. There is no statistically significant difference between positive and negative
attitude towards foreign language learning and different grade levels of students.

4. RESULTS
A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was computed to assess the
relationship between the grouped variables of different types of students’
attitudes. There is a strong positive correlation between the affective factors and
the variable “difficulty to learn English”, r = .681, n = 160, p &lt; .001, between
affective factors and “materials” variable, r = .768, n = 160, p &lt; .001, and between
“difficulty to learn English” and “materials” variables, r = .827, n = 160, p &lt; .001.
The correlation between other subscales is low and even insignificant, such as
between the variables “materials” and “school policy”, r = .035, n = 160, p &lt; .001.
Table 3 below represents grouped variables correlation and descriptive statistics.
Table 3. Descriptive statistics and correlation for grouped variables
M
SD
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
**
(1) Affective factors
2.28
.94
1
-.255
.011
.027
(2) Teaching methodology
3.44
.71
-.255**
1
.291**
.368**
**
(3) School policy
3.62
.70
.011
.291
1
.364**
**
**
(4) Learning environment
3.44
.58
.027
.368
.364
1
**
**
(5) Difficulty to learn English
2.31
.90
.681
-.258
-.055
.038
(6) Materials
2.37
.77
.768**
-.169*
.035
.132

(5)
.681**
-.258**
-.055
.038
1
.827**

(6)
.768**
-.169*
.035
.132
.827**
1

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**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed)
*. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed)

After dividing the questions on attitudes into 6 groups or subscales and
analyzing them separately, a general distinction was made between positive and
negative attitudes to check whether students experience more positive or
negative attitudes towards language learning, as well as to be able to conduct an
independent t-test and a one-way ANOVA test on the overall students' attitude.
To do so, the median of the scores was considered as the measure of central
tendency; the scores equal or higher than the median were considered to reflect
negative attitudes and those lower than the median were interpreted as positive
attitudes. This is due to the fact that responses in the questionnaire are marked
on a Likert scale ranging from 1(strongly disagree) to 5(strongly agree) Table 4
given below presents descriptive statistics of scores from the questionnaire.

N

Valid
Missing
Median

Table 4. Descriptive Statistics of Scores from the Questionnaire Investigating
Attitudes
Affective
Teaching
School
Learning
Difficulty to learn
factors
methodology
policy
environment English
160
160
160
160
160
0
0
0
0
0
2.00
3.50
3.75
3.50
2.20

After conducting descriptive analysis of the median score of 6 grouped
variables, the teaching methodology, school policy, and learning environment
variables were categorized into negative attitudes group, and affective factors,
difficulty to learn English, and materials variables were categorized into positive
attitudes group. Having determined positive and negative attitudes that the
participants reported, conditions were created to answer the second research
question which aims to determine which attitudes are more reported by the
participants. As presented in Table 5 below, the participants reported more
negative attitudes towards language learning (M = 3.49, SD = .78) than positive
ones (M = 2.22, SD = .50).
Table 5. Descriptive statistics of overall attitudes scores
N
Mean
Std. Deviation
Positive attitudes
160
2.33
.78
Negative attitudes
160
3.49
.50
Valid N (listwise)
160

The next research question aimed at investigating whether there exists a
statistically significant difference between positive and negative attitudes toward
foreign language learning in case of different genders. An independent samples
t-test was conducted to investigate this. The results show that there exists no
statistically significant difference between positive attitudes in the scores for

74

Materials
160
0
2.22

�Attitude towards learning English as a foreign language
Haris Delić

males (M = 2.25, SD = .75) and females (M = 2.40, SD = .81); t(158) = -1.27, p =
0.20. Also, scores on negative attitudes for males (M = 3.43, SD = .58) and females
(M = 3.55, SD = .41); t(158) = -1.51, p = 0.13 were statistically insignificant. Thus,
gender does have an effect on neither positive nor negative attitude towards
language learning (see Table 6).

Positive attitudes
Negative attitudes

Table 6. Independent samples t-test
Gender
N
M
SD
F
Male
74
2.25
.75
.801
Female
86
2.40
.81
Male
74
3.43
.58
2.56
Female
86
3.55
.41

t
-1.27

Sig.
.205

-1.51

.132

A one-way ANOVA between subjects was conducted to compare the effect of
positive and negative attitudes towards language learning on four different high
school grades. Conditions of four different grades did not have significant effect
on positive attitudes on language learning at the p &lt; .05 F(3, 156) = .958, p = .414.
Insignificant difference was also found between negative attitudes and four
grades at the p &lt; .05 level, F(3, 156) = .071, p = .976 (see Table 7).
Table 7. A one-way ANOVA between subjects
Negative attitudes Positive attitudes
M
3.40
2.57
SD
.57
.82
Second
M
3.76
2.03
SD
.36
.67
Third
M
3.61
2.50
SD
.43
.80
Fourth
M
3.57
2.52
SD
.37
.69
F
.071
.958
Sig.
.976
.414
Class
First

5. DISCUSSION AND SUMMARY
As mentioned earlier in this work, English language plays an important role in
the Bosnian educational system (Dubravac, Brdarević-Čeljo &amp; Bećirović, 2018).
Given that it is a mandatory foreign language in all primary and high schools its
importance, the need to learn it and use it, is growing and developing (Kovačević,
Brdarević-Čeljo &amp; Bećirović, 2018). Numerous researchers have conducted
investigations of English language acquisition among Bosnian primary school,
high school and university students so far, thereby investigating processes,
implications, similarities and differences among procedures, approaches, and
methods of language acquisition, taking into consideration participants’ age,

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gender, grade level, socio-economic status and other social, cognitive, or affective
differences (Bećirović et al. 2018; Brdarević-Čeljo &amp; Asotić, 2017; Dubravac &amp;
Latić 2019; Kovačević &amp; Akbarov 2015; Mašić et al. 2020; Rizvić &amp; Bećirović,
2017). However, this particular research aimed to investigate what kind of
attitudes, positive or negative, towards language learning will Bosnian high
school students demonstrate while learning English language in a school setting.
Based on the results of the questionnaire items’ analysis, variables that are
reported as negative predictors are teaching methodology, school policy and
learning environment, where the items investigating the school policy variable
show the highest score, i.e. school policy is the strongest cause of negative
attitudes. These results, particularly school policy as the main cause of students’
negative attitudes, do not support the results reported by Ghaedsharafi et al.
(2019) where this type of variable is not among negative ones. The items referring
to school policy in the questionnaire used in this research were mainly concerned
with the way of teaching English language in schools, the ways of distributing
and covering materials during lessons and the time English language enters the
school curriculum. Based on the reported results, students seem to have negative
attitude towards language learning if these conditions are not met in the school.
The next predictor of students’ negative attitudes as reported by the participants
is the learning environment variable. Ghaedsharafi et al. (2019) have reported
that learning environment and teaching methodology, which are relatively close
issues in the language learning process, are among the sources of negative
attitudes. Learning environment has been extensively observed in the classroom
management procedures (Jones &amp; Jones, 2007; Delić, Bećirović &amp; Brdarević-Čeljo,
2018) where the positive atmosphere in the classroom has been determined as
one of the main predictors to a learning process success. Moreover, Tsuda (2003)
points out that an unpleasant environment cannot offer students, as well as
teachers, a place to successfully apply English language in learning and
communication.
The statistical analysis displayed in the previous section confirms the last
two hypotheses of this investigation. Gender and grade level did not significantly
differ in reporting the types of attitudes asked in the questionnaire. Interestingly,
at each point of research questions they obtained almost identical mean scores.
The concept of gender in Bosnian EFL context has been studied. Dubravac and
Latić (2019), for example, researching students’ language learning beliefs,
insignificant main effect of gender and grade on students’ learning beliefs.
Thus, it appears that gender and grade level do not play a key role in modifying
students’ attitudes in this case, as both male and female participants, across all four
grade levels, shared more or less the same attitudes towards the English language
learning experience.

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Haris Delić

6. CONCLUSION
The aim of this study was to determine the presence and the nature of high school
students’ attitude towards English language learning.
The results show that participants express more negative attitudes and
that school policies are the factor that contributes to this type of attitude the most.
Other factors that also contribute to negative attitudes towards L2 learning are
learning environment and difficulty to learn English language. Moreover, a
conclusion was reached that gender and grade level differences play no
significant role in rendering these types of attitudes.
A suggestion for further study of this concept would be the inclusion of
other educational contexts (primary schools, universities), since the data
collected and analyzed in this research do not provide a strong basis for
generalization due to narrow research context. Furthermore, the concept of
(negative) attitude can be investigated in combination with motivation, learning
styles and strategies, and gender and grade level differences between students.

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LIMITATIONS
This study is limited to one public high school in Bosnia and Herzegovina and,
therefore, provides only a partial representation of students’ attitudes towards
learning English.
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Zainol Abidin, M., Pour-Mohammadi, M., &amp; Alzwari, H. (2012). EFL students’
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                    <text>Journal of Education and Humanities
Volume 3 (1), pp. 67-80, Summer 2020
Original research paper
ISSN 2566-4638
© International Burch University

https://dx.doi.org/10.14706/JEH2020316

Attitude towards learning English as a foreign
language
Haris Delić, MA
International Burch University
harisdelic91@gmail.com

Abstract: Attitude of students towards learning and learning
outcomes is one of the main predictors on the basis of which teachers
can establish a productive and successful learning environment. This
study aims to investigate the negative attitudes that students may
have towards language learning in high school. This is a descriptive
study with a quantitative approach. The data has been collected from
160 high school students in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&amp;H) using a
questionnaire adapted by researchers.
The data analysis encompasses means, standard deviations,
frequency, multiple comparisons, Pearson correlation coefficient, ttest and One-way ANOVA. We looked into the frequency of reported
attitude towards English language learning, the differences between
positive and negative attitude, as well as the differences between
genders and grades in terms of the representation of reported
attitudes. The results show that our participants report more
negative than positive attitudes towards language learning and that
the factors which influence their negative attitudes are school policy,
learning environment and teaching methodology. The results also
indicate that there exists no statistically significant difference
between genders, as well as between four high school grades in
terms of their interpretation on positive and negative attitude
towards English language learning.

Keywords: Negative
attitude, language learning,
learning environment.

Article History
Submitted: 22 May 2020
Accepted: 6 July 2020

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Volume 3, Issue 1, Summer 2020

1. INTRODUCTION
Students’ attitudes towards language learning as well as the factors that influence
them have been studied by various researchers using different methods.
According to one definition, attitudes are beliefs or opinions about a certain issue,
in this particular case, the language (Gardner, 1985), and Wenden (1991) classifies
the term “attitude” into three interrelated components: cognitive (beliefs,
thoughts or viewpoints), affective (an individual’s feelings and emotions), and
behavioral (the tendency to adopt particular learning behaviors). Among
authors, Gardner (1985), Dörnyei (2001) and Allport (1935), to name a few, serve
as pioneers in this scientific field. Since the school represents the environment of
community and education there are, according to Gardner (1985), educational
and social types of attitudes, the first observing teachers, materials and the
language, and the latter concerned more with cultural and environmental aspect
of the school. Students’ attitude towards a language, whether positive or
negative, represents impressions of linguistic difficulty or simplicity (Dervić &amp;
Bećirović, 2019), i.e. ease or difficulty of learning. They can also shape an image
about the speakers of that language. Language attitudes may have an effect on
second language or foreign language learning. The measurement of language
attitudes provides information which is useful in language teaching and
language learning.
However, the negative attitudes of students, as predictors of possible
failure to succeed in the process of second language (L2) learning (possible failure
to learn a second language), have not been extensively studied. As such, the
concept was adopted and research has been conducted by Ghaedsharafi et al.
(2019), whose questionnaire was used in this research. Successful teachers lead
their students towards the goals of education (Delić &amp; Bećirović, 2016) and
creating positive attitudes about learning. This study looks into the concept of
attitude, focusing on its negative aspects as one of the major affective factors for
failure in learning a foreign language. More specifically, it investigates Bosnian
high school students’ negative attitudes towards learning English language.
Additionally, it attempts to determine the influence of students’ demographic
profile i.e. gender, class and English language final grade on their negative
attitudes towards learning English. Thus, the current research may serve as a
pioneer project in the context of Bosnian high school students’ language learning
and may, together with the research on motivation, gender, and age (Ahmetović,
Bećirović, &amp; Dubravac, 2020; Bećirović et al., 2018; Dubravac &amp; Latić, 2019;
Kovačević &amp; Akbarov, 2015; Latić &amp; Dubravac, 2019; Mašić et al., 2020) contribute
to the improvements in the L2 learning processes in general.

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�Attitude towards learning English as a foreign language
Haris Delić

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. RESEARCH ON ATTITUDES
Attitude has been regarded as an important factor of academic success. Attitude
as a concept is as important as cognitive behaviors (Bloom, 1995). Gardner (1985)
sees attitude as a component of motivation, while the existence of motivation
depends on three elements: effort, desire to attain and favorable attitudes.
Among the factors that influence students’ attitude towards language learning
are teacher’s pedagogical approach, family expectations, parents’ socioeconomic
status, gender, age, etc. (Abolfazli &amp; Sadeghi, 2018). Based on their investigation,
Abolfazli and Sadeghi (2018) have concluded that “gender and age range do
not contribute significantly to the differentiation of participants according to
their attitudes towards English, even though males had a slightly higher mean
score than females and elder students had more positive attitude than younger
students” (p. 14). Other authors, such as Lasagabaster (2005), investigated
whether language competence, the socio-linguistic context and the knowledge of
the second/foreign language play a significant role in shaping students’ attitudes
towards a language.
Attitude towards language learning can be both negative and positive. The
positive attitude enhances learning, since the willingness to be able to
communicate with native speakers of the language they are learning motivates
learners to learn more and the process is therefore more likely to succeed (Noels
et al., 2003, p. 36). On the contrary, negative attitude can hinder or slow down
language learning because those attitudes emerge when learners are not
motivated, not interested or have difficulties with the teacher (Ellis, 1994, p. 197201). Negative attitudes, even though producing negative effect on learners, may
also have a positive effect. This may happen if the learners have a strong will to
learn a language (Ellis, 1994, p. 200), or when students are persistent and struggle
hard and fight those negative attitudes. The willingness to achieve a good grade
or language fluency may turn negative attitudes into positive ones (Lennartsson,
2008). Another characteristic of students’ attitudes is that they can change. They
may have negative attitudes at the beginning of the language learning process
and later on they may get used to it and acquire positive attitudes, or their
positive attitudes may change into negative ones due to low grades, failure to
lead a fluent conversation, and the like. Dewaele (in Wei &amp; Cook, 2009) states that
attitudes “shift as a consequence of political circumstances (war), or migration
patterns, when a new language suddenly emerges in the local linguistic
landscape and becomes associated with a particular style of music or activity” (p.
172). He mentions other works on this issue (such as Dörnyei &amp; Clément, 2001),
and provides results which say that attitudes vary within a particular country
and even between regions. He also concludes that “macro contextual,
geopolitical factors significantly affect people’s language attitudes” (p. 173).
These factors, along with age and gender, are likely to affect the attitudes towards
EFL learning.

