Goal Congruence in Second Language Classrooms

• In Event: Contemporary Issues in Second Language Research

Abstract

Goals have been increasingly researched in the second language (SL) field. However, few research has taken teachers’ goals into consideration, nor explore the possible impacts of student-teacher goal congruence. In the present study, we measured the congruence levels of 48 college students with their teachers’ goals, and investigated to which extent the congruence levels are related to students’ performance and motivation. The results show that students in the high-congruent group achieved higher scores, demonstrated more on-task and less off-task behavior, felt more satisfied about and motivated toward the course than students in the low- congruent group. The mechanism of goal congruence to SL are discussed, and an open goal-sharing classroom culture is called for.

Authors

• Zhongqi Shi, Columbia University

• Xiaodong Lin, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Janet Naju Ahn, Teachers College, Columbia University