A Study of the Effects of Attitude and Motivation on Military Officers' Achievement in Learning Foreign Languages

態度與動機對國軍軍官外文學習成效的影響

高其清(Chyi-Chir Kao)

《復興崗學報》 66期 (1999/06) Pp. 15-39

並列摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine attitude and motivation are related to the effectiveness of foreign language learning.
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 can possibly help increase the student's motivation to learn a foreign language. Researchers further conclude that attitudes influence an individual's level of motivation and that the level of motivation can produce different levels of proficiency.
Questionnaires were given to 148 National Defense Language Institute officer students studying in seven foreign languages. The results indicate that attitude proves to be closely related to motivation in learning a foreign language. Data analysis further finds out a strong relationship between the total mean of attitude and motivation and the effectiveness of language learning. The stronger the motivation and the more positive the attitude, the higher the level of the language 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 foster positive attitudes and promote motivation to learn the language. First, schools have to include cultural component into language programs because of its impact on the student's attitudes and motivation. 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 languages.

並列關鍵字

attitude ； motivation ； attitudinal factors ； motivational factors ； positive attitude ； negative attitude ； foreign language learning ； language proficiency