Attitudes to language learning: a comparative study of peer group influences

Abstract

This article examines the nature and influence of peer group perceptions on pupils' attitudes to learning German and French. It begins with an overview of key findings from the literature, before reviewing selected results from a large PhD attitudinal survey using a multi-stage qualitative research design. The article focuses on the perceptions of a total of 295 French and German learners at mixed comprehensive schools in England, Germany and the Neterlands. The pupils' views are described and compared, and an attempt is made to identify factors commonly involved in the construction of language-learning peer cultures. The notions of language choice and gender identity emerge as important themes and are discussed in detail, particularly with regard to the ways in which they articulate with social considerations