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2.2. NEGATIVE ATTITUDES
Attitudes towards language learning, since they represent reactions to objects
and environmental factors in the learning process that can be evaluated, can be
positive and negative. Certain factors contribute to each type. Zainol Abidin et
al. (2012) state that “negative beliefs may lead to class anxiety, low cognitive
achievement, and negative attitudes” (p. 120).
Aliakbari &amp; Gheitasi (2017) researched the connection between attitudes
towards foreign language learning and test anxiety and they found that there was
a relationship between test anxiety and attitude and that females showed more
optimistic attitudes towards English language learning (ELL).
Shvidko (2013), presenting the results of the findings of students' attitude
towards English-only environments in school reports that their expressed
negative attitude is due to forcing students to speak English, and punishments,
teachers' reactions to students speaking L1 (p. 2). Negative attitudes have a
detrimental effect on learners’ motivation (Bratož et al., 2019, p. 3). Gömleksiz
(2010) concludes that, in order to understand how negative attitudes can be
changed into positive ones, “teachers should be aware of the factors affecting
students negatively and should take the needs of students into consideration” (p.
917).
Rahimi &amp; Hassani (2012) investigated the role of learning materials in
learners’ attitude shaping and they found correlation between them. They
conclude that “it is evident that students often develop negative attitudes
towards learning English as a foreign language due to the lack of stimulating and
authentic learning material and tasks” (p. 71). The analysis of predictors of
negative attitudes towards language learning can be found in Ghaedsharafi et
al.’s paper “Investigating Predictors of High School Students’ Negative Attitudes
Towards Learning English by Developing, Validating, and Running a
Questionnaire“ (2019). There, the authors have reported that the materials that
students use for English language learning are “the best predictor of negative
attitudes that can be considered as the most practical and key finding of the
present study” (p. 147). Materials, they conclude, can have an effect on other
teaching and learning factors and contribute to inappropriate learning
environments. Moreover, they found that the learning environment and
difficulty to learn English contribute to the development of negative attitudes as
well.
2.3. ATTITUDES AND GENDER, CLASS AND SUCCESS
The overall findings of a great deal of research on the attitudes’ role in second
language learning show that positive attitudes and motivation are related to
success in second language learning (Gardner, 1985). Among the factors that
affect attitudes are gender differences, education level, socio-economic status,
grade level, GPA and proficiency level, etc.

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�Attitude towards learning English as a foreign language
Haris Delić

Investigating 1275 students, Gömleksiz (2010) found out that there exists
a statistically significant difference between gender, grade level and department
variables. In his research, female students obtained more positive attitudes than
males, and in terms of grade level sophomores demonstrated more positive
attitudes than freshmen. Bećirović (2017) found that females are significantly
more motivated to learn English as a second language than males are. Pourfeiz
(2014) conducted similar research on 157 students learning English language in
the Turkish context. The findings of his research reveal that 75% of Turkish EFL
students have positive attitudes toward FLL.
In terms of the BiH educational context, there are various research papers
that took into consideration language acquisition processes. Latić and BrdarevićČeljo (2018) investigated the differences in language use by men and women and
found no significant differences between genders regarding their beliefs about
communication.
According to Bratož et al. (2019), to define language attitudes one needs to
include various concepts such as “attitudes towards language variety or dialect,
attitudes towards speakers of a specific language or variety, attitudes towards
language learning, attitudes towards the learning situation, and attitudes
towards language related behaviors, such as language use and language
maintenance” (p. 3). Despite the importance of students’ attitude in the language
learning process and its impact on their achievement, the role of L2 students'
attitude towards English has not met sufficient observation in the context of
B&amp;H, and thus the importance of this study is a try to bridge such a gap.
3. METHODOLOGY
In this research a quantitative approach to data collection and analysis was
employed. For the purpose of the research a questionnaire was used.
Questionnaires in general, and in this particular case a questionnaire distributed
online, are easy to construct and allow researchers to gather data practically,
economically, and in a short period of time. By using the questionnaire
researchers can easily collect information about students’ habits, preferences and
backgrounds.
3.1. DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT
The instrument used for this research was developed and validated by
Ghaedsharafi et al. (2019) and was used in this research with the authors’
permission. The questionnaire was translated into Bosnian language and as such
delivered to students so that its administration to the Bosnian students at
different levels of language proficiency would be easier. It was delivered to
students in online form (using surveyplanet platform). It contains 30 questions
with response options on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 to 5 (1= Strongly
disagree, 2= Disagree, 3= Neutral, 4= Agree, 5= Strongly agree). Following the

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explanation of the nature and purpose of the study, students were asked to
complete the questionnaire anonymously and without time limit. It contains
statements of attitudes towards language learning which were later grouped into
six groups, namely teaching methodology, difficulty to learn English, learning
environment, materials, affective factors and school policy. Cronbach’s alpha
was employed to assess the reliability of the instrument and the coefficient
amounted to 0.86, which is an acceptable index. Each set of questions was
assessed for internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha (see Table 1).
Table 1 Reliability Indices
N of items Cronbach’s alpha
Affective Factors
4
.81
Teaching Methodology
4
.71
School Policy
4
.63
Learning Environment
4
.50
Materials
9
.84
Difficulty of Learning
5
.81
English

3.2. PARTICIPANTS
Participants in this research were 160 high school students, both males and
females, studying at four different grade levels in a public high school in Visoko,
Bosnia and Herzegovina. There were 47 girls (47.5%) and 52 boys (52.5%). As for
the grade level, there were 30 first grade students (30.3%), 24 second grade
students (24.2%), 26 third grade students (26.3%) and 19 fourth grade students
(19.2%). Almost half of the participants, precisely 45.6 %, indicated that they had
an excellent average grade in English language course. Table 2 summarizes
participant information.
Table 2 Gender, grade, and average course grade of participants
Frequency Percent
Frequency Percent
Mark 1 4
Gender
Male
74
46.3
2.5
Female 86
53.8
2 16
10.0
Class
First
39
24.4
3 29
18.1
Second 54
33.8
4 38
23.8
Third
37
23.1
5 73
45.6
Fourth 30
18.8
Total
160
160

3.3. DATA ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES
The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS, v. 26). Frequencies and means were computed to ascertain the types and
frequencies of the students’ attitudes towards language learning. Firstly,

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�Attitude towards learning English as a foreign language
Haris Delić

descriptive analysis including mean, standard deviation (SD) and frequencies
was employed. An independent samples t-test and a one-way ANOVA were
used to show the differences between the grade levels.
3.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions guided the study:
1. Will Bosnian EFL learners report more negative than positive attitude towards
foreign language learning?
2. Is there any statistically significant difference between positive and negative
attitude towards foreign language learning and gender?
3. Is there any statistically significant difference between positive and negative
attitude towards foreign language learning and different grade levels of
students?
Based on the research questions, the following hypotheses have been
tested:
1. Bosnian EFL learners will not report more negative than positive attitude
towards foreign language learning.
2. There is no statistically significant difference between positive and negative
attitude towards foreign language learning and gender.
3. There is no statistically significant difference between positive and negative
attitude towards foreign language learning and different grade levels of students.

4. RESULTS
A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was computed to assess the
relationship between the grouped variables of different types of students’
attitudes. There is a strong positive correlation between the affective factors and
the variable “difficulty to learn English”, r = .681, n = 160, p &lt; .001, between
affective factors and “materials” variable, r = .768, n = 160, p &lt; .001, and between
“difficulty to learn English” and “materials” variables, r = .827, n = 160, p &lt; .001.
The correlation between other subscales is low and even insignificant, such as
between the variables “materials” and “school policy”, r = .035, n = 160, p &lt; .001.
Table 3 below represents grouped variables correlation and descriptive statistics.
Table 3. Descriptive statistics and correlation for grouped variables
M
SD
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
**
(1) Affective factors
2.28
.94
1
-.255
.011
.027
(2) Teaching methodology
3.44
.71
-.255**
1
.291**
.368**
**
(3) School policy
3.62
.70
.011
.291
1
.364**
**
**
(4) Learning environment
3.44
.58
.027
.368
.364
1
**
**
(5) Difficulty to learn English
2.31
.90
.681
-.258
-.055
.038
(6) Materials
2.37
.77
.768**
-.169*
.035
.132

(5)
.681**
-.258**
-.055
.038
1
.827**

(6)
.768**
-.169*
.035
.132
.827**
1

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**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed)
*. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed)

After dividing the questions on attitudes into 6 groups or subscales and
analyzing them separately, a general distinction was made between positive and
negative attitudes to check whether students experience more positive or
negative attitudes towards language learning, as well as to be able to conduct an
independent t-test and a one-way ANOVA test on the overall students' attitude.
To do so, the median of the scores was considered as the measure of central
tendency; the scores equal or higher than the median were considered to reflect
negative attitudes and those lower than the median were interpreted as positive
attitudes. This is due to the fact that responses in the questionnaire are marked
on a Likert scale ranging from 1(strongly disagree) to 5(strongly agree) Table 4
given below presents descriptive statistics of scores from the questionnaire.

N

Valid
Missing
Median

Table 4. Descriptive Statistics of Scores from the Questionnaire Investigating
Attitudes
Affective
Teaching
School
Learning
Difficulty to learn
factors
methodology
policy
environment English
160
160
160
160
160
0
0
0
0
0
2.00
3.50
3.75
3.50
2.20

After conducting descriptive analysis of the median score of 6 grouped
variables, the teaching methodology, school policy, and learning environment
variables were categorized into negative attitudes group, and affective factors,
difficulty to learn English, and materials variables were categorized into positive
attitudes group. Having determined positive and negative attitudes that the
participants reported, conditions were created to answer the second research
question which aims to determine which attitudes are more reported by the
participants. As presented in Table 5 below, the participants reported more
negative attitudes towards language learning (M = 3.49, SD = .78) than positive
ones (M = 2.22, SD = .50).
Table 5. Descriptive statistics of overall attitudes scores
N
Mean
Std. Deviation
Positive attitudes
160
2.33
.78
Negative attitudes
160
3.49
.50
Valid N (listwise)
160

The next research question aimed at investigating whether there exists a
statistically significant difference between positive and negative attitudes toward
foreign language learning in case of different genders. An independent samples
t-test was conducted to investigate this. The results show that there exists no
statistically significant difference between positive attitudes in the scores for

74

Materials
160
0
2.22

�Attitude towards learning English as a foreign language
Haris Delić

males (M = 2.25, SD = .75) and females (M = 2.40, SD = .81); t(158) = -1.27, p =
0.20. Also, scores on negative attitudes for males (M = 3.43, SD = .58) and females
(M = 3.55, SD = .41); t(158) = -1.51, p = 0.13 were statistically insignificant. Thus,
gender does have an effect on neither positive nor negative attitude towards
language learning (see Table 6).

Positive attitudes
Negative attitudes

Table 6. Independent samples t-test
Gender
N
M
SD
F
Male
74
2.25
.75
.801
Female
86
2.40
.81
Male
74
3.43
.58
2.56
Female
86
3.55
.41

t
-1.27

Sig.
.205

-1.51

.132

A one-way ANOVA between subjects was conducted to compare the effect of
positive and negative attitudes towards language learning on four different high
school grades. Conditions of four different grades did not have significant effect
on positive attitudes on language learning at the p &lt; .05 F(3, 156) = .958, p = .414.
Insignificant difference was also found between negative attitudes and four
grades at the p &lt; .05 level, F(3, 156) = .071, p = .976 (see Table 7).
Table 7. A one-way ANOVA between subjects
Negative attitudes Positive attitudes
M
3.40
2.57
SD
.57
.82
Second
M
3.76
2.03
SD
.36
.67
Third
M
3.61
2.50
SD
.43
.80
Fourth
M
3.57
2.52
SD
.37
.69
F
.071
.958
Sig.
.976
.414
Class
First

5. DISCUSSION AND SUMMARY
As mentioned earlier in this work, English language plays an important role in
the Bosnian educational system (Dubravac, Brdarević-Čeljo &amp; Bećirović, 2018).
Given that it is a mandatory foreign language in all primary and high schools its
importance, the need to learn it and use it, is growing and developing (Kovačević,
Brdarević-Čeljo &amp; Bećirović, 2018). Numerous researchers have conducted
investigations of English language acquisition among Bosnian primary school,
high school and university students so far, thereby investigating processes,
implications, similarities and differences among procedures, approaches, and
methods of language acquisition, taking into consideration participants’ age,

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gender, grade level, socio-economic status and other social, cognitive, or affective
differences (Bećirović et al. 2018; Brdarević-Čeljo &amp; Asotić, 2017; Dubravac &amp;
Latić 2019; Kovačević &amp; Akbarov 2015; Mašić et al. 2020; Rizvić &amp; Bećirović,
2017). However, this particular research aimed to investigate what kind of
attitudes, positive or negative, towards language learning will Bosnian high
school students demonstrate while learning English language in a school setting.
Based on the results of the questionnaire items’ analysis, variables that are
reported as negative predictors are teaching methodology, school policy and
learning environment, where the items investigating the school policy variable
show the highest score, i.e. school policy is the strongest cause of negative
attitudes. These results, particularly school policy as the main cause of students’
negative attitudes, do not support the results reported by Ghaedsharafi et al.
(2019) where this type of variable is not among negative ones. The items referring
to school policy in the questionnaire used in this research were mainly concerned
with the way of teaching English language in schools, the ways of distributing
and covering materials during lessons and the time English language enters the
school curriculum. Based on the reported results, students seem to have negative
attitude towards language learning if these conditions are not met in the school.
The next predictor of students’ negative attitudes as reported by the participants
is the learning environment variable. Ghaedsharafi et al. (2019) have reported
that learning environment and teaching methodology, which are relatively close
issues in the language learning process, are among the sources of negative
attitudes. Learning environment has been extensively observed in the classroom
management procedures (Jones &amp; Jones, 2007; Delić, Bećirović &amp; Brdarević-Čeljo,
2018) where the positive atmosphere in the classroom has been determined as
one of the main predictors to a learning process success. Moreover, Tsuda (2003)
points out that an unpleasant environment cannot offer students, as well as
teachers, a place to successfully apply English language in learning and
communication.
The statistical analysis displayed in the previous section confirms the last
two hypotheses of this investigation. Gender and grade level did not significantly
differ in reporting the types of attitudes asked in the questionnaire. Interestingly,
at each point of research questions they obtained almost identical mean scores.
The concept of gender in Bosnian EFL context has been studied. Dubravac and
Latić (2019), for example, researching students’ language learning beliefs,
insignificant main effect of gender and grade on students’ learning beliefs.
Thus, it appears that gender and grade level do not play a key role in modifying
students’ attitudes in this case, as both male and female participants, across all four
grade levels, shared more or less the same attitudes towards the English language
learning experience.

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�Attitude towards learning English as a foreign language
Haris Delić

6. CONCLUSION
The aim of this study was to determine the presence and the nature of high school
students’ attitude towards English language learning.
The results show that participants express more negative attitudes and
that school policies are the factor that contributes to this type of attitude the most.
Other factors that also contribute to negative attitudes towards L2 learning are
learning environment and difficulty to learn English language. Moreover, a
conclusion was reached that gender and grade level differences play no
significant role in rendering these types of attitudes.
A suggestion for further study of this concept would be the inclusion of
other educational contexts (primary schools, universities), since the data
collected and analyzed in this research do not provide a strong basis for
generalization due to narrow research context. Furthermore, the concept of
(negative) attitude can be investigated in combination with motivation, learning
styles and strategies, and gender and grade level differences between students.

