Pixel International Conferences

While communication and language can be the motivation (Dörnyei, 2005) [1] for some students to start learning a second language, that is not the case for many others, who learn the language motivated by the culture (Kramsch, 2012) [2] which attracted them. These learners show a deep intrigue with the culture of a country, which serves as their main motivation for foreign language learning. By examining the implications of media exposure, particularly in relation to Korean culture, we aim to bring into focus the factors that drive individuals to initiate their Korean language learning journey. This case study will analyse the motivation of two students of Korean language by using an interview as the instrument of research, validated through the Delphi method. Results suggest that these learners are predominantly motivated to learn the Korean language by an initial fascination with Korean culture, the aesthetic, costumes, and traditions, rather than solely by the language itself, which came after the fascination by Korean culture. This fact allows researchers to categorize these subjects as culturally motivated students, a new term in the literature. Through an in-depth exploration of this phenomenon, we uncover the intricate interplay between media, cultural motivation, and language learning, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of intercultural education (Byram, 2013) [3] dynamics. Conclusions lead researchers to continue exploring this phenomenon among other cultures and age participants, to confirm that the direction of this journey is not unidirectional (i.e., from the language to the culture), but bidirectional (i.e., also from the culture to the language).

Keywords: intercultural education, language learning, motivation, culture, media 

References

[1] Dörnyei, Z. (2005). The psychology of the language learner: Individual differences in second language acquisition. Routledge. Kidwell, T., & Triyoko, H. (2021). Language awareness as a resource for multilingual individuals’ learning about culture: a case study in the Javanese context. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2021.1922421">https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2021.1922421

[2] Kramsch, C. (2012). Culture in foreign language teaching. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research, 1(1), 57-78. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1127430">https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1127430

[3] Byram, M. (2013). Foreign language teaching and intercultural citizenship. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research, 1(3), 53-62. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1127400