Psycholinguistic ResearchPsycholinguistic Research

Topic:Topic: “Why do we study “Why do we study foreign foreign

languages?”languages?”

group 301group 301

Project PortfolioProject Portfolio

• Subject:Subject: applied Linguistics, theory of applied Linguistics, theory of intercultural communication, psycholinguistics;intercultural communication, psycholinguistics;

• Language levelLanguage level: advanced;: advanced;

• ParticipantsParticipants: third year students of the Faculty : third year students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages;of Foreign Languages;

• Age:Age: 20-22; 20-22;

• Number of participantsNumber of participants: 10;: 10;

• Way of work:Way of work: in- and outclass work; in- and outclass work;

• Time of project workTime of project work: 6 weeks.: 6 weeks.

Project Group:Project Group:

Osintseva T.NOsintseva T.N.- organization, management;.- organization, management; Zhyvych O., Ovechkina JZhyvych O., Ovechkina J.- creating .- creating

questionnaires, presentation;questionnaires, presentation; Kuznestova D., Klimenko A.-Kuznestova D., Klimenko A.- investigating non- investigating non-

linguistic students’ group, Internet resources;linguistic students’ group, Internet resources; Bakina J., Chertovikova D.-Bakina J., Chertovikova D.- investigating investigating

linguistic students’ group;linguistic students’ group; Scherbakova I., Choroschych NScherbakova I., Choroschych N.- investigating .- investigating

engineers’ group;engineers’ group; Polityko JPolityko J..-- analyzing and comparing the analyzing and comparing the

results, Microsoft Power Point presentation.results, Microsoft Power Point presentation.

Educational ObjectivesEducational Objectives Development of Development of project skillsproject skills, of using a foreign , of using a foreign

language for the purpose of getting sociolinguistic language for the purpose of getting sociolinguistic data (concerning the goals of foreign language data (concerning the goals of foreign language learning);learning);

Development of the ability to conduct linguistic Development of the ability to conduct linguistic projects using the projects using the mother tongue (as well as a mother tongue (as well as a foreign languageforeign language););

Fostering the ability to think and Fostering the ability to think and process data process data logically and criticallylogically and critically, the ability to be , the ability to be broad-broad-minded and unprejudiced; minded and unprejudiced;

Broadening of the Broadening of the linguistic (professional) linguistic (professional) horizonshorizons, awareness in the problem of foreign , awareness in the problem of foreign language learning in different age and language learning in different age and professional groups;professional groups;

Developing the capacity for Developing the capacity for empiric empiric investigationsinvestigations..

Pedagogical ObjectivesPedagogical Objectives

Developing Developing linguistic competencelinguistic competence (studying specific lexical units when (studying specific lexical units when preparing the project); preparing the project);

Developing Developing cultural competencecultural competence (studying the results of similar (studying the results of similar investigations conducted abroad);investigations conducted abroad);

Developing Developing methodological methodological competencecompetence (skills of obtaining and (skills of obtaining and processing sociolinguistic information).processing sociolinguistic information).

ProjectProject Goals Goals ::

• comparing the goals of a second comparing the goals of a second language learning concerning different language learning concerning different age groups;age groups;

• singling out the most “popular” second singling out the most “popular” second language in this country and abroad language in this country and abroad and the reasons for its popularity;and the reasons for its popularity;

• defining the main factors of motivation defining the main factors of motivation for language learning on an for language learning on an international scale.international scale.

Project Work Project Work Organization stage-Organization stage- stating the problem of stating the problem of

research, its objectives, individual activity research, its objectives, individual activity planning, defining the stages and the dates of planning, defining the stages and the dates of conducting the project;conducting the project;

Research stage-Research stage- working upon the contents of working upon the contents of the project, creating questionnaires and conducting the project, creating questionnaires and conducting a sociolinguistic research, comparing its results to a sociolinguistic research, comparing its results to those of similar investigations made abroad;those of similar investigations made abroad;

Testing the project-Testing the project- assessing the results of the assessing the results of the research, presenting the results, selecting material research, presenting the results, selecting material for the conference; for the conference;

