Personality, motivation, and language attitudes of learners of CTLs and LCTLs

• Main Authors: Mingzhen Bao, Lucia Lee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages 2012-08-01
• Series: Journal of the National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages
• Subjects: Personality; motivation; CTLs; neuroticism; Non-foreign; integrativeness; attitudes
• Online Access: http://www.ncolctl.org/files/personality-motivation.pdf

Research has explored various characteristics of foreign language learners. However, little research has investigated how personality traits, motivation, and language attitudes are similarly or differently described between learners of Commonly Taught Languages (CTLs) and Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs). The current study examined the correlations of academic achievement, personality, and motivation of learners in CTLs, LCTLs and Non-foreign languages (NFLs), respectively, and the extent to which learners in CTLs, LCTLs and NFLs may differ in these perspectives. The results indicated correlations between overall academic achievement and foreign language achievement of students in CTLs and LCTLs. In addition, students in CTLs, LCTLs and NFLs also experienced their unique correlations in personality and motivation factors. Significant differences were noticed in neuroticism and motivation of the target language: students studying LCTLs were less nervous and more motivated than those in CTLs. Strong tendencies occurred in integrativeness and attitudes toward the learning situation: students in LCTLs attained a more integrative orientation and a more positive attitude toward the learning environment.