Nicolas Rueda Castro, 2162238

Attitude as an important key when learning a language

Based on my short time teaching English as a second language (L2), I have experienced some

factors such as motivation, age, aptitude, cognitive style, and many others that influence the

process of learners acquiring the L2; however, in my opinion attitude is the most significant

aspect throughout this learning process. In this synthesis essay, firstly I will try to present a brief

explanation on what attitude is in a learning context, followed by the presentation of some

authors who support this idea.

From my standpoint, the term attitude in a second language learning context refers to the set

of some conscious or subconscious opinions that someone has towards learning an L2. In the

following extract taken from the Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics in 1985, some

experts try to give a significance to what attitude is:

Language attitudes are the attitude which speakers of different languages have toward

other’s languages or to their own language. Expression of positive or negative feelings

toward a language may reflect impression of linguistic difficulty or simplicity, ease or

difficulty of learning, degrees of important, social status, etc. (Richards, Platt, Weber, &

Inman, 1985).

To proceed with this paper, I will display some authors who have similar thoughts in order to

support the importance of attitude. According to (Seyyed Behrooz & Delaram , 2013) “… having

positive or negative attitudes towards a certain language and the way learners perceive that

language can exert considerable influence upon their performance on the language itself.” Thus,

in a situation in which an L2 learner has a negative attitude towards the language that is learning
 Nicolas Rueda Castro, 2162238

(it could be for any reason), his performance will be affected, and at the same time, he will not be

able to improve in his L2 learning process.

Furthermore, Nathalie Ann C. Alaga, an English Instructor of College of Arts & Sciences at

Samar State University, based on a research that she conducted states that “The positive attitude

revealed to be the determinant factor why the student-respondents are interested to use the

English language. Good impression and judgment towards English language revealed to be

important to the student – respondents for them to use the English language effectively not only

during class hours but also in a real – world communication process.” (Alaga, 2016).

Additionally, it is necessary that teachers are aware of this situation in order to enhance the

students’ attitude towards the class. Nathalie points out that “generally, the student– respondents

revealed to have positive attitude and motivation towards English language as they believe that

English language could be useful for job opportunities in the future.” (Alaga, 2016). So, it will be

a good idea to try to contextualize the L2 with the students’ environment to avoid negative

attitude.

To conclude this short paper, I can say that attitude is a substantial factor in the process of

learning an L2, since it defines the improvement, and therefore, the success learning the

language. Also, the attitude towards the L2 paves the way in which the learners will use the L2 in

the classrooms and in real-life contexts. Finally, teachers should be conscious of their students’

attitude in a way to teach them the L2 in a better way; to do so, teachers could link the language

to the students’ context as mentioned before.

 Nicolas Rueda Castro, 2162238

References
Alaga, N. A. (2016, Mayo 20-21). Motivation and Attitude of Students Towards Learning English
Language. International Conference on Research in Social Sciences, Humanities and Education.
Cebu, Phillippines.

Richards, J., Platt, J., Weber, H., & Inman, P. (1985). Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics.

Seyyed Behrooz , H., & Delaram , P. (2013). Language Learners’ Attitudes and Beliefs: Brief Review of the
Related Literature and Frameworks. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their
Implications.