This study examined whether foreign language learner anxiety and motivational goal orientations remained stable across two different classroom contexts: a reading course and a conversation course. The researcher measured anxiety and four types of motivational goal orientations by surveying 59 Korean college students learning English in both…

This interpretive multiple case study examines the motivation to learn a second language among sixth grade students who attended a French immersion school for grades K-5. Parent surveys, student surveys based on Gardner's Attitude/Motivation Test Battery, and individual and group interviews with students were the data sources used to identify…

This study examines the motivations, attitudes, and goals of a Spanish for native speakers (SNS) class at a large Midwestern university over a semester, using questionnaires, student interviews, classroom observation, and instructor interviews as data sources. It presents results from four students who participated in the data collection, but…

Calls for a careful examination of educational values, due to the lack of satisfaction and pride in the profession of foreign language teaching. The nonlinguistic outcomes of foreign language study are stressed. (Author/RM)

Presents techniques from Writing Across the Curriculum adapted to the foreign language classroom. Strategies for encouraging students to write more effectively in the foreign language are described. The strategies include assigning relevant topics, treating writing as a process, and responding to and evaluating student writing in a more…

Investigates the existence of distinct motivational groups within a population of Taiwan English as a foreign language learners. Assumed the existence of both an integrative and instrumental motivation. A hypothesized motivation, labeled "required" was also tested for. Results did not support existence of an integrative motivational…

This study investigates the initial motivation of learners of Arabic as a foreign language (AFL). One hundred and twenty students enrolled in first-year and second-year AFL classes participated in this study. The participants were classified into two major groups of learners according to their heritage background: The first group consisted of…

Describes a survey instrument developed to study the behavioral characteristics of gifted and talented foreign language learners. The survey was sent to selected teachers of French, German, and Spanish to determine how they perceived the characteristics of these students. The lists of characteristics obtained were rank-ordered by knowledgeable…

Interviews with "Shin Nisei," new second-generation Japanese, university students reveal how strongly motivation influences persistence in taking Japanese courses and the intensity with which these students use Japanese outside the classroom. The discussion stresses problems facing Shin Nisei students in traditional college foreign-language…

Explores various aspects of the functional-notional textbook or syllabus. This is a concept originating with the Council of Europe that involves the organization of a textbook or syllabus according to the notions or functions that a learner hopes to be able to express. (RM)

A study investigated the effects of grading practices on the oral production and attitudes of high school students in first-year German courses. The effectiveness of structured situational practice activities on oral communication with and without grading were examined. Results indicated that there were differences in proficiency as related to…

Reports the results of a three-year qualitative observation study of a Japanese foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) program. The observation was analyzed from the sociocultural point of view led by Vygotsky, which treats learning through social guidance and motivation as central to an account of language development. (Author/JL)

Aptitude is not a valid predictor of achievement in a foreign language. Studies show that motivation does affect achievement. Since the student's attitude and performance are affected by the teacher's attitude, teacher-learner interaction should be recognized as a major determinant of successful FL study. (KM)

Given the decline in French majors and enrollments in French junior year study abroad programs, educators have increasingly turned to short-term study abroad for first- and second-year students. These programs can motivate students fulfilling the language requirement, while also internationalizing the curriculum through interdisciplinary and…

Surveyed the make-up of a sample of first- and second-year university-level Spanish learners at a major postsecondary institution in a city with a growing umber of monolingual and bilingual Spanish speakers. Results were used to address questions about learner preparation prior to entering a 4-year university course of study, preferred activities…