ERIC Number: EJ924940
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0300-4430
EISSN: N/A
The Perception of and Motivation for Foreign Language Learning in Pre-School
Brumen, Mihaela
Early Child Development and Care, v181 n6 p717-732 2011
The purpose of the present study is to investigate how children aged 4-6 perceive and are motivated by foreign language learning in kindergarten. The central part of the paper focuses on the tendencies and guidelines for the teaching and learning of foreign languages at the pre-school level and on children's motivation for foreign language learning. It also introduces the recent practice of foreign language learning in pre-school situations in Slovenia. The data were collected from a non-random sample of children who were learning foreign languages (English and German) within the Network Innovative Project. The research shows that the children were highly motivated by their learning of a foreign language, which was evident in their intrinsic motivation. The children expressed the need for playful activities. They liked to learn the target language because they were actively involved (e.g. talking, singing, playing, running, etc.), felt a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after task completion, and expressed their foreign language knowledge. However, some children disliked learning the foreign language and mentioned some inconvenient factors that bothered them. The children perceived the need for a learning climate that offers a pleasant, safe, and supportive classroom atmosphere. (Contains 5 tables.)
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Foreign Countries, Learning Motivation, Preschool Children, Preschool Evaluation, Emergent Literacy, Guidelines, Educational Practices, Pilot Projects, Interviews, Childhood Interests, German, English (Second Language), Childhood Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Slovenia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A