Integrative versus Instrumental Orientation among Online Language Learners / Orienta o Integrativa versus Instrumental entre aprendizes on-line de língua

Though a growing number of people are studying languages online, what motivates online language learners is not yet well understood. Drawing on data from an international survey conducted among users of a major online site, this study explored the motivational orientation of learners and its relationship to individual background. The results suggest instrumental and integrative orientation for English, Chinese, and Portuguese groups, and only instrumental orientation for Spanish respondents. In addition, the results suggest that learner orientation varies by age, gender, income, education, linguistic background, and target language. This study confirms that the distinctions between instrumental and integrative orientation are meaningful in online language learning and applicable to other cultural contexts as well.