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�Journal of Education and Humanities
Volume 3, Issue 1, Summer 2020

LIMITATIONS
This study is limited to one public high school in Bosnia and Herzegovina and,
therefore, provides only a partial representation of students’ attitudes towards
learning English.
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                    <text>Attitudes and Behaviors of Young Adults toward Music in Retail
Environments in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Azra Pohara
Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences
International Burch University
Bosna and Herzegovina
azra.pohara@gmail.com
Teoman Duman
Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences
International Burch University
Abstract: Attitudes and behaviours of young adults toward music in retail environments in Bosnia and
Herzegovina are in focus of retailers. The retailers want to attract more customers by creating an
atmosphere for a particular type of people, class, age, with desired products. Influence of music can be
seen all around the globe. Industry professionals make millions of dollars by producing and creating new
songs and rhythms in special events (Example: Shakira; World Cup 2010). Music in Bosnia and
Herzegovina is well spread, and it can be one of the best places to see how music influences human lives
and their habits. It is well-known fact that Bosnian’s devote most of the time by listening to music and use
it as a motivation or charm of happiness to forget everyday problems. For Bosnians, music is like a sweet
drink, escapade from problems and life motivation. Music is their inborn gift, and for this study, Bosnia
and Herzegovina is the right place to see how much music impacts young adults, and how retails stores
can benefit from it.
This study used previous research as a guideline to show the impact of certain music genre on
consumer’s behavior and attitude in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The focus of research was to test the
impact of music on young adult’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral level, particularly with regard to
attitudes and perceptions, and moods and feelings in the retail environment. Research data were
collected from young adults in Sarajevo during the winter months of 2016. In total, 125 questionnaires
were collected and used in data analysis. Research results showed that music is very important in making
retail choices for young adults in Sarajevo. Also, the pace and type of music were found to be influential
on retail choices of young adults who participated in the research study.
Keywords: Music, retail choices, young adults, Sarajevo.

Introduction
The term music is considered to be derived from the word “mousa” which means angel in Old
Greek. Music has always played a vital role in people's lives. From early ages, people are trying
to express themselves using music and its influence on people to send specific messages.

148

�National anthems are often connected with the music, which sends the message and boosts
morality to the people of that nation. Music in some cases presents a cure for some psychological
diseases (depression, drug addiction or suicide thoughts). In many ways, music helps people to
express their emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Music is a lucky charm that follow humankind
through centuries.
In some cases music helps as a thought motivator or a way where people can remind themselves
about previous thoughts, actions or some previous times that are gone, missing in distant past
(Alpert and Alpert, 1990). Music is people’s way of expressing themselves, giving others and
themselves relief and letting go their suppressed feelings (Dillman-Carpentier and Potter, 2007).
Since birth mother sings her child different songs using different rhymes to make the child
comfortable and prepare him for sleep. Music in mother voice and words that are spoken bring
peace in child’s soul and sense of security. Music is one of the essential parts in people’s lives.
Even when a person is alone, he/she sings different songs as an answer to put loneliness and
nostalgia beside. Using music in retail business is a custom among entrepreneurs. Music helps
people to make easier choices and boost their moral and motivation.
Music in Bosnia and Herzegovina is well spread, and it can be one of the best places to see how
music influences human lives and their habits. It is well known fact that Bosnian’s devote most
of time by listening to music, and use it as a motivation or charm of happiness to forget every
days’ problems. For Bosnians, music is like a sweet drink, escapade from problems and life
motivation. Music is their inborn gift, and for this study, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the right
place to see how much music impacts Bosnia and Herzegovina society, and how retails stores
can benefit from it.
Research questions are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Which type of music is most popular among young adults?
Can music help retail stores to hold customers longer than usual?
Does specific genre of music or music itself is connected to certain product?
Does music loudness affect retail stores income?
Does music have psychological impact on customers/young adults?
Will music change certain behavior among young adults or it just helps retail stores with
attitude?

Research methodology
In this chapter we will present the method we used to develop the survey and questions to
establish the sample size for delivering results. Also, in the chapter, we will talk about the
hypotheses: “Music has an influence on young adults’ behaviours and attitudes while shopping,

149

�Slow music relaxes young adults while purchasing some products or service, Fast music makes
young adults aggressive while purchasing some products or service” that represent the goal to be
achieved in this project. There are many goals, but mainly would be effect of music on human
behaviour, external and internal influence, arousal and valance influence and can music create a
habit in human behaviour while doing shopping, drinking coffee in coffee shop, or eating ćevapi
at some restaurant.
Sampling is a process used in statistical analysis in which a predetermined number of
observations are taken from a larger population. The sampling methodology used in this research
is judgmental sampling. Judgmental sampling “is a form of convenience sampling in which the
population elements are selected based on the researcher’s judgment” (Malhotra, 2009, p. 377).
This type of sampling methodology is a form of convenience sampling in which the population
elements are selected based on the researcher’s judgment (Malhotra, 2009, p. 377).
This sampling is used because of previous observed behaviour and attitude seen at young adults
in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The primary data of this study was collected through a survey which
was conducted among young adults in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The respondents were people of
target ages and genders in Bosnia and Herzegovina society. The third part of a survey was about
general impact of music on their likeness or unlikeness of loud-fast/slow-soft music on their
desire to purchase particular product. Also, in some of these questions, it is asked about
connection music has with some product or some Brand making, or they just love listen to music.
In this study, both three point and four point category scale were used to diagnose influence of
music on young adult’s behavior while shopping. Respondents could respond with “Yes”, “No”
and “Maybe” in three point category scale while in four point category scale “Sometimes” and
“Maybe” were added. All responses were scaled so that a higher score on a specific subject so
that is indicates a stronger agreement with the attitude/behavior whereas a lower score indicated
a weaker agreement, or disagreement with that specific thesis.
Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression are used to analyse the data. The surveys were
distributed by mail and social networks (Facebook, Viber, Skype, Pikii, Instagram etc.). The
sample size was the 125 responses. The results were analysed through SPSS software, 18th
version.
The secondary data was collected through research on the internet in order to attain the relevant
articles about influence of music on customer’s attitude and behavior. Also, we should mention
that there is no relevant data in Balkan areas regarding this issue. So, this study can be a
significant step towards new research in these parts of the world. Especially, because people
from Balkan areas are specific, and they do not share similar interest as it is in Western countries.
It shall be clearly shown during study observation and results. Zotero Standalone was used

150

�during process of articles collection.
Data Analysis:
Table 1: Survey Demographic Questions (N: 125) and findings

Frequency
15-24
80
25-35
34
Ages
36-45
10
46 plus
1
Total
125
Bosniak
113
Serb
4
Ethnicity
Croat
4
Other
4
Total
125
Male
86
Gender
Female
39
Total
125
Source: Author’s own research

Valid
percent
64,0
27,2
8,0
.8
100,0
90,4
3,2
3,2
3,2
100,0
68,6
31,2
100,0

Percent
64,0
27,2
8,0
.8
100,0
90,4
3,2
3,2
3,2
100,0
68,6
31,2
100,0

Cumulative
percent
64,0
91,2
99,2
100,0
90,4
93,6
96,8
100,0

Demographic

68,8
100,0

The first section of the questionnaire consisted of demographics.
As we can see in this table majority of participants are ages from 15-24 (64). Next are from 25 to
35 (27.2%), then 36-45 (8%) and only one candidate that is 46 or older (0.8%). In a further study,
we shall eliminate two categories 36-45 and 46 or older, because of our thesis.
As we can see, major participation in this figure were people of age 15 to 24 with 64.9%, from
age 25 to 35 was 27.2%, from 36 to 45 was 8%, and 46 and more only one participant, or 0,8%
It is shown that Bosniaks have taken a lot more participation in this survey (around 90.4%),
rather than other two ethnicities and others (3.2% each)
As we can see from this chart and figure, male’s response to the survey was higher (68.8%) than
female ones. (31.2%)
Table 2: Survey Questions (N: 125) and findings

Type of music

Pop
Folk
Classic
Country
Rock
Other

Total

Male
22
23
8
1
16
16
86

Female
19
8
1
1
3
7
39

Source: Author’s own research

151

Total
41
31
9
2
19
23
125

Behavioural

�The second section was about general questions about music, their habits, will and customers
purchasing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this part, five choices of the genre are given to the
participants, and they are: pop, folk, classic, country (Bosnian country music) and Rock music,
while other is put for those who cannot decide.
Results are that Pop music is slightly more popular than Folk music with 41 participants for the
Pop genre (22 males and 19 females), and 31 for Folk music genre (23males and 8 females).
Next to them is Rock music with 19 supporters (16 males and 3 females), Classical music genre
with 8 males and 1 female supporter, Country music with 1 male supporter and 23 participants
who put other genres (16 males and 7 females). As a result in this section, we can see that type
of genre does not differentiate between genders and if retailers want to improve business with
music, Pop and Folk music are genres which people are listening to a lot.
Table 3: Q9

Music motivate me
in shopping

Yes
No
Sometimes

Frequency
74
12
39

Percent
59,2
9,6
31,2

Attitude

Source: Survey

In this question, music as a motivator, 125 participants gave these results: 59.2% said that music
motivated them, 9.6% said that music didn't motivate them, while 31.2% were neutral. Young
adults and young people were ones who mostly said yes to this question.
Table 4: Q10

I feel
comfortable
when I visit a
shop that plays
music

0
Yes
No
Total

Frequency

Percent

3
110
12
125

2,4
88,0
9,6
100,0

Valid
percent
2,4
88,0
9,6
100,0

Cumulative
Percent
2,4
90,4
100,0

Attitude

Source: Survey

There were 125 participants, where 110 said yes for feeling comfortable when music was being
played in the shop, only 12 said no. Three of them were neutral. They haven’t given the answer
to this question. The majority of young adults answered yes regarding arousal feeling, or
comfortable/positive feeling while visiting a shop that plays music. Music creates a good
atmosphere, attracts them and brings enjoyment in a retail store.

152

�Table 5: Q11
Frequency
2
14
77
32
125

Fast music
makes me
aggressive
while
shopping?

0
Yes
No
Sometime
Total
Source: Survey

Percent
1,6
11,2
11,2
25,6
100,0

Valid percent
1,6
11,2
11,2
25,6
100,0

Attitude

According to the survey results majority of young adult and young people consider fast music
does not make them aggressive (not comfortable, annoying) while shopping. So if retailers want
to attract new customers, especially younger population, fast music is the ideal solution.
Table 6: Q12

Slow music makes
me relaxed while
shopping?

Yes
No
Sometimes
Total

Frequency
41
41
43
125

Percent
32,8
32,8
34,4
100,0

Attitude

Source: Survey

In this part, participants have shown that slow/soft music is not the thing that mostly relaxes
them. Participants with the answer no are 41 or 32.8%. as it is the case with participants who said
yes 41 or 32.8%. The answer “sometimes”, it gives neutral ground where people are sometimes
satisfied with slow, soft music in the back. Again, we should mention age variation of the
participants. The majority of them are young people, from the age 15 to 35. These respondents
are likely to be potential customers to coffee shops, restaurants, discos and etc., where loud
music is played and where music impacts “their minds”
Table 7: Q14

Specific genre of
music associates
me with some
product I want to
buy/purchase?

Frequency

Percent

Yes

14

11,2

No

93

74,4

Sometimes

18

14,4

Total

125

100,0

Source: Survey

153

Attitude

�According to the survey mentioned above, young adults and young people cannot, or are not able
to connect some music with a genre. Around 74.4% said “No”, 14.4% said “Sometimes”, while
11.2% said “Yes”. On the other hand, those who said yes gave several examples like: Coca Cola,
Pepsi, Ornel, Violeta etc., where music in their commercials are used, and in some areas, phrases
they are using in ads are recognisable, especially Coca Cola’s Christmas commercial, or Pepsi’s
commercials related to soccer etc.
Table 8: Q15
Frequency
Music helps
me to decide
which
product
I
will
purchase.

Percent

Valid percent

Cumulative
percent
2,4

0

3

2,4

2,4

Yes

16

12,8

12,8

15,2

No

37

29,6

29,6

44,8

Sometimes

69

55,2

55,2

100,0

Total

125

100,0

100,0

Attitude

In this survey question, young adults and young people answered negative (55.2%) regarding
music help in purchasing some particular product, “sometimes” is answered 29.6%, “yes” is
answered 12.8% and three participants were without answers. Over 57, 6% (answers NO and no
answer) music doesn’t help for deciding which product will purchase.
Hypothesis Testing
In this hypothesis testing, we are examining two opposing hypotheses: the null hypothesis and
the alternative hypothesis. The null hypothesis is the statement being tested. Usually, the null
hypothesis is a statement of "no effect" or "no difference". The alternative hypothesis is the
statement you want to be able to conclude is true.
Based on this sample data, the test determines whether to reject the null hypothesis. We will use
a p-value, to make the determination. If the p-value is less than or equal to the level of
significance, which is our cut-off point, then we are rejecting the null hypothesis and accepting
the one we have investigated.

154

�Table 1: H1: Music has an influence on customer’s behaviours and attitudes while shopping
Descriptive Statistics
N
Q9

1

Minimum

Maximum

Mean

Std. Deviation

125

0.00

2.00

1.07

0.340

Q181

125

1.00

3.00

1.74

0,720

Q211

125

1.00

4.00

2.32

1.126

Valid N (listwise)

125

Table 1 shows that the general average is 1.71. According to results of descriptive statistics we
can confirm that H1 is true which means that music has an influence on customer’s behaviours
and attitudes while shopping.
Also, the majority of participants feel comfortable when they enter a shop where music is played,
and also music loudness and choice of music has an effect on their staying in that store.
Table 2: H2: Slow music relaxes customers while purchasing some products or service.
Descriptive Statistics
N

Minimum

Maximum

Mean

Std. Deviation

Q111

125

1.00

3.00

2.02

,823

Q151

125

1.00

3.00

1.76

,807

Valid N (listwise)

125

Table 2 shows that slow music doesn’t relax customers while purchasing some products with
average mean of 1.89
Also, it shows that people generally does not like slow music in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also it
shows that music must be there to entertain and attract customers. Also, we should age, which
was mentioned earlier, where majority of participants are from age 15 to 25.

155

�Table 3: H3: Fast music makes customers aggressive while purchasing some products or service.

