SLAattitude.pptVIP

Attitudes Outline Language attitudes Learner attitudes Characteristics of attitudes Attitude scale Attitude determination Motivation and attitude Success and attitude Points to consider Language attitudes Language attitudes refers to the attitudes which speakers of different languages or language varieties have towards each other’s language or to their own language. Expressions of positive or negative feelings towards a language may reflect impressions of linguistic difficulty or simplicity, ease or difficulty of learning, degree of importance, elegance, social status, etc. Attitudes towards a language may also show what people feel about the speakers of that language. Language attitudes may have an effect on second language or foreign language learning. The measurement of language attitudes provides information which is useful in language teaching and language planning. ( Dictionary ) Learner attitudes Learner attitudes include attitudes towards the target language, target language speakers, the target-language culture, the social value of learning the L2, particular uses of the target language, and themselves as members of their own culture. These attitudes are likely to reflect the particular social settings in which learners find themselves. Learner attitudes have an impact on the level of L2 proficiency achieved by individual learners and are themselves influenced by this success.( Ellis ) Attitudes and success Learners with positive attitudes, who experience success will have these attitudes reinforced. Similarly, learner’s negative attitudes may be strengthened by lack of success. We will also find cases of learners who begin with positive attitudes but who, for one reason or another, experience inadequate learning opportunities, fail to progress as they expected, and, consequently, become more negative in their outlook. However, negative attitudes may have a positive effect on L2 learning if the learners have a strong reason for learning. ( Ellis ) Charact