Exploring motivation and agency in informal contact with English - An emic investigation of Italian university students

The book delves into the evolving landscape of English language exposure in
informal settings, focussing on how Italian university students access English
input during their leisure time. Drawing on interviews conducted at a middlesized
university in northern Italy, it investigates why students voluntarily immerse
themselves in English content outside of educational contexts and the language
acquisition factors involved. As digital technologies and streaming platforms
make English media more accessible, the opportunities for incidental language
learning expand, offering promising potential for enhancing proficiency.
The book emphasises the significant role of individual motivation – both intrinsic
and extrinsic – and personal agency in shaping how students navigate these
opportunities. Grounded in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research, Self-
Determination Theory (SDT), and Bandura’s social cognitive framework, the
work explores variability among learners, demonstrating that not all benefit
equally from informal contact with English, especially when dealing with complex
spoken input. The analysis, supported by case studies and interviews, uncovers
both common and individualised patterns of behaviour. Exploring Motivation
and Agency in Informal Contact with English offers valuable insights for
educators, researchers, and students, shedding light on how fostering awareness of
motivation and agency can help learners make the most of the rich opportunities
provided by informal English exposure.