Document Details
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Document Type |
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Thesis |
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Document Title |
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HOW ONLINE FORUMS ASSISTED ME IN DEVELOPING MY EFL FOR RADIO CONTROLLED SURFACE VEHICLE HOBBY- PURPOSES: AN AUTOETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY تأثير منتديات الانترنت على لغتي الانجليزية لأغراض خاصة: دراسة اثنوغرافية ذاتية |
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Subject |
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English Language Institute |
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Document Language |
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Arabic |
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Abstract |
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This is a qualitative thesis which studies the motivational impact of hobbies on the development of foreign language learning autonomy. It follows an autoethnographic method/ approach in analyzing the experiences that enabled the autoethnographer (author) to master different aspects of EFL/ESP outside the settings of conventional classrooms. The autoethnographer proved via personal recounts and three theoretical frameworks, including Bruner’s Constructivist theory, Wenger’s Community of Practice and Benson’s out-of-class learning settings and modes of practice that the radio controlled car- hobby (RCCH) aided in constructing English for general and specific (technical) purposes. The study proved that motivation is an effective tool in triggering foreign language learning process by following autonomous means. The author, who constitutes the case study, explored his experiences with English in his own country (Saudi Arabia), and how he managed throughout the years to gradually master it independently by making use of the entertainment factor. The author’s sought after- interest (RCCH) saw him, in later years, resorting to the internet to gain deeper understanding of the hobby, and was naturally encouraged to join an online community (online forums) to share hobby experiences with his overseas- partners which further added to his EGP/ESP skills. The thesis (considering autoethnography as the method of data inquiry) relied on memory recalling, and was further fortified by triangulating the sources from which data were acquired. The use of documents, picture files, artifacts (RCC models), and most importantly, samples from online forum- posts, served as complementing tools to solidify the author’s recounts and interpretations. The thesis stands as an example of how the pursuit of interests (motivation) assists in the development of language learning autonomy and the ways to achieve it. It also emphasizes English language institutes to consider harnessing learners’ interests to trigger their foreign language learning potentials.
Keywords: EFL, ESP, EGP, motivation, learning autonomy, constructivism, community of practice, online community of practice, online forums, hobby, autoethnography |
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Supervisor |
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Dr. Tariq Faisal Elias |
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Thesis Type |
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Master Thesis |
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Publishing Year |
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1438 AH
2017 AD |
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Added Date |
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Sunday, May 28, 2017 |
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Researchers
| علوي عبدالله الجفري | AlJafri, Alawi Abdullah | Researcher | Master | |
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