Capstone/Dissertation Title
Student motivation towards foreign language learning: why do high school students take two or four years of Spanish?
Term
2010
Capstone
Restricted Access Thesis
Degree Name
MAESL
Abstract
This study was designed to answer the following questions: What are high school students' motivations for taking more advanced levels of foreign language class? What other forces in their lives influence their decisions? As a Spanish teacher, I am concerned that so few students continue their Spanish studies beyond the minimum two years and therefore do not become proficient in the language. The methods used in my study include a short informal interview and four different online surveys. The participants were discontinued Spanish students and current Spanish I and IV students, their parents, and the high school counselor. The results of this study indicate that students who take only one or two years do so to meet a college recommendation and students who take four years have a desire to communicate in the language. All students demonstrated a positive attitude towards Spanish as did the parents surveyed.
Recommended Citation
Peters, Amy M, "Student motivation towards foreign language learning: why do high school students take two or four years of Spanish?" (2010). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations. 407.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_all/407