Table 3 shows with mean of 2,105 that fast music does not make customers aggressive while
purchasing some products or service. So this hypothesis is not true.
Also, we should mention that fast music is not an obstacle for some retailers to try to attract
customers of the younger population with loud and fast music in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Atmosphere of the store depends only if it is for younger or older people, rich or middle class.
Target audience is the most important thing.
Findings
Results in this study show that in Bosnia and Herzegovina young adults and young people
mostly have low awareness of music influence on their lives, and their daily routines. Especially
while shopping. Music is all around, no matter loud or slow. That significant level influences
their choices while purchasing products. Fast music on the other hand, as results show is not big
bug and undesirable for retailers, because younger population like such music, and they want to
be in that store, coffee shop or a market where music is played loud and clear. In other words,
retailers should choose carefully their target customers, and choose music accordingly to their
age, status, and product they want to sell.
This study can contribute to the following studies in the same or similar fields, being a base to
build larger and detailed research in this particular field in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Retailers
while reading this text can make steps for creating adequate, suitable and comfortable
atmosphere for target audience. Music has an impact on customer behaviour, still retailers need
to make orders first and target their class. In West, classical music is for rich stature; here it is not
the case. You can play it, but hardly anyone will come, if you have not developed your brand and
name on the market.
At the end, this research confirms previous research regarding influence of music on human
behaviour, especially arousal dimension (feelings, emotions), where music is mover and creator
of good, healthy atmosphere, where retailers and customers can profit from each other.
Money is time, and time is money but the music is everywhere around us

156

�Conclusion
This research is the master theases that was conducted among people of younger age, and older
with not so qualified knowledge of English, was asked questions about music’s influence on
consumer’s behavior. It is well known that music is all around, and its power of persuasion can
be used in retail stores.
This study represents young people - high school students (125 respondents) are showing music
influence on their daily life, their behavior and which type of music they prefer. They are also
showing difference that loud and slow music is played, and that positive atmosphere, or music of
their choice will make them comfortable and they will stay longer in the shop and according with
that, they would spend more. However, music taste is not guarantee for success. Every retail
owner must decide his target audience, class of people and then decide which type, what kind of
music will be played, and which customers will they attract.
Some previous results done have shown that for retailers it is important to consider building
adequate and proper atmospherics and music environment, especially because young adult’s
perception can be altered, and similarity between music and the brand/retail product can have a
reflect on consumers’ in-store reaction, staying time and brand perception.
References
Alpert, J. I., &amp; Alpert, M. I. (1990). Music Influences on Mood and Purchase Intentions.
Psychology and Marketing, 7(2), 109-33.
Malhotra, N. K. (2009). Marketing Research: An Applied Orientation. Prentice Hall.
Dillman-Carpentier, F., &amp; Potter, R. F. (2007). Effects of Music on Physiological Arousal:
Explorations into Tempo and Genre. Media Psychology, 10(3), 339-363.

157

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DUMAN, Teoman</text>
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                <text>Abstract: Attitudes and behaviours of young adults toward music in retail environments in Bosnia and  Herzegovina are in focus of retailers. The retailers want to attract more customers by creating an  atmosphere for a particular type of people, class, age, with desired products. Influence of music can be  seen all around the globe. Industry professionals make millions of dollars by producing and creating new  songs and rhythms in special events (Example: Shakira; World Cup 2010). Music in Bosnia and  Herzegovina is well spread, and it can be one of the best places to see how music influences human lives  and their habits. It is well-known fact that Bosnian’s devote most of the time by listening to music and use  it as a motivation or charm of happiness to forget everyday problems. For Bosnians, music is like a sweet  drink, escapade from problems and life motivation. Music is their inborn gift, and for this study, Bosnia  and Herzegovina is the right place to see how much music impacts young adults, and how retails stores  can benefit from it.    This study used previous research as a guideline to show the impact of certain music genre on  consumer’s behavior and attitude in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The focus of research was to test the  impact of music on young adult’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral level, particularly with regard to  attitudes and perceptions, and moods and feelings in the retail environment. Research data were  collected from young adults in Sarajevo during the winter months of 2016. In total, 125 questionnaires  were collected and used in data analysis. Research results showed that music is very important in making  retail choices for young adults in Sarajevo. Also, the pace and type of music were found to be influential  on retail choices of young adults who participated in the research study.    Keywords: Music, retail choices, young adults, Sarajevo.</text>
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                    <text>2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010 Sarajevo

Attitudes and Motivation of Learners of French as a Second Language
towards Computer Assisted Language Learning
Assoc. Prof. .Dr. Şeref KARA
Uludag University
serefk@uludag.edu.tr
Abstract: This study focuses on computer assisted language learning and the
attitude of the learners who are enrolled in French department at Uludag
University. A total of 42 learners in French programme at Uludag University
participated in the study as subjects. They were given questionnaire in pre-test and
post-test at the beginning of the academic period and tree months later to observe
whether there were any changes in their attitude towards computer assisted
learning. The data were collected in the 2009-2010 education-instruction year. The
data obtained in the study was analysed using the SPSS statistics computer
programme. It was also found out that the CALL method supported with the
language learning programme was more effective in positive development of
achievement levels of learners. The results exposed that there occurred positive
changes in the attitudes of the subjects towards computer assisted language
learning during three months. Although most learners accept changes in teaching
delivery and welcome the enrichment provided by new educational tools, some
refuse them. Differences in learning styles exist, and will continue to exist, and
cannot be dismissed.
Key words: Computer Assisted Language Learning, French foreign language
teaching, attitude, computer, learner, test, assessment.

Introduction
Recently, computers have become so widespread in schools and homes and their uses have expanded so
dramatically that the majority of language teachers must now begin to think about the implications of computers
for language learning. With technological developments human life is getting easier day by day. Computers are
among the greatest devices presented us by technology. With the introduction of computers in education, there
seemed important changes in teaching and learning method. In recent years, the rapid evolution of information
and communication technology (ICT) has made great changes in societies and education. The Internet,
particularly, has become a useful tool for communication, a venue for experiencing different cultures and a
mediator in diverse political, social and economical situations.The teacher got the role of being a facilitator
rather than being authority. When the modern education conception is examined carefully, it can be seen that
implementation of computers in foreign language education and learner centred approach are practically at the
same time. This research aims to find out the changes in the attitudes of the learners in French programme at
Uludag University towards computer assisted language learning. Are there any differences between the attitudes
of the learners who have participated in French Programme in their previous life and after tree month exposure
process to computer assisted language learning?
A student's attitude and motivation has frequently been reported to be the most critical factor for success within
computer-assisted language learning (CALL) environments (Brandl, 2002). Motivation, according to Winne and
Marx (1989), is both a condition for, and a result of, effective instruction. Based on these claims, it is plausible to
speculate that students' motivation plays an important role in successful CALL implementation and that, if used
effectively, the CALL environment can enhance students' motivation to learn a foreign language. This study
investigated the role of motivation and attitudes on student French foreign learning in an online course context. It
also examined how this new foreign learning environment affected students' attitudes and motivation, and how
this, in turn, affected students' foreign learning.
There are similar definitions of computer assisted language learning. CALL is defined as a method to language
teaching and learning in which computer technology is used as an aid to the presentation reinforcement and
assessment of material to be learned including a substantial interactive element. Most FLT specialists agree that

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CALL is a tool which helps teachers to facilitate language learning process. They think that CALL can be used
to reinforce what has been learned in the classrooms. It might also be used as an alternative help for the learners.
Although most research (Meskill, 1996), suggests that comprehension is aided by the conjunction of aural/visual
processing if there is congruence between the verbal and visual elements, some students may experience
(especially in a non-native language) perceptual/cognitive overload and feel that information in ready-made
multimedia lectures escapes them (Burston &amp; Monville-Burston, 1996; (Monville)-Burston, 1997) )
There is no doubt that CALL has developed a lot since the day it was introduced to education field. Recently
teachers have started to consider the use of computers as an indispensable part of foreign language teaching and
learning process. Due to technological advancement, computer has the potential part of foreign language
teaching and learning. Communicative CALL gained praise among educationalists and communicative CALL is
largely based on communicative method in language learning. In this approach it is argued that computer based
exercises should focus more on using forms. There are many explications suggesting the importance of studentstudent interaction in communicative CALL among French foreign language specialists. In communicative
CALL the focus shouldn’t be on what students do with the computer but rather what they do with each other
while working at the computer.

Gardner's Socio-educational Model of Foreign Language Learning (FLL)
The role of foreign learning motivation has been intensively studied by social psychologists in Canada, where
French and English are the two official languages. Gardner (1985) hypothesized that foreign language learners
with positive attitudes toward the target culture and people will learn the target language more effectively than
those who do not have such positive attitudes. In their earlier studies, Gardner and Lambert (1959) found that
aptitude and motivation were the two factors most strongly associated with learners' second language
achievement. Gardner and MacIntyre (1993) drew together the findings from many studies over several decades
and developed Gardner's “socio-educational model of FLL” (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Representation of Socio-educational Model of SLA (Gardner &amp; MacIntyre, 1993)

Proponents of this model of SLA (Gardner &amp; MacIntyre, 1992, 1993) claim that individual-difference variables
interact with both formal and informal language acquisition contexts and influence both linguistic and nonlinguistic outcomes. Gardner and MacIntyre (1993, p. 9) argue that this model shows the importance of what
takes place in the learning contexts: “Teachers, instructional aids, curricula, and the like clearly have an effect on
what is learned and how students react to the experience.” The model also predicts that student' linguistic

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outcomes and affects their non-linguistic outcomes and that both types of outcomes will have an influence on
individual-difference variables including language attitudes and motivation.

The role of the computer in French Foreign Language (FFL)
There are diverse opinions among language specialists about the role of computer and the teacher in CALL
programmes. The difference between computer as a tutor and computer as instrument is the most ordinary
discussion in the field. When the character of CALL is examined carefully, it can be easily recognised that the
view of computer as instrument became more prevalent with the arrival of the multimedia computer and internet.
From the teacher’ position, the computer is totally dependant on the teacher in many ways. It is unable to create
educational materials without a human to direct it. The progressive view is that teacher should take a less
intrusive role in managing language learning with the arrival of multimedia. Teacher should take the role of
facilitator rather than being the unique authority. We can refer to the teacher as a mediator between the computer
and learners throughout the learning process, serving the role of keeping things running smoothly.
The computers have some specific advantage as organising of materials, including volume of material and
random presentation, scoring and record-keeping, graphics and animation, including allowing student control,
recording and storage of learner responses. Certain design issues affect just how interesting the particular tool
creates motivation. It must be surely accepted that CALL is a method in which four skills of the target language
can be practised effectively. By choosing the correct software programme, both productive and receptive skills
can be concentrated. Another advantage of CALL is that target culture could be transmitted to the learners
through authentic software programmes.
Computers have a useful contribution to the development of oral skills when they are used wisely. Computer
simulations are really motivating for the learners. For example dialogues studies can be done with the help of the
movie parts in computers and intonation exercises might be added to these activities.
For listening skills in CALL many techniques can be used to develop listening skills of the learners. By listening
to the speakers in software programme without any subtitles, learners will be exposed to natural sounds of the
target language. Learners will pay attention to pronunciation of particular words and compare their own
pronunciation with native ones.
There are a lot of books and research papers that discuss whether classic class lessons or CALL programmes are
more effective in foreign language learning. Several articles have been found which are trying to reflect learners’
feedback about CALL. For example the study of Ayres examines learner attitudes towards the use of CALL and
their perceived view of its relevancy to their course of study. This study reports whether there was any relation
between the perceived usefulness of CALL, and the students’ level of computer literacy, language level and the
age.

Methodology and Subjects of the study
There are two main purpose of this study. French language programme in French programme at Uludag
University is discussed with its main frames and its integration with CALL is focused on. The number of the
participants in the study was limited to the number of 4th grade class students. The attitude of the learners
towards computer assisted language learning and possible changes in their attitudes towards CALL in a tree
month process are examined. For this research, qualitative approach is considered to be the most convenient one
because it is based on the idea of making sense of the data. The data collected from the questionnaire were
evaluated with qualitative approach; but quantitative approach was also used to count and measure the data in
order to analyse the results.
The subjects of this study are the students of French programme at Uludag University during 2009-2010
academic year. It is a well-known reality that questionnaire are used data collection instruments in descriptive
studies. To learn the attitudes of the students who are enrolled in French programme at Uludag University
towards CALL, a questionnaire was applied to them twice in the format of pre-test and post-test. Questions in
both pre-test and post-test were the same so as to observe probable difference in their attitude towards CALL in
tree month process. The questionnaire was applied to the subjects in their mother language and a description

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�2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010 Sarajevo
about the questionnaire was given to the learners. The questionnaire includes totally 7 questions. In the
evaluation phase of the questionnaire, all data were processed in SPSS and analysed using different analysis
programmes.
The purpose of the present questionnaire was to learn whether there occurred any changes in the attitudes of
Uludag University French Programme learner towards CALL in tree-month process. For this motive, the
questionnaire was applied to the learners twice to see the possible changes in their attitudes towards CALL.

The Results and Analysis of learner’s responses
When we examine the answers of the learners to item 1 “I believe that using computers in French foreign
language learning is a motivation”, they seem really positive in pre-test. The aim of this item is to learn the ideas
of the subjects about the motivational aspect of using computers in French foreign language learning. We can
say that the learners think that CALL is really a useful method in French foreign language learning. When we
look the answers of the learners in both pre-test and post-test, we can say that they believe that using computers
in French foreign language learning is a motivation way in many aspects. As well known, learners use computers
in many fields of their life; but it is not frequent to use computers in foreign language learning among the
learners. In item 2 “I think that CALL is really an effective method in French foreign language learning”, the
learners are relatively optimistic to CALL. The learners had a positive attitude towards computers assisted
language learning with arithmetical average more than 85% in both pre-test and post-test. In general, they
believe that CALL is an effective approach in French foreign language learning. It can be said that the learners
have the assumption that CALL can be an effective method. In item 3 “I believe that computers will give me
indispensable feedback when I make mistake”, the learners had the idea that the computers would not give
necessary feedback if they make mistakes and be a good guide for them to reach the right point during their
activities in tests. In pre-test, it can be seen that the learners had a negative attitudes towards computers’ giving
indispensable feedback when they make mistakes during CALL activities. In item 4 “I think that using
computers in French foreign language is more useful than coursebooks in terms of verbal and non-verbal
forms”, the aim of this item is to learn the idea of learners on transmission the target culture through computers
and comparing the use of computers and coursebooks from this perspective. We can conclude that the learners
have positive attitudes towards learning the target culture through computers after tree-month CALL exposure.
They consider that the computers realize superior work than coursebooks in transmission the target culture while
teaching the French foreign language. In item 5 “The studies in computer assisted French language learning are
mainly individual and there is no interaction among the learners”, when the arithmetical average of this item is
examined, it can be say that the learners don’t consider the studies in CALL boring. They don’t agree with the
statement in this item. The situation has not changed in post-test. We can say that the learners do not think the
studies in CALL boring after tree-month. In item 6 “CALL which is not maintained by classic classroom lessons
can cause learners’ teamwork skills to disappear”, from the results obtained in pre-test, it can be put forward
that the learners disagree with the idea that CALL is not supported by classical classroom lessons can cause
students’ teamwork skills to disappear. In item 7 “Can you suggest improvements that could be made to the
physical presentation of lectures?” The aim of the question was to elicit students' comments on various aspects
of the physical presentation of lectures which concerned the researchers. Overall it appears that students were
more tolerant than would have been expected. Two complained about the occasional flickering of the screen, two
about the necessity of having dimmed lights; except for one exception they considered that the larger than
necessary capacity of the lecture theatre was not problematic. Learner performance varied widely and showed a
not unexpected relation with the responses given for item 7. The most adventurous learner the explorers were the
ones who had the most thorough knowledge of the structure and working of the computer. Two felt that
sometimes the “technology got in the way” (i.e. created a distance) and did not make the interaction between the
teacher and the class as easy as it would have been if the lecture had been delivered in a more conventional
fashion.
Informal remarks as well as the end of semester questionnaire seem to indicate that the use of computer by
students became more frequent and varied after questionnaire. We believe too that the interview had the effect of
convincing the students that they were given special attention.
The learners of the corpus do not agree with the description in this item. They may have thought that activities in
computer are not the activities which will cause their teamwork skills to disappear. We can say that majority of
the subjects participating in this research are afraid of failure in CALL process.

