A Study of the Roles of Attitudinal and Motivational Factors in Foreign Language Learning and Acquisition

This study attempted to investigate answers from re1ated 1iterature to the fo11owing two questions: What is the re1ationship between motivation and successfu1 foreign 1anguage 1earning? And what are the effects of positive and negative attitudes toward the 1earning and acquisition of a foreign 1anguage? Results from a wide range of studies have shown the significant relationship of attitudes and motivation to the achievement in foreign language learning. It has also been found that positive attitudes do enhance learning; whereas negative attitudes can hinder or even prevent learning. Furthermore, research findings have indicated that attitudes are learned and can be changed. This, thus, can possibly help increase the student's motivation to learn a foreign language. Researchers further concluded that attitudes influence an individual's level of motivation and that the level of motivation can produce different levels of proficiency. Since attitudes and motivation play a vital role in the student's success in learning a foreign or second language, the student, teacher, and administrator should take the following steps to promote positive attitudes and improve motivation to learn the language. First, schools have to improve the cultural component of the language programs because of its impact on the student's attitudes and motivation, especially for those at the elementary level. Second, schools must offer students opportunities to use the target language outside the classroom. Besides, teachers and administrators should encourage students to improve their attitudes toward the people and the culture of the target language. Finally, schools or the government should provide substantial incentives to increase students' motivation to learn the target language.