Within- and out-of-school FL exposure and learning: An expectancy-value theory perspective on FL listening motivation

Listening is a largely neglected area in L2/FL research and teaching even though it is one of the two only channels to receive linguistic input for language learning. Drawing on expectancy-value theory, a theory of motivation, the study set out to examine, quantitatively, FL listening motivation in relation to within- and out-of-school FL exposure and learning. Qualitative data were also collated to explain the quantitative findings. Analysing the e-survey data from 275 Grade-10-to-12 English-as-a-foreign-language learners in Hong Kong, we found that medium of instruction, spoken English exposure at school, and informal English exposure outside school were associated positively with expectancy. Out-of-school informal exposure was not only the strongest predictor of expectancy, but also the only variable positively related to interest (intrinsic value). Almost all the participants agreed with the importance of performing well on FL listening (attainment value). Open-ended responses elaborated on some of these relationships.