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Conclusion
The aim of our research was to collect experiential data on CALL, its application areas, its advantages and
disadvantages. What was investigated was the initial attitudes and reactions of learners after a tree-months of
use. The present research was contextualized at Uludag University French section. It was aimed to examine the
learners’ ideas and attitudes towards CALL. The data for the answers of the research questions were obtained
from the learners of French section. The instrument to accumulate data was a questionnaire which was applied to
the learners in the format of pre-test and post test. The possible needs of the learners for CALL applications were
also taken into consideration. It was recognised that tree months CALL experience process had a positive
consequence in the attitudes of the learners. .According to the answers of the learners to the questions in the
questionnaire, we can recognize that the learners had favourable attitudes towards computer assisted French
language learning. What was obtained was some preliminary indications on the usefulness and efficiency as
perceived by learners of a completely new way of delivering a content course in our language departments and
an innovating tool aimed at facilitating self-study. Learners with aversions to technology also deserve our
attention and support, and need to be provided with learning tools that they prefer. Student attitude to towards
educational technology in the classroom was overwhelmingly favourable. In some cases this positive attitude
was accompanied by enthusiasm, but an instrumentalist reaction was much more the norm. In general, students
felt that, like it or not, they had to adapt to the fact that teaching and learning were bound to become increasingly
computer-based. It may be useful through a self-assessment questionnaire, for example to be aware from the
beginning of the course of the cognitive and learning differences

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Reference
(Monville)-Burston, M. (1997). Varieties of French: Teaching sociolinguistics with multimedia. In J. Mason et
al. (Eds), Doing IT at Melbourne! 42-47. The University of Melbourne.
Barbot, M-J. et Pugibet, V. (2002). Apprentissages des langues et technologies : usages en émergence, Le
Français dans le Monde-Recherches et Applications, numéro spécial janvier 2002, Clé International.
Brandl, K. (2002, March). Students' attitudes and perceptions of learning: A comparative study of a classroom
based and web-based language course. Taking language instruction online: Progress or demise? Paper
presented at CALICO 2002, Davis, CA.
Brett, P. (1996). “Using multimedia: An investigation of learners' attitudes.” Computer Assisted Language
Learning, 9(2-3), 191-212.
Gardner, R. C. (1985). Social psychology and second language learning: The role of attitudes and motivation.
London: Edward Arnold.
Gardner, R. C., &amp; Lambert, W. E. (1959). Motivational variables in second language acquisition. Canadian
Journal of Psychology, 13 (4), 266-272.
Gardner, R. C., &amp; MacIntyre, P. D. (1992). A student's contribution to second language learning. Part I:
Cognitive variables. Language Teaching, 25, 211-220.
Gardner, R. C., &amp; MacIntyre, P. D. (1993). A student's contribution to second language learning. Part II:
Affective variables. Language Teaching, 26, 1-11.
Hérino, M., Petitgirard, J. (2002). Langues et multimédia : de la réflexion à la pratique, CRDP de l’académie de
Grenoble.
Lancien, T. (2004). De la vidéo à Internet : 80 activités thématiques, Hachette Education, Pratiques de la classe.
Mangenot F. (2000) « Quelles tâches dans ou avec les produits multimédias », in actes du colloque Triangle
XVII, "Multimédia et apprentissage des langues étrangères". Paris: ENS-Editions.
Meskill, C. (1996). “Listening skills development through multimedia.” Journal of Educational Multimedia and
Hypermedia, 5(2), 175-201.
Moll, L.C. (1990). Vygotsky and education. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.
Pius, T. H. (2003). “Computer-Assisted Language Learning and the Revolution in Computational Linguistics”.
Linguistik Online. May, 17.
Winne, P. H., &amp; Marx, R. W. (1989). A cognitive-processing analysis of motivation within classroom tasks. In
C. Ames &amp; R. Ames (Eds.), Research on motivation in education: Vol. 3. Goals and cognitions (pp. 223-257).
San Diego: Academic Press, Inc.

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                <text>This study focuses on computer assisted language learning and the  attitude of the learners who are enrolled in French department at Uludag  University. A total of 42 learners in French programme at Uludag University  participated in the study as subjects. They were given questionnaire in pre-test and  post-test at the beginning of the academic period and tree months later to observe  whether there were any changes in their attitude towards computer assisted  learning. The data were collected in the 2009-2010 education-instruction year. The  data obtained in the study was analysed using the SPSS statistics computer  programme. It was also found out that the CALL method supported with the  language learning programme was more effective in positive development of  achievement levels of learners. The results exposed that there occurred positive  changes in the attitudes of the subjects towards computer assisted language  learning during three months. Although most learners accept changes in teaching  delivery and welcome the enrichment provided by new educational tools, some  refuse them. Differences in learning styles exist, and will continue to exist, and  cannot be dismissed.</text>
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                    <text>2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010 Sarajevo

Attitudes of Education Faculty Students towards Compulsory English
Courses: The Case of Ağrı Ibrahim Ceçen University
Assist. Prof.Dr.Gencer ELKILIÇ
Kafkas University, Faculty of Science and Letters,
Department of Science and Letters
Kars,Turkey
gencerelkilic1322@hotmail.com
Inst.Adem AKALIN
Đbrahim Çeçen University, Ağrı, Turkey
ademakalin86@gmail.com
Inst.R.Mutlu SALMAN
Đbrahim Çeçen University, Ağrı, Turkey
rmutlusalman@gmail.com
Abstract: Attitudes toward learning a language is thought to be one of the most important factors
affecting the failure or success of the foreign language learners. In this respect, the aim of this study
was to determine the attitudes of Education Faculty students at Đbrahim Çeçen University, Ağrı,
Turkey, towards compulsory English courses. The subjects of this study were 249 Faculty of
Education students from 5 different departments. In the study, the relationship between attitudes of
the students towards such variables as demographic data related to the participants’ genders and
departments was searched using a foreign language attitude scale prepared by Çakıcı (2007). For
the data analysis, SPSS 17 program was used and for the assessment of the results independent
Sample t-test and descriptive statistics were used. According to the result of the study, at the
Education Faculty of Đbrahim Çeçen University 135 (54,2%) of the students had a negative attitude
towards compulsory English courses, whereas 114 (45,8%) of them had positive attitude. The results
of the study showed that there was a significant difference between the attitudes of male students and
female ones t(247)=2,45, p&lt;0,05. Female students had more positive attitudes (M =137,79) than
male students (M = 132,40).

Keywords : students’ attitudes, compulsory English, Ağrı Đbrahim Çeçen University,
gender, department

Introduction
Attitudes are considered to be one of the most important factors affecting the failure or success of
foreign language learners. Therefore, much research has been carried out to show the role of the beliefs and
attitudes of the students (Gardner, &amp; Lambert, 1972; Fishbein, &amp; Ajzen, 1975; Boykin, &amp; Trungamphai, 1982;
Horwitz, 1988, 1991; Saracaloğlu, 1992; Lanara, 1999; Ajzen &amp; Fishbein, 2000, 2005; Rifkin, 2000; Jernigan,
2001; Mattern &amp; Schau, 2002; Dornyei, 2003). Dornyei (2001) argues that unsuccessful learners’ lack of
learning attitude and motivation affects their learning in a negative way. Attitude and motivation play a
significant role in determining the learners’ level of achievement in language learning. According to Gardner
(1985) there is a strong connection between achievement and language attitude, motivation and anxiety. In his
two studies about the psychology of second language learning, Lambert (1963,1967, Cited in Reynolds &amp;
Lambert 1991) discussed some psychological theories related to language learning of Hebb (1949) and, Skinner
(1957) and the concept of language attitude of Carroll (1959). Lambert, in his article in 1963, described his
“Social Psychology of Second Language Learning” and “Psychology of Bilingualism.” Lambert’s theory
proposes that a learner who is acquiring a second language gradually gets various aspects of behavior that are
unique to the members of another cultural group. The learners’ attitudes toward the other group are believed to
determine their success in learning the new language and their motivation to learn is thought to be determined by
their attitudes.

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�2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010 Sarajevo
Problem
Although learning a foreign language is considered to be vital in Turkey, there hasn’t been much
progress in achieving it, except in private schools. Students learn a foreign language, namely English, at primary,
secondary, high school, and university level, however, with the exception of foreign language departments and
departments with preparatory classes, no satisfactory result has been reached.

Research Questions
1.Do students at Đbrahim Çeçen University in Education Faculty have a positive attitude towards compulsory
English courses?
2. Is there a significant difference in the attitudes of students in relation to their gender?

Methodology
This study was carried out to investigate the attitudes of Ağrı Đbrahim Çeçen University students’
attitudes towards compulsory English courses in relation to departments and genders.
Participants
The subjects of this study were 249 students (164 males and 85 females) from Education Faculty.
Instrument
A language attitude scale formed by (Çakıcı, 2007) was used in this study. The scale aimed to measure
four aspects of the participants; affective features (Cronbach Alpha: 0.95), perceptions about the usefulness and
importance the compulsory foreign language (Cronbach Alpha: 0.87), the reasons for negativity (Cronbach
Alpha: 0.77), and the reasons related to the teacher (Cronbach Alpha: 0.79). The questionnaire was composed of
two parts. First part was prepared to elicit demographic information related to the participants. The second part
consisted of a 45- question containing 5- point likert-type scale that attempted to determine the attitudes of the
first year students towards English as a common compulsory course. Of 45 statements in the second part, 26
were positive and 19 were negative.
Procedure
In order to use the attitude scale in the study, a permission e-mail was sent to Dilek Çakı on 22nd
02.2010. Çakıcı responded our e-mail on 03rd 03.2010, accepting our using her attitude scale. Then on 15th 03.
2010 an official permission was requested from the authorities of Ağrı Đbrahim Çeçen University and the
authorities accepted our proposal. 0n 14th March we administered the questionnaire to 249 students from five
different departments of Education Faculty during the class hours.
Data Analysis
For the data analysis SPSS 17 for windows was used and significance level was set as 0,05. For the
statistics, descriptive statistics and independent simple t-test were used.

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�2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010 Sarajevo

Results
Anaysis of Demographic Data
Gender and Department
As can be seen in Table 1, mostly the participants were from Primary School Teaching 80 (32,1%) and
from Social sciences 68 (27,3%).
Gender
%

Department
Primary School Teaching

N
80

32,1

Teaching of Physical Education

43

17,3

Social Sciences

68

27,3

Turkish Language Teaching

46

18,5

Preschool Teaching

12

04,8

Total

249

100,0

Table 1.The Numbers and Percentages of the Participants according to the Departments.
As for the other departments, 46 (18,5) were from Turkish Language Teaching department, 43 (17,3%)
from Teaching of Physical Education department, and 12 (4,8%) were from Preschool Teaching department,
respectively. 164 of the students were males and 85 females.
The high schools and departments and the University
The high schools, the participants graduated from and their departments at the Education faculty of Đbrahim
Çeçen University have been given in Table2.

Department
at the University
Primary
School
Teaching
Teaching
of
Physical Education
Social Sciences
Turkish Language
Teaching
Preschool Teaching
Total

High School Type
General
Private
High School College
N
%
N
%
60
24
01
0,01

Anatolian
High School
N
%
19
08

Vocational
High School
N
%
00
00

36

14

00

0,00

04

02

03

0,12

62
41

25
16

01
00

0,01
0,00

05
04

02
02

00
01

00
0,01

00
02

0,00
0, 1

06
38

2,4
15

02
06

01
2,4

04
203

02
82

Table 2.High School Types of the Participants and their Departments
As seen in Table 2, of 249 students 203(82%) came from general high school, 38 (15%) from Anatolian
high school, 6(2,4%) from vocational high school and 2 (0,1) from private college.
Having English Lessons at Secondary and High Schools
Course Taken
Yes

N

%

187

75,1

No

62

24,9

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�2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010 Sarajevo
Table 3.The numbers and Percentages of the Participants having English Lessons at Secondary and High School
It is clear in Table 3 that 187 (75,1%) of the students had English courses at secondary and high school, while
62(24,9) didn’t have.
English Level of the Students
English level of the students have been given in Table 4.
Knowledge
Little
Medium
Good
Excellent
Total

N
174
42
29
04
249

f
69,09
16,09
11,6
01,6
100
Table 4. English Levels of the Students

According to Table 4, 174 (69,09%) of the students had little knowledge of English, 42 (16,09%) had
medium, 29 (11,6%) had good, and 04 (1,6) had excellent, respectively. Therefore, it is clear that students mostly
didn’t have enough knowledge of English.
Attending to a Private Course
According to the results of the study, none of the students attended any private courses.
Analysis of the Research Questions
Research Question 1: Do students at Đbrahim Çeçen University in Education Faculty have a positive attitude
towards compulsory English courses?
In determining the attitudes of the students, the means of the responses were taken into consideration(M= 132,
S=31,91). If the total scores of the subjects were under the mean value, they were considered as negative
attitude, if ever than the mean value then they were considered as positive attitude. The result have been given in
Table5.
Atitude
Positive

N

%

114

45,8

Negative

135

54,2

Table5.Attitudes of Subjects towards Compulsory English Courses
As seen in Table 5, 135 (54,2%) of the students had a negative attitude towards compulsory English
courses, whereas 114 (45,8%) of them had positive attitude.
The highest attitude scores were “I believe the essence of English to be able to communicate with
people who speak this language”(M=4,09, S=1,25, “I envy people who speak English fluently” (M=3,81,
S=1,40), “I think knowledge of English improves the individual's general knowledge” (M=3,81, S=1,40). The
lowest attitude scores were “I never want English courses to be finish” (M=2,15, S=1,18), “I'm more willing to
study English than other courses” (M=2,26, S=1,30), and “I like studying English at my free time” (M=2,32,
S=1,24), respectively.
Research Question 2: Is there a significant difference in the attitudes of students in relation to their gender?
The results of the study have been given in Table 6.
Gender
Male

N

X

S

sd

t

164

132,40

18,12

247

2,45

184

P
,015

�2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010 Sarajevo
Female

85

137,79

12,79

Table 6.Attitudes of Male and Female Students towards Compulsory Foreign language
It is clearly seen in Table 6 that there was a significant difference between the attitudes of male
students and female ones t(247)=2,45, p&lt;0,05. Female students had more positive attitudes (X =137,79) than
male ones did (X = 132,40).

