ERIC Number: EJ1029598
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Jun
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0018-2133
EISSN: N/A
Students' Motivations for Choosing (Or Not) to Study Portuguese: A Survey of Beginning-Level University Classes
Bateman, Blair E.; de Almeida Oliveira, Desirée
Hispania, v97 n2 p264-280 Jun 2014
Although previous literature has discussed ways of promoting the study of Portuguese, to our knowledge no study has ever directly surveyed students to ascertain why they chose to learn the language. This study reports on a survey of the motivations of first- and second-year Portuguese students to study the language, and contrasts their motivations with those of students of French, German, Italian, and Spanish. In addition, the study reports on students' opinions as to the usefulness of Portuguese in comparison with these other European languages. Results showed that Portuguese students consisted of two separate groups, Spanish speakers and non-Spanish speakers, each with distinct motivations for language learning, which differed from those of students of other European languages. Based on the findings, we offer recommendations for the recruitment and instruction of Portuguese students at the post-secondary level, with particular emphasis on Portuguese for Spanish speakers.
Descriptors: Student Motivation, Career Choice, Portuguese, Student Surveys, Student Attitudes, Indo European Languages, Comparative Analysis, Preferences, Spanish Speaking, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Student Interests, Control Groups, Experimental Groups, Questionnaires, Student Characteristics, Majors (Students), Travel, Social Support Groups, Degree Requirements, Affective Objectives, Self Efficacy, Cultural Awareness, College Students
American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, Inc. 900 Ladd Road, Walled Lake, MI 48390. Tel: 248-960-2180; Fax: 248-960-9570; e-mail: AATSPoffice@aatsp.org; Web site: http://www.aatsp.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Postsecondary Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Utah
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A