Tematik bir edebiyat ünitesinin öğrencilerin İngilizce öğrenme motivasyonu üzerindeki etkisinin nitel analizi

The idea of using works of literature in the teaching of English has been discussed among language teachers and researchers for a long time due to its benefits in terms of language, culture and its positive impact on the individual's personal development (Carter & Long, 1991). This thesis aims at demonstrating the benefits that literature has to offer with regards to learners' motivation to learn English through a thematic literature unit specially designed for the participants. In order to collect data, four semi-structured interviews are conducted with nine English Language and Literature students studying in the preparatory school of a private university in Ankara after each component of the thematic unit is covered in class. An additional interview is also conducted before the start of the unit. Another aim of the study is to investigate which genre and approach to teaching English through literature are favored more by the participants. The results of the study are analyzed within the frame of Keller's ARCS model of motivation (2010) which suggest that materials enhance learners' motivation on the condition that they are attractive, relevant, building confidence and satisfying. In this respect, the thematic literature unit is found to meet these requirements by the above-mentioned participants in the study. Furthermore, short stories, reader response approach and personal growth model as well as language model are considered to be more motivating by the participants. Further investigation with a larger group of participants is recommended for better results.