STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT
<p>The paper investigates students’ perceptions and attitudes toward extracurricular activities (ECAs) organized by the English Language and Literature Department at the University of Zenica (UNZE). While ECAs are widely acknowledged for their pedagogical value, their role in higher education contexts within Bosnia and Herzegovina remains heavily underexplored. In that sense, the study aim was to assess the perceived effect of ECAs, such as quizzes, conferences, and competitions, on students’ interpersonal, social, and speaking skills, motivation, as well as the practical application of their academic knowledge. Data for this quantitative study was collected through an online questionnaire containing Likert-scale and multiple-choice items, while the respondents included undergraduate students across all four study years. Responses reveal that a majority of students view ECAs positively and show high levels of motivation and willingness to participate in the said activities. In addition, most students recognize that participation in ECAs has enhanced their interpersonal and social skills while many also note improvements in their English speaking skills and increased motivation levels. Hence, study results contribute to discussions on learners’ motivation in higher education contexts and offer insights that may inform future institutional strategies concerning the general students’ engagement.</p>