Factors Affecting Language Learning

MOTIVATIONS AND ATTITUDES OF UPLB LANGUAGE COURSES’ STUDENTS TOWARDS FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The acquisition of another language, may it be second (L2) or foreign language (FL), has long been the topic of interest in various disciplines like linguistics, sociology and psychology. Researchers through the years have determined variety of factors that affect L2/FL learning process such as social milieu, socio-economic status, learning environment and individual differences which includes sub variables as motivation, age, anxiety, intelligence and attitude. Among these factors, motivation and attitude are widely acknowledged as major determinants that differentiate learners and their level of achievement in acquiring a language. Numerous investigations have been done in the field suggesting the role of motivation and attitude in L2/FL learning (e.g. Gardner & Lambert, 1972; Dornyei, 1994; Oxford & Shearin, 1994; Noels, 2001).

In a formal school setting, student’s motivation combined with their attitude towards studying another language highly affects their learning outcomes. An individual who is motivated and has a positive attitude has a greater chance of succeeding in acquiring the language than those who lack them. It increases their behavior, interest, as well as their action in the language classroom (Deci & Ryan, 1985). However, in a context where the language being studied is only use inside the classroom, learning poses a greater