Analyzing the ResultsAnalyzing the Results of the project; of the project; The “Feedback” Stage-The “Feedback” Stage- presentation of the presentation of the

project results at the city teachers’ conference;project results at the city teachers’ conference;

ProjectProject ObjectivesObjectives::• creating questionnairescreating questionnaires to get the to get the

sociolinguistic information we are interested in;sociolinguistic information we are interested in;• conducting conducting the above-mentioned psycholinguistic the above-mentioned psycholinguistic

researchresearch in different groups; criteria: linguistic in different groups; criteria: linguistic competence (generally monolingual or bilingual, competence (generally monolingual or bilingual, professional identification, age group);professional identification, age group);

• processing the dataprocessing the data (analytical and statistical (analytical and statistical methods);methods);

• singling out the motivation and objectives of singling out the motivation and objectives of foreign language learning in Russia;foreign language learning in Russia;

• comparing the motivation and goalscomparing the motivation and goals of a of a second language learning in this country and second language learning in this country and abroad (analyzing similar international research abroad (analyzing similar international research data).data).

Our MotivationOur Motivation

““Aspects of English Language Teaching”, credit Aspects of English Language Teaching”, credit work; work;

Acuteness of the topic nowadays, increased interest in Acuteness of the topic nowadays, increased interest in the problem of foreign language learning in the the problem of foreign language learning in the modern society; modern society;

Presentation of the project at the city teachers’ Presentation of the project at the city teachers’ conference; conference;

Instrumental motivation (unusual investigation form, Instrumental motivation (unusual investigation form, getting valuable linguistic information);getting valuable linguistic information);

Mass media response ( the Internet). Mass media response ( the Internet).

Informational and Technical SourcesInformational and Technical Sources

Internet recoursesInternet recourses;; The USPU libraryThe USPU library;; The British Council LibraryThe British Council Library;; Scientific archives of the conductors Scientific archives of the conductors

and participants of the project. and participants of the project.

The Research Instrument:The Research Instrument:

• Question 1. 3 choices for each item.Question 1. 3 choices for each item.-The most beautiful language -The most beautiful language -The ugliest language -The ugliest language -The most difficult-The most difficult-The easiest language-The easiest language-The richest language-The richest language-The poorest language-The poorest language• Question 2. This language is… (3 associations for Question 2. This language is… (3 associations for

each language).each language).-English -Russian -Italian-English -Russian -Italian-German -French -Spanish-German -French -Spanish

The Research InstrumentThe Research Instrument

• Question 3. This language is suitable Question 3. This language is suitable for… (3 opportunities for each language).for… (3 opportunities for each language).

-English-English -Russian-Russian -German-German -French-French -Italian-Italian -Spanish-Spanish

Russia’s FavouritesRussia’s Favourites GroupGroup: Students of non-linguistic faculties of universities: Students of non-linguistic faculties of universities AgeAge: 18-22: 18-22

Personal Preferences

French50%

Italian30%

English20%

French

Italian

English

NB! 100% of students suppose that the RICHEST language is… Russian!!!

Would Actually Like to Study...

English24%

French18%Japanese

9%

Others49%

English

French

Japanese

Others

ReasonsReasons for Language for Language StudyStudy::

English:English: practical reasons travelling, practical reasons travelling, business, international communication, world-business, international communication, world-wide popularity;wide popularity;

Russian (!)Russian (!): developing rhetorical skills;: developing rhetorical skills; GermanGerman: travelling, Philosophy study;: travelling, Philosophy study; FrenchFrench: romance letters, taking part in creative : romance letters, taking part in creative

activities abroad;activities abroad; Italian:Italian: studying musical terms; studying musical terms; SpanishSpanish: travelling, romance.: travelling, romance.

Russia’s Favourites-2 Russia’s Favourites-2

GroupGroup: Students of linguistic faculties of universities;: Students of linguistic faculties of universities;

Age:Age: 18-22 18-22

21

7 4

0

10

20

30

Answers

French Italian Russian

Languages

Personal Preferences

NB! Russian is thought to be the richest language by 88% of respondents (Arabic, English- 6% of votes).

