Self-Esteem and Learning a Foreign Language: A Study with French Learners Cover Image

L’estime De Soi Et L’apprentissage D’une Langue Etrangere : Une Etude Avec Des Apprenants De Fle
Self-Esteem and Learning a Foreign Language: A Study with French Learners

Author(s): Veda Aslim-Yetiş, Halil Elibol
Subject(s): Foreign languages learning, Language acquisition, Cognitive Psychology, Psychology of Self
Published by: Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü
Keywords: Self-esteem; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; language learning; French as a foreign language;

Summary/Abstract: If one’s attitude towards oneself is positive, one’s self-esteem described as high; if negative, self-esteem is considered low. In the language learning, low self-esteem affects the process negatively because students with low self-esteem do not take the necessary risks to acquire communication ability. Students possessing high self-esteem are more open to learning and more successful in language learning. The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between the level of self-esteem and language learning through a sample of 91 students learning French as a foreign language. Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale and French Placement Test were implemented at the beginning of the term to determine language and self-esteem levels of students and the same test was applied again at the end of the term to analyze whether students having high self-esteem became more successful. According to the results, a majority of the students have high self-esteem and a minority of the student, low self-esteem. A significant difference among students with low, normal, high self-esteem and their language levels is seen. It is also observed that there is a significant difference between the scores of the placement tests and that the students who improved their language levels are the ones with high self-esteem levels.

  • Issue Year: 15/2017
  • Issue No: 01
  • Page Range: 331-348
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: French
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