Discussion and Conclusion
Burstall (1975) claims that indices of attitudes and motivation are strongly related to success in the
second language. Likewise, McDonough (1986) and Skehan (1998) assert that second language acquisition is a
cyclical process: strong motivation and positive attitude may lead to the desired level of success in learning a
second language process. However, in this study it is clear that most of the participants had a negative attitude
towards compulsory English courses and therefore, this may cause them failure.
In a study carried out at Dokuz Eylül University by Çakıcı (2007), it was determined that there was no
significant difference between the gender and the attitudes of the students. Similarly, Karaş (1996) and
Saracaloğlu (1996) found no gender difference in their studies. However, Graham (1990) , Saracaloğlu(2000),
and Spolsky (1989) found out that females had a significantly much more positive attitude towards foreign
language learning. Our study is in paralel with Graham and Spolsky, as female students had a significantly more
positive attitude than males did.
As a result, in order to make students have more positive attitudes towards compulsory English
courses, teachers should:
1.plan the courses according to interests and levels of the students.
2.present the lessons in different techniques such as role plays and dramas.
3.benefit from information technologies.
4.encourage students to participate in the classroom activities.
5.create a friendly atmosphere in the class.
6.provide group works and pair works.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank to Dr. Dilek Çakıcı for letting us use her attitude scale and to authorities of Đbrahim
Çeçen University for letting us carry out the study and to the students at the faculty of Education for participating
in the study.

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�2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010 Sarajevo

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                <text>Attitudes toward learning a language is thought to be one of the most important factors  affecting the failure or success of the foreign language learners. In this respect, the aim of this study  was to determine the attitudes of Education Faculty students at Đbrahim Çeçen University, Ağrı,  Turkey, towards compulsory English courses. The subjects of this study were 249 Faculty of  Education students from 5 different departments. In the study, the relationship between attitudes of  the students towards such variables as demographic data related to the participants’ genders and  departments was searched using a foreign language attitude scale prepared by Çakıcı (2007). For  the data analysis, SPSS 17 program was used and for the assessment of the results independent  Sample t-test and descriptive statistics were used. According to the result of the study, at the  Education Faculty of Đbrahim Çeçen University 135 (54,2%) of the students had a negative attitude  towards compulsory English courses, whereas 114 (45,8%) of them had positive attitude. The results  of the study showed that there was a significant difference between the attitudes of male students and  female ones t(247)=2,45, p&lt;0,05. Female students had more positive attitudes (M =137,79) than  male students (M = 132,40).</text>
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                    <text>Attitudes of Foreign Language Students towards Environment
Ülkü Eser Ünaldi &amp; Abdullah Türker
Gazi Üniversitesi/ Ankara, Turkey
Key words: Environmental, environmental awareness, attitude, attitude scale
ABSTRACT
Researches conducted so far demonstrated that environmental pollution increases every passing day. Sustainable
development and habitable future will only be possible with individuals sensitive towards environment. In
developing awareness about environment in an individual, education has a great impact in addition the family and
friends. While important studies are conducted in relation to environmental education and protection of environment
in some countries, environment is almost ignored in human activities in the other countries. Wrong practices and
developments in the surrounding environment indicate that the awareness towards environment is low in our
country. At this point, our schools and teachers play an absolutely crucial role. This role does not only belong to the
teachers of geography and biology courses where related topics are addressed. Teachers of the other branches should
also possess an awareness concerning environment and convey this to their students in a way related to their
branches. Foreign language teachers have a crucial role in raising environmental awareness in order to convey
studies conducted in foreign countries and make comparisons between countries. To this end, foreign language
teachers should have a good environmental awareness. It is beyond doubt that a teacher who does not have a
positive attitude towards environment can not raise individuals with high environmental awareness. In this context,
this study was conducted to investigate the attitudes of Foreign Language students towards environment. Within the
scope of the study, a five-point likert type attitude scale developed by Bilgi (2007) and a questionnaire containing
variables which are thought to affect attitudes towards environment were applied to freshmen and seniors studying
at the Department of Foreign Languages of Education Faculty of Gazi University. The obtained data were analyzed
by SPSS (Statistical Package Program for Social Sciences) and the impacts of sex, type of settlement where students
lived for the most of his/her life, education statuses of parents and university education and class level, in particular,
on the attitudes of Foreign Language students towards environment were examined.

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                <text>Key words: Environmental, environmental awareness, attitude, attitude scale  ABSTRACT  Researches conducted so far demonstrated that environmental pollution increases every passing day. Sustainable development and habitable future will only be possible with individuals sensitive towards environment. In developing awareness about environment in an individual, education has a great impact in addition the family and friends. While important studies are conducted in relation to environmental education and protection of environment in some countries, environment is almost ignored in human activities in the other countries. Wrong practices and developments in the surrounding environment indicate that the awareness towards environment is low in our country. At this point, our schools and teachers play an absolutely crucial role. This role does not only belong to the teachers of geography and biology courses where related topics are addressed. Teachers of the other branches should also possess an awareness concerning environment and convey this to their students in a way related to their branches. Foreign language teachers have a crucial role in raising environmental awareness in order to convey studies conducted in foreign countries and make comparisons between countries. To this end, foreign language teachers should have a good environmental awareness. It is beyond doubt that a teacher who does not have a positive attitude towards environment can not raise individuals with high environmental awareness. In this context, this study was conducted to investigate the attitudes of Foreign Language students towards environment. Within the scope of the study, a five-point likert type attitude scale developed by Bilgi (2007) and a questionnaire containing variables which are thought to affect attitudes towards environment were applied to freshmen and seniors studying at the Department of Foreign Languages of Education Faculty of Gazi University. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package Program for Social Sciences) and the impacts of sex, type of settlement where students lived for the most of his/her life, education statuses of parents and university education and class level, in particular, on the attitudes of Foreign Language students towards environment were examined.</text>
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                    <text>2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010 Sarajevo

Attitudes of Pupils to TV Show Based Vocabulary Teaching in EFL Classes
Mehmet Akdoğan
International School of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia
makdoga@gmail.com
Melih Karakuzu
Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
mkarakuzu@yahoo.com
Harun Baştuğ
Sarajevo College, Sarajevo, Bosnia
harunbastug@yahoo.com
Abstract: This paper argues how current popular TV Shows can increase motivation and help
the pupils learn vocabulary in a fast and an effective way. They can serve as great time savers
and more memorable activities for the benefit of them. The use of vocabulary in a meaningful
context adds up to its invaluable outcome in terms of student participation and attitudes
towards the lessons. Moreover, an ELT teacher may construct his/her own teaching material
out of these shows and plans the vocabulary teaching lessons according to the needs of the
pupils. It is also believed that all of the pupils would like to have and enjoy these shows as
their vocabulary lessons regardless of their gender. Seven sample lessons taken from a
comedy show called "My Name is Earl" are used in the study to illustrate the case. The study
was applied to 50 students in International School of Sarajevo.

Introduction
The use of technology, specifically multimedia, for foreign language instruction has expanded rapidly in the
world especially during the last few decades. Studies of the effect of technology-enhanced instruction on
achievement and studies of student attitudes regarding learning with technology have also increasingly been
reported. Moreover, a student's attitude and motivation has frequently been reported to be the most critical factor
for success within computer-assisted language learning environments (Brandl, 2002; Desmarais, 2002; Doherty,
2002; Gilbert, 2001; Murday &amp; Ushida, 2002; Warschauer, 1996a, 1996b). Motivation, according to Winne and
Marx (1989), is both a condition for, and a result of, effective instruction. Hence, it is plausible to speculate that
students' motivation plays an important role in successful CALL implementation and that, if used effectively, the
CALL environment can enhance students' motivation to learn a second language (L2). Thus, especially in the
recent years, language teachers have made use of different videos to enhance teaching vocabulary in their
classroom settings. Traditionally, two main uses of video have been distinguished: instructional video,
specifically created to teach foreign languages, and authentic video materials, such as films, TV series,
commercials, etc., originally created for native speakers of the language. The great value of these video comes
from its combination of sounds, images, and sometimes text (as subtitles), together with the socio-cultural
information about habits, traditions, culture, etc. All this makes it a very comprehensible tool for teaching
vocabulary to foreign language students.
Based on these, this study investigated the role of TV Shows on student L2 vocabulary learning and how this, in
turn, affected students' attitudes. The present study reports data from an investigation of the attitudes of students’
own vocabulary learning, based on the TV show called My Name is Earl. It also sought to determine whether
students have positive or negative attitudes towards the use of TV Shows while studying vocabulary. A
comparison was also made between the scores of the male and female participants.

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L2 Vocabulary Acquisition
There is considerable evidence that L1 learners acquire a large amount of their vocabulary through guessing
from context (Sternberg, 1987). The frequency at which the L1 learner encounters words, and the variety of
contexts in which words are encountered, ensure that the learner will eventually come across most new words in
a context where the word is guessable. It is suggested however that foreign language students do not undergo the
same rich and varied exposure to vocabulary (Singleton, 1999). As a result, although EFL students quickly learn
many of the high frequency words that occur in teaching materials, they experience a breakdown in their ability
to guess from context when faced with the much lower frequency words found in unsimplified texts. This is
because the low-frequency words found in unsimplified texts make up too large a proportion of those texts. In
other words, since there are not enough familiar words in the text for the learner to use as clues, guessing
unfamiliar words from context becomes extremely difficult or impossible. Moreover, these low frequency words
as well as high frequency ones are not easily and comfortably used in meaningful contexts by the EFL students.
Thus, most of the students have difficulty in using their vocabulary knowledge in real life. One of the most
effective ways to overcome this problem is to find appropriate authentic materials to provide sample cases to
illustrate the usage of these words/phrases.

The Study
Each individual has his/her own beliefs about the materials introduced and these perceptions play a great role in
their learning process. According to Krashen (1987), "comprehensible input" and the affective state are the true
causes of language acquisition. On this hypothesis, production exercises would be relevant to language
acquisition only insofar as they lower affective barriers or provide additional comprehensible input. In our study,
the words/phrases in glossary parts have been chosen based on the teacher’s observations about the students and
frequent use and difficulty level of the target vocabulary has been taken into consideration. In the study, the
vocabulary lessons are based on the TV show called “My Name is Earl (Season 1)” and they have been used
once a

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week for 7 weeks in a row from March 8 to April 23 2010. During the lessons, firstly the glossary parts with
between 15 to 20 words are studied/reviewed. Then, the students are asked to take a look at the gap fill
questions. The pupils are supposed to fill in the gaps while watching the TV show with subtitles. After the
seventh episode, questionnaires with 20 questions were delivered personally to respondents. The questionnaire
contained five graded Likert Scale questions, which measured the interest, effectiveness and usefulness of the
course elements. The approach used for developing the instrument was practical: questions were formulated in
order to evaluate student attitudes and feelings towards these lessons (see Table 1).
A total of 50 questionnaires were distributed and all were received during the same class period, resulting in
response rate of 100 percent. Respondents’ anonymity was ensured by asking them not to identify themselves in
any way other than circling their gender. The sample for this study was selected conveniently from three
different classes of International School of Sarajevo, BIH. The sample included teenagers aged from 14 to 15
only. Gender was represented by 50 percent males and 50 percent females.

Findings
All the results are statistically analyzed in our study. Firstly, we take 3 as our medium point as we use a five
graded Likert Scale. When we look at table 2, it shows us how different the averages are from our average point,

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�2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010 Sarajevo
which is 3 according to our scale. The study suggests that the higher our t value and the lower our p value (the
authors have based their study on 0.05 p value), the more difference we have. The values lower than 0.05 are
considered to be significantly different from 3; on the other hand, the ones over 0.05 are considered to be same
with 3. In other words, the respondents think positively on the values with a p value of lower than 0.05; however,
they are indecisive

about the questions whose values are over 0.05. In our study, all of the p values in this case are 0, which means
that all of the students think positively on these vocabulary lessons based on TV shows. Especially, they want
most to have more vocabulary lessons based on TV Shows and then secondly, they agree that these lessons are
their favorite vocabulary lessons and these lessons are interesting and they enjoy them a lot. On the other hand,
in spite of thinking still positively on having a chance to review the target vocabulary by watching the related
episode at home, they seem to be least decisive about this item.

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As for Table 3, it is used to find out if there is significance in the attitudes of males and females towards the
vocabulary lessons. Again, we should keep in mind that, we have based our study on 0.05 p value. As suggested
in statistical analysis researches, the higher the t value and the lower the p value, the more difference we have
between the respondents’ attitudes. According to the study, in 18 of the items there are no significant differences
but in only question 16 and 8, males and females think significantly different. That is to say, in all other cases,
there is no big difference in the beliefs, perceptions and attitudes between the male and female pupils, both of the
groups have similar attitudes towards the lessons, they think more or less the same; however, the males think that
they come to the lessons with greater motivation thanks to these lessons compared to the females. Moreover,
again the male pupils believe more than the female ones do that these lessons help them with their speaking
skills.

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Suggestions for Further Research
All in all, both girls and boys have positive attitudes towards all of the questions and the lessons in return. In
item 16 and 8, the boys seem to think more positively compared to the girls and find the lessons more enjoyable
and fun but it may be because of many reasons including the main characters’ being men and these men’s being
better natured than the female characters. These all are topics for further research with TV shows whose main
characters are good females. Then, we can have a better and healthier analysis on this gender difference
issue...etc. Moreover, all of the participants are 14-15 year old teenagers in our case and the research could be
applied to younger children, late teenagers and even adults to see their attitudes and compare them with the
findings of this research. As stated earlier, in this study the same comedy show has been used in the classroom in
this study; however, different kinds of TV Shows should also be used and compared and contrasted to have a
better understanding of the situation.

Limitations of the Research
The participants chosen are all from the author’s present classes. Therefore, their response to the author’s
questions may not be 100% reliable. The reliability may not be guaranteed because they are the author’s students
and they may have certain worries when replying the questions. And they may have their own preferences and
they have different levels of learning English, from B2 to C2. And still they may like or dislike answering some
of the questions, thus the answers may be not completely accurate. And what is more, the author’s knowledge of
computer may not be sufficient. In addition, the questions may not cover all the essential aspects of these
vocabulary lessons.

Conclusion
By and large, student evaluation of TV show based courses showed that the participants had a highly positive
attitude towards implementations especially with respect to enjoying these lessons and asking for more of this
kind of vocabulary lessons. Eliciting ideas on course improvements showed that students would like to watch TV
shows during the classes as much as possible for different reasons mentioned. Some significant benefits for
students related to the use of TV shows in classrooms include increased motivation, improvement in student
involvement and great help with basic skills, as well as more student-centered learning and motivation to coming
to the lessons, and more active processing with better recall. It is observed that students appear to gain
confidence assessing their own learning too.
All things considered, foreign language words are learned better when directly associated with appropriate
nonverbal referents; this efficient association can only be found in real life or in authentic video. In the type of
activities advocated in this paper, authentic video as TV shows is not there to overload learners with unknown
language (as the detractors of the use of authentic input could claim); thanks to a series of activities that surround
a previously selected clip from beginning to end, the viewing is controlled and directly addressed to the teacher’s
goals for a particular lesson.
Therefore, just as vocabulary teaching and learning should not be divorced from the classroom setting,
vocabulary teaching and learning should not be separated from the use of authentic video in class because
students learn the vocabulary best in meaningful contexts and the TV shows are of great significance in this
manner that they contain lots of real life cases and speech patterns…etc. for the benefit of the EFL learners.
Thereore, the positive effects of the shows should not be ignored but stressed and encouraged through different
approaches and techniques. The encouraging impact of the TV show based course has been estimated as highly
positive in regard to student attitudes both towards the course and vocabulary learning and as expected, this
study confirmed many presumptions including the one about gender differences. Finally, it has been seen that the
pupils would like to have more and more TV shows and they feel the positive atmosphere of these lessons not
only during but also before and after the lessons.

