Attitudes and Motivational Factors in Second Language Learning

A study investigated the role of attitudes and motivation in second language learning by administering a semantic differential measure to college students studying Spanish in three different tracks (linguistic, cultural, and bilingual, or native-speaker). The student's track was determined by grades and language experience. Findings suggest that students in each track have different attitudes toward the foreign language. The native speakers showed an "integrative " attitude toward the usability and need for the class. The linguistic-track students had a more "instrumental " outlook focused on the relationship of language to job opportunities. Students in the "cultural " track had a negative attitude toward the second language and anything related to it and showed a "rebound " effect whereby they reacted positively to anything related to English. The findings also suggest that attitudes toward language, the second language, and the second language teacher play a more important role in second language learning than previously described. (MSE) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ************wlm******************************************************** rt c