The Effect of Topic Interest on FL Learners’ Interest Level and Reading Achievement: Focusing on Age Differences

In the present study the impact of employing interesting class materials on FL learners’ interest level and their achievement in foreign language reading was investigated. The interaction pattern between interest and age in the context of Interest-Based Language Teaching (IBLT) was examined as well. Sixty-six university students of law and accounting in Hidaj IAU, Iran were used in the investigation. The participants were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (N=33) and control (N=33). Unlike the control group who received the instruction in the usual way, the experimental group received it in a way in which the reading texts were selected based on learners’ interest. The results indicated that the use of IBLT increased learners’ situational interest and improved their performance in FL reading, though it was not statistically significant. Moreover, some patterns of interaction between interest and age were observed with respect to the participants’ performances in FL learning. The study findings could offer efficient uses for FL teaching researchers, teachers, and particularly syllabus designers as applying interest-based materials in ELT instruction will bring considerable benefits for FL learners when materials are matched with their interest areas.