ERIC Number: EJ1437156
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Sep
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0026-7902
EISSN: EISSN-1540-4781
Available Date: N/A
English Learners' Beliefs about L2 Speaking Fluency: Insights from Elicited Metaphor Analysis
Modern Language Journal, v108 n3 p719-740 2024
Second language (L2) learners hold different learning beliefs that influence their interpretation of classroom experiences and their L2 learning process. Developing a thorough understanding of such beliefs is therefore imperative. This article reports the representations of Iranian English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) learners' beliefs about L2 speaking fluency as revealed by elicited metaphors and follow-up interviews. A group of 24 Iranian EFL learners majoring in teaching English as a foreign language were asked to conceptualize L2 speaking fluency through metaphor. Learners' metaphorical representations were examined using metaphor analysis and organized into eight metaphor themes through thematic analysis. The findings suggest that metaphor is a suitable tool for gaining insight into learners' beliefs about L2 speaking fluency and capturing its complex, multifaceted nature. Various aspects were conceptualized, which revealed that learners had a deep understanding of L2 speaking fluency and could represent its multifaceted nature in the learning process. Additionally, this research sheds light on contextual factors that might contribute to learners' beliefs. The findings fill a gap in research concerning EFL learners' beliefs about L2 speaking fluency and have useful implications for L2 teachers, learners, and researchers.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, English (Second Language), Student Attitudes, Language Attitudes, College Students, Majors (Students), Foreign Countries, Language Fluency, Speech Communication, Figurative Language
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Iran
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A