A Study on Context and Experience in Language Learning Motivation

What am I researching?
I am looking at how secondary school students (age 16 and above), who are often tasked
with learning and developing two or more languages (including their own or “native”
language(s)) consider their learning experience, and how it affects their motivation to
continue learning language later in life.

How will I conduct the research?

The study will be conducted in two stages. The first is a survey, where students will be
asked to report on their language background. The survey will be used to choose
participants for the second stage, which will consist of a series of interviews over the
course of a year. Students will be asked about how they think about the languages they
are learning and using in an effort to understand how the language experience holds up
among everything else a secondary school student has to take care of throughout the
year.

When will the study be conducted?

Surveys will be done during the spring term, 2019.
Interviews are expected to start either late spring or early fall, 2019.

Why is this project being carried out?

Secondary school students are often tasked with learning foreign languages on top of
developing their native language skills as well as keeping up with other school subjects;
the Post Primary Languages Initiative has only reinforced this. However, rarely, if ever, are
the students asked about this. If language learning is to be meaningful, the learner has to
be considered; this study is an attempt to give the learners a voice and provide teachers of
both native and foreign languages insight into what their students are thinking.

Any questions?
Questions can be directed to the primary researcher, Carlos R. Oliveras (oliverac@tcd.ie)
or his supervisor, Dr. Gessica De Angelis (gessica.deangelis@tcd.ie).