Motivation to study English as a global language: Perceptions of Taiwanese university health majors.

摘要

The purposes of this study were to identify and compare perceptions of Taiwanese university students regarding the importance of English as a Second Language (ESL). Nursing majors and Health Care Administration majors at Chung Hwa College of Medical Technology in Tainan, Taiwan, were the population. The study gathered perceptions and analyzed differences in perceptions among majors, gender, and age. The study focused on perceptions of the effect of ESL teaching and learning practices on motivation to learn English.; Of the 330 respondents who were from Health Care programs, the majority were female, with about an equal split between the sophomore and junior levels. Two-way ANOVA analyses were used to find significant main effects and significant differences and interactions.; This study concluded that health care profession majors in Taiwan saw English emerging as the primary global language. Significant differences were found between sophomore and junior health care administrator perceptions of how much their peers use English, with nurses having higher perceptions. Health care administration students had higher expectations that English is the current primary language. Students believed that there was some danger that global change could influence the capability of traditional cultures to remain separate in a global mix.; The study showed moderate student support of ESL teaching methods for motivating them to study English. The writer concluded that ESL teachers need to use new teaching methods to increase student motivation. ESL faculty need continuously to engage students in understanding the factors that affect further development of a global society and that may motivate students to want to be part of a global society in which English is a primary language. In the competitive economic, social, technological, and educational environments of the world, ESL teachers need broad and deep understand of social change, particularly about the advantages and disadvantages of advancing Western language and culture.