Researching Task Difficulty from an Individual Differences Perspective: The Case of Goal Orientation

Autor/in	Maad, Mohamed Ridha Ben
Titel	Researching Task Difficulty from an Individual Differences Perspective: The Case of Goal Orientation
Quelle	In: Australian Review of Applied Linguistics, 35 (2012) 1, S.28-47 (20 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0155-0640
Schlagwörter	Second Language Learning; Goal Orientation; Individual Differences; Learning Experience; Task Analysis; Difficulty Level; Profiles; Student Attitudes; Learning Motivation; Questionnaires; College Students; Foreign Countries; Second Language Instruction; English (Second Language); Tunisia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Zweitsprachenerwerb; Zielorientierung; Zielvorstellung; Individueller Unterschied; Lernerfahrung; Aufgabenanalyse; Schwierigkeitsgrad; Charakterisierung; Profilanalyse; Schülerverhalten; Motivation for studies; Lernmotivation; Fragebogen; Collegestudent; Ausland; Fremdsprachenunterricht; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Tunesien
Abstract	This paper reports on a study which highlighted goal orientation as an approachable individual difference (ID) variable which may further our understanding of foreign/second language learning experience. The study sought to (i) gauge the extent of goal orientation in foreign language learners' profile and (ii) examine how goal orientation affects their perception of task difficulty and motivation. Analysis of the findings revealed two distinct goal orientation levels which reflected two significantly different response types to task difficulty. Where one goal group responded positively to unfamiliar and cognitively demanding tasks, the other goal group did not. In light of these results, this paper calls for the necessity to revisit the reductionist research format that confines task variation to design and sequencing factors. (Contains 6 tables and 1 figure.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Applied Linguistics Association of Australia. e-mail: info@alaa.org.au; Web site: http://www.alaa.org.au/page/aral_journal.html
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10