The Adaptation of Language Learning Curiosity Scale into Turkish Language

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to test a version of the original language-learning curiosity scale (LLCS) adapted for the Turkish language and culture. The concept of curiosity has been explained in many types and scopes. Language curiosity comprises two principal curiosity types reflected as a feeling of interest or of deprivation. The data for the study were collected from 670 volunteer middle-school students living in Ankara, in Turkey. The 6-point Likert-type original scale has eleven items with two subscales related to the feeling of interest ( items 1, 4, 9 and 11) and deprivation (items 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10). The internal consistency of the original full scale and subscales as a feeling of interest and as a feeling of deprivation were proved reliable with findings of 0.80, 0.74 and 0.72. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the original scale was performed with a two-factor model and showed wellfit indices. After a series of translation processes of the scale items into the Turkish language, the adapted scale was applied in three middle schools in Ankara. The adapted scale's descriptive statistics showed similar findings to the results of the original scale. The internal consistency of the adapted full scale and the subscales as a feeling of interest and as a feeling of deprivation were found to be .92, .86 and .88. A CFA of the adapted scale was calculated using the same model of the original scale as a two-factor model and showed well-fit indices of .94 for CFI, .93 for TLI, .08 for RMSEA and .06 for SRMR, similar to the findings for the original scale. These statistical findings prove that the adapted scale items are valid and reliable for the Turkish language and culture within the scope of middle-school education in Turkey. The Turkish version of the LLCS can be tested using other variables for higher-level students in high schools and colleges.