Journal Article

An investigation into the relationship of foreign language learning motivation and sign language use among Deaf and hard of hearing Hungarians

Kontra, Edit H, Csizér, Kata

2013

Overview

The aim of this study is to point out the relationship between foreign language learning motivation and sign language use among hearing impaired Hungarians. In the article the authors concentrate on two main issues: first, to what extent hearing impaired people are motivated to learn foreign languages in a European context; second, to what extent sign language use in the classroom as well as outside school shapes their level of motivation. The participants in this research were 331 Deaf and hard of hearing people from all over Hungary. The instrument of data collection was a standardized questionnaire. Our results support the notion that sign language use helps foreign language learning. Based on the findings, it can concluded that there is indeed no justification for further neglecting the needs of Deaf and hard of hearing people as foreign language learners and that their claim for equal opportunities in language learning is substantiated. (Verlag, adapt.).

• Publisher: Walter de Gruyter,De Gruyter,Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subject: Age Differences / Applied linguistics / Attitude Measures / Classroom Communication / Cognitive Development / Deafness / Empirische Forschung / Foreign Countries / Foreign language learning / Gebärdensprache / Gender Differences / Hearing disorders / Hearing Impairments / Hungary / Hörbehinderter Mensch / Lane, Harlan / Language Attitudes / Language Minorities / Language of Instruction / Language teaching / Language Usage / Language use / Lifelong Learning / Linguistics / Motivation / Oral Communication Method / Questionnaires / Reading comprehension / Reading Skills / Second Language Instruction / Second Language Learning / Sign Language / Social Influences / Student Motivation / Students / Ungarn