Adult Language Learners' Extramural English: A Quantitative Study on Adult Language Learners in Sweden

Abstract

The increasing usage of English and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Swedish society gives students increased opportunities to use English outside of the classroom. This has led to an increased interest in students’ usage of English outside of school, although the focus of research in this area has been on younger students. This study’s purpose is to investigate to what extent adult English language learners are engaging in Extramural English activities. It also seeks to map what Extramural English activities are most frequently used among this group of students. A quantitative questionnaire was given to 97 adult second language (L2) students at two adult education centers. The results indicate that the amount of time spent on Extramural English activities differed between individuals with an average of five hours per week. Extramural English listening activities were the far most popular type of activity engaged in, followed by reading activities. Much less time was spent on speaking and writing activities. The five most popular specific activities were listening to music, surfing the internet, watching TV, watching movies, and watching video clips. This knowledge is important to teachers because it enables them to adapt the English teaching of the classroom to connect with the Extramural English of the students. Doing this could lead to a more meaningful and motivating classroom. It also enables the teacher to provide types of input which these students do not meet on their own outside of school, which could strengthen their language learning.