How do learners' attitudes towards French change over time and age

Learners’ attitudes towards French tend to vary over time and with age, influenced by several factors such as exposure, motivation, and proficiency development.

• Research shows that younger learners often start with more positive attitudes due to novelty and initial interest, but attitudes can fluctuate as they advance in proficiency and face challenges in learning. ^{1, 2}
• The level of extracurricular exposure and the perceived utility of French (e.g., for employment or cultural purposes) significantly shape learners’ ongoing motivation and attitudes. ^{3, 1}
• Attitudes also change as learners transition from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood, with motivational factors evolving accordingly; for example, instrumental motivations like job prospects become more influential at older ages. ^{4, 3}
• Studies of bilingual adolescents suggest that factors including language exposure and identity construction impact how attitudes towards French develop longitudinally over several years. ⁵
• Overall, age effects are evident but complex; younger learners might be more enthusiastic initially, but positive attitudes can be maintained or even increase with targeted instruction and meaningful use of the language over time. ^{2, 1}

Thus, learners’ attitudes towards French generally start positively, may fluctuate during adolescence, and tend to be influenced by real-life language use opportunities, personal motivations, and ongoing language experiences as they grow older. This dynamic nature underscores the importance of sustained engagement and relevant instructional practices to maintain or enhance positive attitudes across different ages.

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