Integrating Content and Language to increase motivation and foster self-direction in language learning

Abstract

The Colombian Ministry of Education demands effective results in improving language levels to strengthen students’ communication skills in its “Programa de Fortalecimiento en Lengua Extranjera”, however teacher-researchers have confronted many problems during the process of facilitating the learning of English as a foreign language, particularly situations regarding the learners’ motivation towards the language, one of the most influential factors in any language learning process. For this reason, the study “Integrating Content and Language to increase motivation and foster self-direction in language learning” aims at improving student motivation in the foreign language learning by integrating content and language. This research project is also an attempt to foster self-directed language learning by implementing some strategies such as setting learning goals and collaborative work.