15

8

6

2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

English French German Spanish

Would Actually Like to Study

Reasons for Language Study:Reasons for Language Study:

EnglishEnglish: needs of business communication, : needs of business communication, international communication, language of international communication, language of politics;politics;

RussianRussian: developing literary skills, reading, : developing literary skills, reading, communication with native people;communication with native people;

GermanGerman: scientific research, military matters, : scientific research, military matters, business communication;business communication;

French:French: romance letters, art, everyday life; romance letters, art, everyday life; ItalianItalian: romance, art (music, singing);: romance, art (music, singing); SpanishSpanish: romance (passion), singing, : romance (passion), singing,

quarrels(!). quarrels(!).

Russia’s Favourites-3Russia’s Favourites-3

Group:Group: Industrial workers and engineers; Industrial workers and engineers;

Age:Age: 25-30. 25-30.

24

8

13

0

5

10

15

20

25

Answers

French Russian Italian

Languages

Personal Preferences

17

14

11

5

0

5

10

15

20

Answers

French English Italian Others

Languages

Would Actually Like to Study

NB! Russian is again acknowledged as THE RICHEST language by the absolute majority.

Russia’s Favourites-4Russia’s Favourites-4 GroupGroup: industrial workers and engineers;: industrial workers and engineers; AgeAge: 30-40.: 30-40.

28

64

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Answers

French Italian Russian

Languages

Personal Preferences

NB! Russian is thought to be the richest language by the absolute majority of respondents (only 5% voted for Japanese).

18

14

5

0

5

10

15

20

Answers

English French Italian

Languages

Would Actually Like to Study

Reason for Language Study:Reason for Language Study: EnglishEnglish: international communication, computer : international communication, computer work, business;work, business; RussianRussian: everyday communication, literary : everyday communication, literary skills, for EVERYTHING;skills, for EVERYTHING; German:German: commands and curses (!), business, commands and curses (!), business, handling technique;handling technique; French:French: romance, travelling, music; romance, travelling, music; Italian:Italian: music (songs and opera), travelling, music (songs and opera), travelling, curses;curses; Spanish:Spanish: carnivals, music, travelling, watching carnivals, music, travelling, watching corrida. corrida.

… … And Non-FavouritesAnd Non-Favourites

The most The most difficultdifficult language is… language is… Linguistic Students: German and Linguistic Students: German and

Japanese (23,5%).Japanese (23,5%). Non-Linguistic Students: Japanese Non-Linguistic Students: Japanese

(31%).(31%). Engineers (up to 30): Russian (38%);Engineers (up to 30): Russian (38%); Engineers (over 30): Russian (56%).Engineers (over 30): Russian (56%).

The The UGLIESTUGLIEST Language… Language…

Linguistic Students: German (23,5%).Linguistic Students: German (23,5%). Non-Linguistic Students: German (50%).Non-Linguistic Students: German (50%). Engineers (up to 30): German (49%).Engineers (up to 30): German (49%). Engineers (over 30): German (67,5%).Engineers (over 30): German (67,5%).

NB! The less language-oriented people NB! The less language-oriented people are, the stronger the traditional are, the stronger the traditional prejudices operate…prejudices operate…

Conclusions:

In all professional and language groups the desire to learn English prevails;This desire is, however, not always dictated by personal preferences (e.g., many people declare French to be the most beautiful and romantic language);The popularity of English is accounted for by its use as a world Lingua Franca;For younger people professional or practical interest in language learning prevails;For older people internal motivation is more important (language for entertainment).

Europe FavouritesEurope Favourites

• English is the language most widely spoken in the EU (47% of people; for only 16% it’s the mother tongue);

• Apart from English, the rank order of languages more or less follows the order of inhabitants:

LanguageThe Mother Tongue for...

A Second Language

for...

