Motivation has been viewed as a very influential factor to successful reading for English as foreign language learners. Learners can be motivated to read English by extrinsic or intrinsic motivation, and the motivational orientations could also influence their reading achievement. However, language problems that EFL learners encounter while reading can affect their willingness to read as well as their reading achievement. The purpose of this study was to investigate Taiwanese EFL students’ English reading motivation and its relationship with perceived language problems and reading achievement. 302 11th grade students from an urban district in southern Taiwan participated in the study. Measures included an English reading comprehension test, an English reading motivation questionnaire, and a questionnaire regarding language problems in reading English. A factor analysis was used to determine the motivational orientations. Multiple regression and correlation analysis were performed to examine the relationship among reading motivation, language problems, and reading achievement. The results showed that: 1) Taiwanese senior high school students were largely motivated to read English by extrinsic motivation, specifically the importance and instrumental utility of reading English and the drive for recognition and competition, although they could also be motivated by intrinsic motivation to read English for knowledge and social purposes. Moreover, extrinsic motivation to read for compliance was significantly associated with their English reading scores. 2) While reading English, unknown idiomatic expressions and vocabulary were frequently reported language problems that influenced students’ willingness to read. Nevertheless, lack of grammar knowledge was generally not considered a big language problem to most of the students while reading. 3) Language problems in reading English and reading motivation were correlated, and motivation to read for compliance, grammar knowledge, and overall reading comprehension were significant predictors of students’ English reading scores. This study highlights the influential role of extrinsic motivation to EFL students in English reading and the importance of knowledge of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions in order to help understand the meaning of English texts. It provides implications for English teachers in designing appropriate curriculum that suits students’ needs and interests, and also suggestions for choosing proper reading materials.

Thesis (MTech(Education))--Cape Technikon, 1998 / This study presents a model for the evaluation of educational innovation in a context of transformation. The model incorporates formative, summative and illuminative evaluation goals and emphasises the need to locate the innovation which is being evaluated within the context and policy framework of its operation. The evaluation framework provided by the model takes into account the full range of variables impacting on innovative educational practice and subjects the innovation, along with its transforming educational context, to the scrutiny of evaluation. The ten-stage generalised evaluation model is presented as a framework for the evaluation of any type of educational innovation. In this study the model is applied to the evaluation of an innovative intervention, LEAP (Learning in English for Academic Purposes), at a tertiary institution in South Africa. The LEAP course aims to develop English academic literacy skills in students, foster student-centred learning and teaching and promote the transfer of academic literacy skills across the curriculum. The background to, theoretical underpinnings and development of the course are expanded on in the study. In line with the model, the LEAP intervention is located within the context and policy framework of its academic context. The principal stakeholders in the LEAP intervention are identified. They are used as sources to identify the aspects of LEAP to be evaluated, as well as to identify the criteria for evaluation. An eclectic approach is adopted in the evaluation of the LEAP course. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods are employed, using a variety of instruments. A range of sources is consulted to cross-validate the analysis of the data, and recommendations are made on the basis of conclusions drawn from the interpretation of the data. The final section of the study reflects on the whole evaluation process and areas for further research are also discussed.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis is a qualitative examination of TESOL material, specifically New Headway Advanced [NHA] -3rd Edition (Soars & Soars: 2002), and the degree to which Cultural Awareness [CA] is present in the material. CA is herein defined as the use of empathy to explicitly examine the contextual variations which give rise to different languages and cultures with the aim of avoiding stereotypes and promoting a mediated third linguistic and cultural place which incorporates the variations of context inherent in a student’s L1 and WEs. The thesis provides an overview of TESOL methodology together with issues arising from postmethod views of TESOL. Qualifications for ESOL teachers, namely the CELTA and Cert.TESOL, are also examined with specific attention to their inclusion of references to CA. The examination of NHA is carried out with the use of Hofstede & Bond’s (1980) Dimensions of Cultural Variability to provide a dimensional profile of NHA. Finally there is a discussion of the extent to which CA is present in NHA and recommendations for the future development of ESOL and TESOL material. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is om ‘n waardebepaling van TESOL materiaal te doen, veral New Headway Advanced (NHA) – 3e weergawe (Soars & Soars:2002), en die mate waarin Kulturele Bewustheid (KB) in die materiaal teenwoordig is. KB word in hierdie konteks gedefinieer as die gebruik van empatie vir die deeglike ondersoek van kontekstuele variasies wat lei tot verskillende tale en kulture ten einde stereotipering te vermy en ‘n bemiddelde derde taalkundige en kulturele plek te bevorder wat die kontekstuele variasies inherent in ‘n student se L1 en WE insluit. Die tesis voorsien ‘n oorsig van die TESOL metodologie saam met kwessies voortspruitend uit sieninge na die aanbieding daarvan. Kwalifikasies van onderwysers, naamlik CELTA en die TESOL sertifikaat, word ook ondersoek met spesifieke verwysing na KB. Die ondersoek van NHA word gedoen met behulp van Hofstede & Bond se (1980) Dimensions of Cultural Variability om ‘n dimensionele profiel van NHA te verskaf. Laastens is daar ‘n bespreking van die mate waarin KB teenwoordig is in NHA en aanbevelings vir die toekomstige ontwikkeling van ESOL en TESOL materiaal.