Measuring Engagement in EFL Context: Language Learner Engagement Scale

Student engagement is considered to be an important constract in examining dynamics of foreign language classroom. The studies on language teaching have mostly focused on behavioral dimension of engagement. Based on a more comprehensive understanding of student engagement and language teaching theory and practises, a scale was developed to measure language learner engagement in foreign language classroom. 198 English preparatory class students participated in the study in Turkey. The steps followed in the study were generating items, content adequacy assessment, administrating questionnaire, item discrimination analysis, factor analysis and internal consistency assessment. The language learner engagement scale was developed as a 5-point likert type scale and it included 18 items in 3 factors: cognitive, affective and social engagement. EFA showed that the total variance explained was 49.24 %. Also, internal consistency assessment revealed that the Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient is =.86 and (cognitive engagement=.76, affective engagement=.83, social engagement=.73). This study showed that the Language Learner Engagement Scale is a valid and reliable measure that can be used to investigate language learner engagement. The factors of the Language Learner Engagement Scale (cognitive engagement, affective engagement and social engagement) were labelled based on the concept of “engagement with language” suggested by Svalberg (2009: 247).

Keywords

Foreign Language Teaching, Engagement In EFL Classroom, Affective Engagement, Social Engagement, Cognitive Engagement