Pizhuhish nāmah-i intiqādī-i mutūn va barnāmah hā-yi ̒ulūm-i insāni (Critical Studies in Texts & Programs of Human Sciences)

A Critique of "The Psychology of the Language Learner: Individual Differences in Second Language Acquisition"

Document Type : Research

Authors

Reza Pishghadam 1
Atena Attaran 2

1 Professor of Language Education, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

2 PhD Student of English Language Teaching, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Abstract
One of the major sources of psychology in the field of teaching English as foreign language in Iranian universities is a book named The Psychology of the Language Learner: Individual Differences in Second Language Acquisition written by Zoltan Dornyei. The book was first published in 2005 and was later revised in 2015 and published by Routledge. This study thus aims to analyze this book critically due to the importance of psychological issues in teaching English as foreign language. The findings suggested that although Dornyei established a coherent framework for his book, he ignored the socio-cultural effects of society on learners’ psychological aspects. Additionally, they were some concepts, including emotional intelligence, which were left untouched in his book. Finally, the philosophical aspects of concepts being discussed within the book were not addressed or even challenged. Generally speaking, the books limited itself to western studies ignored, the social and cultural elements, and avoided challenging the concepts which can limit readers’ understanding. 

Keywords

Psychology
Dornyei
English Language Teaching
Critique

Subjects

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Pizhuhish nāmah-i intiqādī-i mutūn va barnāmah hā-yi ̒ulūm-i insāni (Critical Studies in Texts & Programs of Human Sciences)
Volume 16, Issue 41
Winter 2017
Pages 83-97

  • Receive Date 13 May 2016
  • Revise Date 12 January 2017
  • Accept Date 28 June 2016

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