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References
My Name Is Earl Season 1 DVD (2005) created by Greg Garcia, NBC television Network
Danan, M. (1992) Reversed subtitling and dual coding theory: New directions for foreign language
instruction. Language Learning, 42, 497-527.
Eiko Ushida, “The Role of Students’ Attitudes and Motivation in Second Language Learning in Online
Language Courses” University of California, San Diego Calico Journal, Vol 23, No. 1 (September 2005)
Ghadirin, S. (2001) Providing controlled exposure to target vocabulary through the screening and arranging of
texts. Language Learning and Technology, 6(1): 147-164.
J. Stepp-Greany, “Student Perceptions on Language Learning in a Technological Environment: Implications for
the New Millennium” Language Learning &amp; Technology, Vol. 6, No.1, pp. 165-180, January 2002.
Krashen, S. D. (1987). Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: PrenticeHall.
Singleton D. (1999) Exploring the second language mental lexicon . Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.
Sternberg, R.J. (1987). Most vocabulary is learned from context. In M.G. McKeown &amp; M.E. Curtis (Eds.), The
nature of vocabulary acquisition (pp. 89-105). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Winne, P. H. &amp; Marx, R. W. (1989). A cognitive processing analysis of motivation within classroom
tasks. In C. Ames &amp; R. Ames (Eds. ),Research on motivation in education (Vol. 3, pp. 223-257). Orlando, FL:
Academic Press.

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Bastuğ, Harun</text>
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                    <text>Attitudes Toward Humanities and Social Sciences and Their Relationship
With English Competence
Hakan Aydoğan &amp; Azamat Akbarov
Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University/Turkey &amp; International Burch University/Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Abstract. Humanities and social sciences are mostly regarded as ''soft sciences''. Females
have greater interest in them compared to males. Because linguistic (in this paper, English
language studies) belongs to both humanities and social sciences, the present study aims to
examine the relationship of students' estimates of English competence and their attitudes
toward humanities and social sciences. The sample consists of 157 participants (88 females
and 69 males).Who are at tertiarry level in Turkey. The obtained results reflect no gender
differences in students' attitudes toward English and Turkish language; however, significant
gender differences were found in their attitudes toward literature, psychology, sociology and
pedagogy. Participants' attitudes toward humanities and socal aciences were in significant
relationships with all aspects of self-reported English competence. In addition, self-reported
grammar skills were the best predictor of attitudes towards the English language.
Keywords: English competence, humanities, social sciences, gender differences.

INTRODUCTION
Humanities and social sciences differ from the group of natural science in terms of their
inputs and outputs. Humanities and social sciences study human phenomena and social
interactions while natural sciences study natural objects/processes (Huang &amp; Chang, 2008).
The first group of disciplines sometimes use statistical procedures borrowed from natural
sciences. In this way; they become more reliable, objective and valid. Jones, Champman and
Woods (1972) stated that natural sciences can be classified as ''hard science'', whereas
humanities and social sciences are in fact ''soft sciences''.
There are some gender differences in interest in social sciences and humanities. A metaanalytic study conducted by Su, Rounds and Armstrong (2009) showed that female students
have more interest in arts and social sciences in relation to male students. On the other hand,
males like engineering, mathematics and science. Females want to help other people and like

�to work with people instead of things (Jones, Howe, &amp; Rua, 2000). Hence, women have more
positive attitudes toward humanities and social sciences compared to men.
Humanities include languages, literature, arts, etc. Social sciences include: psychology,
sociology,

pedagogy,

economics,

anthropology

and

similar

disciplines.

English

languagebelongs to both humanities and social sciences (because some topics covered by
linguistics can be examined quantitatively). Thus, it is important to examine students' attitudes
toward humanities and social sciences and their relationship with English proficiency.
However, there are only few studies and discussions that dealt with this kind of relationship.
Aydoğan and Gupta (2014) carried out a study on the impact of humanities and social
sciences on foreign language learning and self-reported oral intelligence. The results of this
study indicated a high level of appreciation for humanities and social sciences among students
and a high level of self-reported English proficiency as well as oral intelligence.
Akay and Toraman (2015) examined attitudes toward the English language and they found
that, in general, students of humanities and social sciences had very positive attitudes toward
this language. In addition, their study did not reveal statistically significant gender differences
in this kind of attitudes.
Liking literature facilitates the process of learning foreign language (such as English). In other
words, reading stories and novels, analyzing main points of their authors helps students think
in English and expresses their own thoughts in this language. Therefore, literature is related to
a pragmatic aspect of language (Bataineh, 2014). Ariogul (2011)and Lázár (2003) stressed
the importance of intercultural topics and communicative competence related to the
interaction with people who have distinct cultural backgrounds in learning English. Thus,
there should be positive attitude toward sociology and psychology in order to like, understand
and respect different cultures.
As for the aspects of the English language, TOEFL (this acronym stands for ''Test of English
as a foreign language''), for instance, takes into account reading, listening, writing, and
speaking skills. Additionally, there are vocabulary and grammar items that are believed to be
adequately covered within the TOEFL examination. However, traditional pedagogies usually
focus on teaching grammar (Sawir, 2005). Hence, students' perceptions and estimates of their
grammar skills can be crucial to their attitudes toward the English language.

�This study is devoted to the exploration of relationships of students' attitudes toward social
sciences and humanities with their English competence. This is, thus, the aim of our study.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES
Based on the previous research and the aim of the present study, the following research
questions were posed:
1. Do students' attitudes toward humanities and social sciences correlate with their
subjective estimates of English competence?
2. Are there any gender differences in these attitudes?
3. What is the best predictor of positive attitudes toward the English language?
Likewise, the subsequent hypotheses were defined:
1. Students' attitudes toward humanities (literature as well as English and Turkish
language) and social sciences (psychology, sociology, and pedagogy) are in positive
and statistically significant correlations with subjective estimates of different elements
of English competence (reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and
vocabulary).
2. Gender differences in attitudes toward humanities and social sciences are statistically
significant, in favor of female students.
3. The best predictor of attitudes toward the English language is students' estimate of
their grammar competence/skills.

METHOD
Sample
the present study was carried out on a sample of 157 students who attend to a State university
in Turkey. Their mean age was calculated as M = 21.92 (SD = 2.73). Participants' ages ranged
from 18 to 30 years of age. Information on students' gender and year of study is shown in
Figure 1.

�29

30

24

25
20

18
15

15

15

14

Males

12

11

10

6

6

Females
5

5

2

0
1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Figure 1. Participants' gender and year of study
Figure 1 shows that the subsample of females (N = 88, 56.05% of the whole sample)
outnumbers the subsample of males (N = 69, i.e. 43.95%). Most of the participants were at the
second year of study (N = 44, 28.03% of the total number of participants). The least number
of participants was at the sixth year of study (N = 7, i.e. 4.46%).
Instruments
For the purpose of this study, three instruments were administered among students. The first
one ('demographics') included three questions on participants' gender, ageand year of study.
The second and the third one were made in order to answer research questions of the present
study:
Attitudes toward humanities and social science's scale (ATHSS)are comprised of six items
(see Appendix 1 at the end of this article). The first three items are: English language, Turkish
language, and literature. Actually, they represent humanities. The last three items are:
psychology, sociology, and pedagogy. They belong to social sciences. In fact, the ATHSS
measures affective component of attitudes to humanities and social sciences. Students decided
to what extent, they like each of these six academic disciplines. Each item includes a fivepoint Likert scale (1 – 'completely dislike' to 5 – 'like very much'). Internal consistency of this
instrument, expressed as Cronbach's alpha coefficient, is calculated as α = .842. Hence, the
ATHSS is a reliable measure of this kind of attitudes.

�Self-reported English competence scale (SRECS)is a scale consisted of six items as well
(please, look at the Appendix 2). The items are, in fact, the English skills that are regularly
assessed by TOEFL (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), with the addition of grammar
and vocabulary. Participants are expected to provide estimates of their competence related to
these aspects of the English language. As before, there is a five-point Likert scale (1 –
'insufficient', 2 – 'sufficient', 3 – 'good', 4 – 'very good', and 5 – 'excellent'). Cronbach's alpha
coefficient, as a measure of the SRECS' reliability (internal consistency), is α = .835.
Therefore, the SRECS has a very good internal consistency.
Procedure and data processing
The instruments described above were administered to students at tertiary level in Turkey. It
took them 8-10 minutes to fill in their data and to express their attitudes toward the
aforementioned scientific disciplines as well as estimates of English competence. The data
were collected along with the protection of confidentiality and anonymity related to
participants' identity as well as the answers they provided.
Later, data were entered into SPSS 17.0 for Win where the database was created. Three
statistical procedures were used in order to examine data: Pearson's coefficient of correlation
(r), independent-samples t test, and multiple regression analysis (MRA). Before these
procedures, the main descriptive statistical values were calculated.
RESULTS
Participants' maximum and minimum scores along with mean values and standard deviations
were shown in the following two tables.
Table 1
Descriptive statistical values of attitudes towards humanities and social sciences
Humanities and social science

N

Min

Max

M

SD

English language

157

1

5

3.81

0.82

Turkish language

157

2

5

3.99

0.78

Literature

157

1

5

3.85

0.88

Psychology

157

1

5

3.87

0.86

Sociology

157

2

5

3.90

0.88

Pedagogy

157

1

5

3.84

0.90

�The theoretical mean of the five-point Likert scale is 3. As shown in Table 1, mean values of
all variables were above 3 (attitudes toward the English language: M = 3.81 to attitudes
toward the Turkish language: M = 3.99). Participants' scores ranged from 1 to 5 in four
variables; on the other hand, from 2 to 5 in the attitudes toward the Turkish language and
sociology. In general, participants' attitudes (in particular, their affective component) toward
humanities and social sciences are positive.
Table 2
Descriptive statistical values of self-reported English competence
Components of English competence

N

Min

Max

M

SD

Reading

157

1

5

3.85

0.83

Writing

157

2

5

3.84

0.88

Listening

157

2

5

3.91

0.78

Speaking

157

2

5

3.89

0.86

Grammar

157

1

5

3.73

0.89

Vocabulary

157

2

5

3.85

0.72

It is clear (Table 2) that students estimated their English skills/competence as above the
average: M = 3.91 (listening), M = 3.89 (speaking), M = 3.85 (reading and vocabulary), M =
3.84 (writing), and M = 3.73 (grammar). The range of participants' scores with regard to
reading and grammar is 1 to 5 and in all other cases, it is 2 to 5.
Table 3
Correlations of attitudes toward humanities with self-reported English competence
English language

Turkish language

Literature

Reading

.421*

.483*

.314*

Writing

.518*

.446*

.377*

Listening

.365*

.558*

.403*

Speaking

.505*

.390*

.334*

Grammar

.552*

.494*

.564*

Vocabulary

.462*

.487*

.431*

Note. All coefficients of correlation are significant at the level .001

�The figures in Table 3 indicate moderate, positive and statistically significant correlations of
attitudes toward humanities with self-reported English competence/skills. Attitudes toward
the English language had the strongest relationship with subjective estimates of grammar
skills (r(155) = .552, p&lt; .001). Attitudes toward the Turkish language were in the strongest
correlation with students' estimates of their listening skills (r(155) = .558, p &lt; .001). At last,
the correlation coefficient of students' attitudes towards literature and their estimates of
grammar was the highest in the last column of the Table 3 (r(155) = .564, p &lt; .001). Hence,
attitudes toward humanities and self-reported English competence are significantly correlated
to each other.

Table 4
Correlations of attitudes towardssocial scienceswith self-reported English competence
Psychology

Sociology

Pedagogy

Reading

.568***

.368***

.287***

Writing

.439***

.429***

.203*

Listening

.338***

.260**

.347***

Speaking

.405***

.512***

.284***

Grammar

.498***

.450***

.307***

Vocabulary

.403***

.453***

.320***

Note. * p &lt; .05, ** p &lt; .01, *** p &lt; .001
By examining Table 4, favourable, low to moderate and statistically important coefficients of
correlation can be noticed. Attitudes toward psychology were in the strongest correlation with
self-reported reading skills (r(155) = .568, p &lt; .001), whereas attitudes toward sociology
correlated the most with self-reported speaking skills (r(155) = .512, p &lt; .001). Finally,
students' attitudes to pedagogy were in the strongest correlation with their estimates of
listening skills (r(155) = .347, p &lt; .001).
Gender differences in attitudes to both humanities and social sciences were examined by
independent-samples t - test and shown in tables 5 and 6 below.
Looking at the Table 5, the significant gender differences can be noticed only in attitudes
towards literature (t(155) = -2.40, p&lt; .05). Females' mean value was higher (M = 4.00) in
relation to males' mean value (M = 3.67).

�Table 5
Gender differences in attitudes toward humanities
Humanities
English language

Turkish language

Literature

Gender

N

M

SD

Males

69

3.71

0.86

Females

88

3.89

0.78

Males

69

3.87

0.89

Females

88

4.09

0.67

Males

69

3.67

0.85

Females

88

4.00

0.87

t
-1.34

-1.78

-2.40*

Note. * p &lt; .05
However, female students had higher mean values for the English (M = 3.89) and Turkish
language (M = 4.09), compared to male students (M = 3.71 and M = 3.87, respectively).
Notwithstanding, differences between them were not statistically significant.

Table 6
Gender differences in attitudes toward social sciences
Humanities
Psychology

Sociology

Pedagogy

Gender

N

M

SD

Males

69

3.65

0.94

Females

88

4.03

0.75

Males

69

3.61

0.89

Females

88

4.14

0.79

Males

69

3.59

0.83

Females

88

4.03

0.90

t
-2.84*

-3.92**

-3.14*

Note. * p &lt; .01; ** p &lt; .001
It was found that all gender differences in attitudes toward social sciences were statistically
significant, in favor of females (Table 6): M = 4.03 vs. M = 3.65, t(155) = -2.84, p&lt; .01
(psychology), M = 4.14 vs. M = 3.61, t(155) = -3.92, p&lt; .001 (sociology), and M = 4.03 vs. M
= 3.59, t(155) = -3.14, p&lt; .01 (pedagogy).
All components of English competence were entered into multiple regression analysis in order
to examine their predictive validity related to attitudes toward the English language, that were
the criterion variable (Table 7).