German 24% 8%

French 16% 12%

Italian 16% 2%

Spanish 11% 4%

Reasons for Language Study:Reasons for Language Study:

• Half of Europe is already multilingual, intercultural and international communication have increased;

• Linguistic study is mainly confined to three languages (English, French and German)- the three most “useful” languages to know;

• English is the first foreign language in education in all EU Member States (89% non-anglophone pupils);

• The most popular language the students choose is Spanish (it is said to become a secondary language of the United Sates);

Half of Europe is already Half of Europe is already MultilingualMultilingual

45% of European citizens can take part in a conversation in a 45% of European citizens can take part in a conversation in a language other than their mother tongue language other than their mother tongue

There are large variations between the Member States... There are large variations between the Member States... IIn Luxembourg, nearly everyone speaks another language well n Luxembourg, nearly everyone speaks another language well

enough to hold  a conversation enough to hold  a conversation TThis is also true for more than 8 in 10 people living in the his is also true for more than 8 in 10 people living in the

Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. People in the UK, Ireland and Portugal are least likely to speak People in the UK, Ireland and Portugal are least likely to speak

another language, with less than a third of these population another language, with less than a third of these population saying they can do this. saying they can do this.

Apart from their mother tongue, around 3 in 4 people in the Apart from their mother tongue, around 3 in 4 people in the Netherlands, Denmark (77%) and Sweden (75%) can speak Netherlands, Denmark (77%) and Sweden (75%) can speak English well enough to take part in a conversation English well enough to take part in a conversation

Other countries where many people know German are the Other countries where many people know German are the Netherlands (59%) and Denmark (49%).  Netherlands (59%) and Denmark (49%). 

The place of languages in the The place of languages in the educational systems  educational systems 

Latest figures indicate that the teaching of languages in primary school is Latest figures indicate that the teaching of languages in primary school is growing in Europegrowing in Europe: in Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium-Flanders, : in Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium-Flanders, Greece, Spain, Austria, Finland and Sweden, more than 33% of primary Greece, Spain, Austria, Finland and Sweden, more than 33% of primary pupils are learning a foreign language. pupils are learning a foreign language.

The teaching of languages in compulsory education in more widespread The teaching of languages in compulsory education in more widespread than beforethan before: In Denmark, Greece, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, : In Denmark, Greece, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, teaching of  a foreign language is obligatory for a and the United Kingdom, teaching of  a foreign language is obligatory for a longer period than it was ten years ago. longer period than it was ten years ago.

In Ireland, Italy and Greece, only one foreign language is generally taught;In Ireland, Italy and Greece, only one foreign language is generally taught; elsewhere, two or three languages are studied, or can be studied.elsewhere, two or three languages are studied, or can be studied.

Between the ages 12 and 18, the total number of hours devoted to language Between the ages 12 and 18, the total number of hours devoted to language learning varies from 6 hours per week in Portugal to 1 - 3 hours per week in learning varies from 6 hours per week in Portugal to 1 - 3 hours per week in Belgium (Wallonia), in Greece, in Ireland and in Italy. Belgium (Wallonia), in Greece, in Ireland and in Italy.

Proportion speaking a foreign Proportion speaking a foreign language well enough to take part in language well enough to take part in

a conversation a conversation Socio-demographic group %

StudentsEducated 20 +

ManagersAged 15-24EmployeesAged 25-39Self-employedMenAverage for EU 15Educated to age 16-19Aged 40-54Women Manual WorkersUnemployedHouse persons

Aged 55+Retired 

77%72%69%65%

57%55%50%47%45%44%43%43%41%40%31%28%26%

English Language PollsEnglish Language PollsWhich language is the Which language is the

most difficult?most difficult?  Chinese 34.02 % (1576)Chinese 34.02 % (1576)  

It depends 18.26 % (846)It depends 18.26 % (846)  English 17.35 % (804)English 17.35 % (804)  Russian 9.76 % (452)Russian 9.76 % (452)  Czech 4.60 % (213)Czech 4.60 % (213)  Urdu 4.12 % (191)Urdu 4.12 % (191)  

Spanish 2.14 % (99)Spanish 2.14 % (99)  No language is harder than another 9.76 % (452)No language is harder than another 9.76 % (452)

Total votes: 4633Total votes: 4633

  COMMENTS:COMMENTS:

• italianbrother - 26th December 2003 01:49 italianbrother - 26th December 2003 01:49 It depends on the student itself, though Chinese, or It depends on the student itself, though Chinese, or Japanese, or Arabic, would seem to me quite difficult to Japanese, or Arabic, would seem to me quite difficult to learn, however, for another student Latin, or Italian, or learn, however, for another student Latin, or Italian, or French might be as difficult as the latter languages are to French might be as difficult as the latter languages are to meme. .

