Student Reactions to Content-Based Instruction in EFL Reading Classes : A Survey on Motivational Strategies

Abstract

This is an action research project concerning teaching methodology and learner motivation in English as a foreign language (EFL) reading classes at two Japanese universities. The classes featured content-based instruction (CBI) in a collaborative classroom setting to foster a comfortable learning community. Students were administered a questionnaire in an effort to discover their notions about CBI, English learning motivation, and improvement of English proficiency. The questionnaire was given three times during the academic year, with responses from166 students at the beginning, 163 students in the middle, and 142 students at the end. The survey also included questions about Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) classes to help students clarify and compare with the CBI classes. This paper demonstrates and explains how content-based instruction promotes students＇language learning and motivates them to learn by analyzing their responses.