�Table 7
Six components of English competence as predictors of attitudes toward the English language
Unstandardized coefficients

Standardized coefficients
Beta (β)

t

B

Std.Error

Constant

.661

.333

Reading

.019

.079

.019

0.24

Writing

.172

.081

.185

2.12*

Listening

.087

.079

.083

1.11

Speaking

.210

.074

.222

2.86**

Grammar

.218

.079

.238

2.75**

Vocabulary

.116

.102

.102

1.14

R = .652 R2 = .425

1.98*

F(6, 150) = 18.48***

Note. * p &lt; .05; ** p &lt; .01; *** p &lt; .001
Referring to Table 7, it can be said that the regression model with six predictors was
statistically significant (F(6, 150) = 18.48, p&lt; .001). The coefficient of multiple correlations is
R = .652 and the coefficient of multiple determinations is R2= .425. Therefore, these
predictors account for 42.5% of criterion's variance.In other words, self-reported reading,
writing, listening, speaking, grammar and vocabulary competence (taken together) explain
42.5% of students' attitudes towards the English language.
Additionally, it appears that there are three statistically significant predictors: grammar (β =
.238, t = 2.75, p&lt; .01), speaking (β = .222, t = 2.86, p &lt; .01), and writing (β = .185, t = 2.12,
p&lt; .05). As expected before, self-reported grammar skills were the best predictor of students'
attitudes toward the English language.
DISCUSSION
The first part of our findings reflect students' positive attitudes towards humanities and social
sciences. This result is in accordance with that of Aydoğan and Gupta (2014). Humanities and
social sciences are not as difficult as natural sciences and this finding can be explained by this
notion.
The second part of our results includes moderate, positive, and statistically significant
correlations between students' attitudes towards humanities/social sciences and their selfreported English competence (reading, writing, speaking, listening, vocabulary and grammar

�skills). Akay and Torman (2015) found more positive attitudes towards English and higher
competence in English among students of humanities and social sciences compared to those
who studied engineering and architecture. Hence, our results overlapped with theirs.
Therefore, the first hypothesis was confirmed.
The present study did not yield statistically significant gender differences in attitudes toward
English and Turkish language. Neither Akay and Toraman (2015) get significant gender
differences in attitudes toward the English language. One of the possible explanations is the
following one: learning English is important for both males and females because the English
language is the lingua franca of the 21st-century society. Their similar results with regard to
the Turkish language were presumably influenced by students' nationality and tight
connection to their country (i.e. Turkey). However, there were statistically significant
differences favoring females in their attitudes toward literature, psychology, pedagogy and
sociology. This part of findings can be explained by empirically-based conclusions provided
by Su, Rounds and Armstrong (2009) as well as Jones, Howe and Rua (2000): females are
more interested in social sciences and working with people rather than in natural sciences and
working with things (objects). Thus, the second hypothesis was partially confirmed.
In the end, students' estimates of six elements of their English competence significantly
contribute to the explanation of their attitudes toward the English language. The best predictor
was the estimate of their grammar skills. Because this aspect (component) of English
language is in the limelight of traditional pedagogies (Sawir, 2005), this finding is not
surprising. Hence, the third hypothesis was confirmed.
The implications rose from this research are the following:
1. Students should use their knowledge of humanities and social sciences while reading
stories, passages, movies and other learning materials in English classes that are
related to introducing various cultures, customs and nations.
2. It seems that gender stereotypes still influence gender differences in attitudes towards
humanities and social science (with the exception for English and Turkish language).
3. Difficulties with regard to English grammar apprehension affect students' general
attitudes toward the English language.
Some strengths of this research are linked to the examination of a topic that was rarely
investigated before. The prime limitation of this study is the nature of self-reported

�measuresof English competence. Objective tests of English knowledge and skills (for each of
its components separately) should be used thereafter. This is, at the same time, the most
important recommendation for future research on this topic.
CONCLUSION
If these results can be appropriately generalized, Turkish students like humanities (literature,
as well as English and Turkish language) and social sciences (psychology, pedagogy, and
sociology). Participants who have very positive attitudes towards these scientific disciplines
estimate their English competence (reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar and
vocabulary) as pretty high, and vice versa. There were some gender differences, as well.
Female students have more positive attitudes to literature, sociology, psychology and
pedagogy in relation to male students.
Finally, there were three significant predictors for participants' attitudes toward the English
language: self-reported writing, speaking, and grammar skills. Their estimates of grammar
skills were the best predictor. Further studies will shed light on other impacts on students'
attitudes toward the English language (e.g. academic self-efficacy, previous knowledge,
students' previous experience with native English speakers, etc.).
REFERENCES
Akay, E.&amp; Toraman, Ç. (2015). Students’ attitudes towards learning English grammar: A
study of scale development: Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 11(2), 67-82.
Ariogul, S. (2011). The teaching of reading through short stories in advanced classes.
Unpublished M.A. thesis, Ankara: Hacettepe University.
Aydoğan, H. &amp; Gupta, S. (2014). Impact of humanities and social sciences on foreign
language learning and verbal intelligence: A model study on Bosnian and Turkish students.
The Journal of Teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes, 2, 661-670.
Bataineh, A. (2014). The effect of teaching literature on EFL students' pragmatic competence.
Journal of Education and Practice, 5, 137-156.
Huang, M. &amp; Chang, Y. (2008). Characteristics of research output in social sciences and
humanities: From a research evaluation perspective. Journal of the American Society for
Information Science and Technology, 59, 1819-1828.

�Jones, C., Champman, M., &amp; Woods, P. C. (1972). The characteristics of the literature used
by historians. Journal of Librarianship, 4(3), 137–156.
Jones, M. G., Howe, A., &amp; Rua, M. J. (2000). Gender differences in students' experiences,
interests and attitudes toward science and scientists. Sci Ed, 84, 180-192.
Lázár, I. (2003). Incorporating intercultural communicative competence in language teacher
education. Strasbourg: European Centre of Modern Languages – Council of Europe
Publishing.
Sawir, E. (2005). Language difficulties of international students in Australia: The effects of
prior learning experience. International Education Journal, 6, 567-580.
Su, R., Rounds, J., &amp; Armstrong, P. I. (2009). Men and things, women and people: A metaanalysis of sex differences in interests. Psychological Bulletin, 135, 859-884.

APPENDIX 1
Attitudes toward humanities and social sciences scale (ATHSS)
Instructions for participants:
Please indicate to which extent you like the following academic disciplines/subjects (1 –
completely dislike, 2 – dislike, 3 – neither like nor dislike, 4 – like, 5 – like very much):
English language

1

2

3

4

5

Turkish language 1

2

3

4

5

Literature

1

2

3

4

5

Psychology

1

2

3

4

5

Sociology

1

2

3

4

5

Pedagogy

1

2

3

4

5

�APPENDIX 2
Self-reported English competence scale (SRECS)
Instructions for participants:
Please indicate the level of your competence, knowledge and skills in the following categories
related to the English language (1 – insufficient, 2 – sufficient, 3 – good, 4 – very good, 5 –
excellent):
Reading

1

2

3

4

5

Writing

1

2

3

4

5

Listening

1

2

3

4

5

Speaking

1

2

3

4

5

Grammar

1

2

3

4

5

Vocabulary

1

2

3

4

5

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                <text>Humanities and social sciences are mostly regarded as ''soft sciences''. Females have greater interest in them compared to males. Because linguistic (in this paper, English language studies) belongs to both humanities and social sciences, the present study aims to examine the relationship of students' estimates of English competence and their attitudes toward humanities and social sciences. The sample consists of 157 participants (88 females and 69 males).Who are at tertiarry level in Turkey. The obtained results reflect no gender differences in students' attitudes toward English and Turkish language; however, significant gender differences were found in their attitudes toward literature, psychology, sociology and pedagogy. Participants' attitudes toward humanities and socal aciences were in significant relationships with all aspects of self-reported English competence. In addition, self-reported grammar skills were the best predictor of attitudes towards the English language.  Keywords: English competence, humanities, social sciences, gender differences.</text>
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                    <text>Attitudes Towards Pronunciation of Seeu Students
Jasmina Mirtoska &amp; Emrije Agai-Loci
SEEU / Tetovo, Macedonia
Key words:tenses, adverbs, transfer, spontaneous speech
ABSTRACT
Since proper pronunciation and the awareness thereof is one of the main purposes of the first semester
undergraduate course Phonetics and Phonology at the South European University, Macedonia; this study focuses on
the attitudes of students towards student and teacher pronunciation at the same university. The study examines the
importance of the students’ own language competence in pronunciation in comparison with that of their teachers’.
For this paper, 53 first year undergraduate students have filled out a 5-scalle questionnaire expressing their beliefs
about student and teacher pronunciation in comparison to other competences like grammatical knowledge and
teaching skills. Additionally 20 of them have been involved in recorded individual interviews. The oral interview
provided insight into their opinions about their own and the teachers’ pronunciation as well as the progress made in
the pronunciation course they have completed Phonetics and Phonology in their first semester. This course has the
aim to raise their awareness of proper pronunciation by introducing, practicing and testing them on segmental and
suprasegmental features like: transcription, stress patterns, intonation among others. The analysis of the quantitative
and qualitative data showed constancy in the answers and attitudes of the students towards their own and their
teachers’ pronunciation. The data showed that the students had high expectations of their teachers in term of
pronunciation. This study also tests whether the high regard for proper student and teacher pronunciation correlates
with their Phonetics and Phonology final course grade.

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LOCI, Emrije Agai</text>
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                <text>Key words:tenses, adverbs, transfer, spontaneous speech  ABSTRACT  Since proper pronunciation and the awareness thereof is one of the main purposes of the first semester undergraduate course Phonetics and Phonology at the South European University, Macedonia; this study focuses on the attitudes of students towards student and teacher pronunciation at the same university. The study examines the importance of the students’ own language competence in pronunciation in comparison with that of their teachers’. For this paper, 53 first year undergraduate students have filled out a 5-scalle questionnaire expressing their beliefs about student and teacher pronunciation in comparison to other competences like grammatical knowledge and teaching skills. Additionally 20 of them have been involved in recorded individual interviews. The oral interview provided insight into their opinions about their own and the teachers’ pronunciation as well as the progress made in the pronunciation course they have completed Phonetics and Phonology in their first semester. This course has the aim to raise their awareness of proper pronunciation by introducing, practicing and testing them on segmental and suprasegmental features like: transcription, stress patterns, intonation among others. The analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data showed constancy in the answers and attitudes of the students towards their own and their teachers’ pronunciation. The data showed that the students had high expectations of their teachers in term of pronunciation. This study also tests whether the high regard for proper student and teacher pronunciation correlates with their Phonetics and Phonology final course grade.</text>
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                    <text>International Conference on Economic and Social Studies, 10-11 May, 2013, Sarajevo

Audit Qualifications in Turkish Listed Firms
Turgay Sakin
İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey
tsakin@İstanbul.edu.tr
The purpose of this study is to provide some evidence on the effects of
some auditor-related, firm specific and legal factors on issuance of
modified audit opinions. The study covers Turkish firms listed in İstanbul
Stock Exchange. The audit opinions given during the periods between 2003
and 2011 were analyzed. The period selected can be defined as a transition
period for accounting and auditing in Turkey.
In the literature there are some studies on the factors affecting audit
opinions. Those factors comprised both financial and non-financial data.
However, besides those factors, especially in developing countries changes
in accounting and auditing regulations may be a significant factor on audit
opinions.
Changes in regulations related to accounting and auditing by Turkish
regulatory bodies is believed to increase the quality of accounting
information and auditing. However, every change in regulation creates
some problems in application. This transition period serves an opportunity
for the researchers to analyze possible effects of the transition on audit
reports. In this study relationships between these changes and audit
opinions are searched.
In Turkey statutory audit is required only a small number of companies.
Most of these companies are required to Turkish Capital Market Law
(TCML). However, only the financial statements and audit opinions of the
firms that are listed on the ISE are available to the public, and thus the
researchers. Because of this constraint the studies are generally limited to
the ISE firms. The data were collected from the audited financial
statements and their accompanying notes including the audit reports.
Those statements were uploaded from the website of the İstanbul Stock
Exchange.
In the study some debt, profitability, liquidity ratios and firms size used as
firms specific characteristics. Audit firm size and changes in accounting and
auditing standards are also used in the analysis.
The process of audit opinion formation is a complex procedure. There are
many factors, many of those limited in the working papers of auditors,
267

�International Conference on Economic and Social Studies, 10-11 May, 2013, Sarajevo

affecting audit formation. Thus understanding some significant public
available factors affecting modified audit opinions would be a significant
mean for crediting auditors’ opinions. It is aimed to form a model based on
some firm and auditor specific characteristics to explain modified audit
opinions given in Turkish capital market. The model would serve audit
report readers in realizing the potential factors influential on the opinions
given, and estimating the a priori audit opinion.
Keywords: Audit Report, Audit Opinion, Qualification, Turkey, Regulation,
Audit Firm Size.

268

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                <text>The purpose of this study is to provide some evidence on the effects of  some auditor-related, firm specific and legal factors on issuance of  modified audit opinions. The study covers Turkish firms listed in İstanbul  Stock Exchange. The audit opinions given during the periods between 2003  and 2011 were analyzed. The period selected can be defined as a transition  period for accounting and auditing in Turkey.  In the literature there are some studies on the factors affecting audit  opinions. Those factors comprised both financial and non-financial data.  However, besides those factors, especially in developing countries changes  in accounting and auditing regulations may be a significant factor on audit  opinions.  Changes in regulations related to accounting and auditing by Turkish  regulatory bodies is believed to increase the quality of accounting  information and auditing. However, every change in regulation creates  some problems in application. This transition period serves an opportunity  for the researchers to analyze possible effects of the transition on audit  reports. In this study relationships between these changes and audit  opinions are searched.  In Turkey statutory audit is required only a small number of companies.  Most of these companies are required to Turkish Capital Market Law  (TCML). However, only the financial statements and audit opinions of the  firms that are listed on the ISE are available to the public, and thus the  researchers. Because of this constraint the studies are generally limited to  the ISE firms. The data were collected from the audited financial  statements and their accompanying notes including the audit reports.  Those statements were uploaded from the website of the İstanbul Stock  Exchange.  In the study some debt, profitability, liquidity ratios and firms size used as  firms specific characteristics. Audit firm size and changes in accounting and  auditing standards are also used in the analysis.  The process of audit opinion formation is a complex procedure. There are  many factors, many of those limited in the working papers of auditors,affecting audit formation. Thus understanding some significant public  available factors affecting modified audit opinions would be a significant  mean for crediting auditors’ opinions. It is aimed to form a model based on  some firm and auditor specific characteristics to explain modified audit  opinions given in Turkish capital market. The model would serve audit  report readers in realizing the potential factors influential on the opinions  given, and estimating the a priori audit opinion.  Keywords: Audit Report, Audit Opinion, Qualification, Turkey, Regulation,  Audit Firm Size.</text>
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          <element elementId="45">
            <name>Publisher</name>
            <description>An entity responsible for making the resource available</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="13888">
                <text>International Burch University</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="40">
            <name>Date</name>
            <description>A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="13889">
                <text>2013-05-10</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="97">
            <name>Keywords</name>
            <description>Keywords.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="13890">
                <text>Article
PeerReviewed</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="43">
            <name>Identifier</name>
            <description>An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="13891">
                <text>ISSN 2303-4564     </text>
              </elementText>
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