In this paper, we present the outcomes of a survey and intervention among Japanese first-year university students, focusing on their attitudes towards English learning. A 2023 survey conducted using Google Forms revealed that a substantial 70% of the 125 participants expressed a dislike for English. To address this issue, the study employed Arnold's (2013) approach of achieving the 'ideal self' through positive reinforcement and Dörnyei's (2009) tactics for enhancing student attitudes. The interventions involved a multimodal approach, combining traditional textbook learning with multimedia tools such as YouTube videos, performance-based assessments, and a tailored English for Specific Purposes (ESP) curriculum focused on sports vocabulary. The effectiveness of these methods in altering students' negative perceptions of English was assessed, with a particular focus on their athletic inclinations, which guided the ESP curriculum design. The study's findings suggest that these combined approaches significantly improved students' attitudes and motivation towards English learning. Moreover, the study highlights the potential of performance-based tasks and multimedia tools to address motivational challenges, providing an adaptable framework that can be implemented across various academic disciplines to foster student engagement in language learning.
Norio Wakayama (Wed,) studied this question.