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Same Environment, Different Affordances: Ecological Analysis Of Four Different Learners In A University Context, Miso Kim, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

This study investigates the subjective realization of objective environmental factors and learners’ agency in constructing their meaning potential. According to van Lier’s (2000, 2002, 2004) ecological perspective, the environment is yet an unrealized set of potential, and affordance is what was felt meaningful to the learner. Also, learners actively construct their terms and conditions of learning with their agency (Lantolf & Pavlenko, 2001). Based on van Lier’s ecological framework, two pairs of students enrolled in two same English classes were recruited. Life history, semi-structured interview, and task recall data revealed that for some students, affordance of the English classroom was …

Korean Efl Students' Amotivation To Learn English: An Activity Theory Analysis, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

By using Dörnyei’s (2009) L2 motivational self-system, this qualitative study investigates 39 Korean EFL students’ amotivation of English learning, or the lack of motivation. Theoretically, the study was guided by Leont’ev’s (1978) activity theory, which emphasizes the unique mediation between the individual (as an active agent representing ontogenetic human development) and the social domain. I argue that an AT perspective can coherently explain students’ amotivation by paying attention to the students’ socioeducational contexts. Particularly, hakbul, or degreeocracy widespread among students and parents in Korea, is attributed to be the major reason for student amotivated but sustained English learning.

The research …

Sociocultural Analysis Of Second Language Learner Beliefs: A Qualitative Case Study Of Two Study-Abroad Esl Learners, Jin-Suk Yang, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

Framed in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory (SCT) of mind, this paper explores second language (L2) learning beliefs in study-abroad (SA) contexts. Previous research on learner beliefs has relied mostly on survey methods, while regarding belief as a static, internal representation of experience that is resistant to change. Due to the concern regarding the prevalence of a cognitive orientation, this qualitative research examines two L2 learners’ belief changes and their impact on motivated L2 behaviors from an SCT perspective. The data were collected mainly through pre- and post-SA interviews and monthly-collected journals with other triangulating methods such as L2 learning autobiographies and …

Collaborative Dialogues And L2 Learning: Korean Junior High School Students' Pair-Work In English Composition, Hyo-Sun Seo, Tae-Young Kim Dr.

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

This classroom-based study investigates the relationship between collaborative dialogues and L2 development working in pairs on a collaborative writing task. Specifically, this study focuses on how the students’ pair talk exerted a positive influence on their L2 development. Over a six-week period, three pairs with differing levels of L2 proficiency engaged in a two-stage task: pair writing and individual writing. After the task completion, the six participants were interviewed individually. In order to identify the patterns of prominent pair interaction, the participants’ pair talks were transcribed and analyzed qualitatively in language-related episodes (LREs). The findings suggested that the patterns of …

The Sociocultural Interface Between Ideal Self And Ought-To Self: A Case Study Of Two Korean Students' Esl Motivation, Tae-Young Kim Dr.

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

No abstract provided.