• Xanch - 19th February 2004 05:52Xanch - 19th February 2004 05:52 it's supposed that the most difficult languages are the latin it's supposed that the most difficult languages are the latin ones cause those has more expressions and are the most ones cause those has more expressions and are the most "exact" languages (also German) ."exact" languages (also German) .

• Mark - 3rd March 2004 00:18 Mark - 3rd March 2004 00:18 English is one of the easiest most common languages on English is one of the easiest most common languages on the planet. At the time of writing this comment, I've been the planet. At the time of writing this comment, I've been studying English for one year and half. studying English for one year and half.

COMMENTSCOMMENTS::

• Kamil_Rak - 5th May 2004 02:15 Kamil_Rak - 5th May 2004 02:15

I say the most difficult language is Polish because I say the most difficult language is Polish because of its grammar, pronunciation and so many, of its grammar, pronunciation and so many, many, many, other things and rules. Barok! I many, many, other things and rules. Barok! I learn Chinese and Japanese, also. It is very easy.learn Chinese and Japanese, also. It is very easy.

  

• tdol - 8th May 2004 01:33 tdol - 8th May 2004 01:33

I'm trying to learn Japanese and it is very diI'm trying to learn Japanese and it is very diffficult ficult coming from English. coming from English.

COMMENTS:COMMENTS:

• queenmaabd - 25th October 2004 23:57queenmaabd - 25th October 2004 23:57 I believe all languages as equally difficult (or I believe all languages as equally difficult (or easy!). We all master most grammatical language easy!). We all master most grammatical language hurdles by the age of five, no matter what hurdles by the age of five, no matter what language we are learning! language we are learning!

• Marek - 25th January 2005 16:47 Marek - 25th January 2005 16:47 I presume that for me the most difficult language I presume that for me the most difficult language to learn would be Chinese, though it has simple to learn would be Chinese, though it has simple grammagrammarr rules, but thinking is quite different rules, but thinking is quite different than in Indo-european tongues. than in Indo-european tongues.

COMMENTS:COMMENTS:

• Tom trig - 28th March 2005 17:41Tom trig - 28th March 2005 17:41

That all depends on your native language. For a Japanese That all depends on your native language. For a Japanese person, Mandarin Chinese is a lot easier than English.person, Mandarin Chinese is a lot easier than English.

• anna - 5th July 2005 20:57 anna - 5th July 2005 20:57 Have you ever heard anything about Armenian language, Have you ever heard anything about Armenian language, both Western and Eastern? It is extremely difficult!!!!!!both Western and Eastern? It is extremely difficult!!!!!!

• gustoenglish - 27th July 2005 18:14 gustoenglish - 27th July 2005 18:14 It depends on the native language of course, but if there It depends on the native language of course, but if there are a myriad of rule exceptions, it makes learning a are a myriad of rule exceptions, it makes learning a language very difficult. Japanese is a bear!language very difficult. Japanese is a bear!..   

Final Conclusions:Final Conclusions: In non-linguistic groups In non-linguistic groups the desirethe desire to learn a foreign language is to learn a foreign language is

defined by personal preferences (“I like the way the language defined by personal preferences (“I like the way the language sounds…”). In linguistic groups of students the interest is sounds…”). In linguistic groups of students the interest is professional, as well as practical.professional, as well as practical.

People People actually learnactually learn English in the majority of cases, as it is English in the majority of cases, as it is the most taught, useful and required foreign language nowadays. the most taught, useful and required foreign language nowadays. The lack of motivation is sometimes accounted for by traditional The lack of motivation is sometimes accounted for by traditional convictions as to the beauty of the Russian language (esp. in convictions as to the beauty of the Russian language (esp. in elderly groups).elderly groups).

In Europe motivation for language learning is dictated by In Europe motivation for language learning is dictated by practical needs: travelling, real communication (small distances).practical needs: travelling, real communication (small distances).

In Russia motivation for language learning is enhanced by In Russia motivation for language learning is enhanced by professional needs (teaching, computer work generally). Older professional needs (teaching, computer work generally). Older people are interested in language learning mainly for people are interested in language learning mainly for entertainment. entertainment.