Heritage Language Learners' Perceptions of Taking Spanish Language Classes: Investigating Perceptions of Skill-Specific Anxieties, Self-Efficacies, and Ethnic Identity

• Other Authors: Torres, Kelly Moore (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Educational psychology
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-1273

This mixed-methods study investigated heritage language and foreign language learning students' skill-specific (i.e., speaking listening, reading, and writing) language learning anxieties and self-efficacies associated with Spanish language learning. Additionally, this study investigated the extent to which heritage language learners perceive Spanish as part of their ethnic identity and how their perceptions of ethnic identity impact their skill-specific anxieties and self-efficacies toward learning the Spanish language. A total of 315 participants completed the quantitative portion of this study and 11 participants volunteered to take part in a semi-structured interview session. Findings from this study revealed significant differences between heritage language learners' and foreign language learners' ratings of listening anxiety and writing anxiety and for all skill-specific language learning self-efficacies. Significant differences were also found among groups of heritage language learners in relation to their ratings of Hispanic heritage ethnic identity, skill-specific anxieties (expect for writing anxiety), and all skill-specific self-efficacies. Furthermore, heritage language learners' Spanish language learning experiences were impacted by their backgrounds (e.g., family lineage, generation of heritage language learner), formal educational experiences, levels of motivation, and their low levels of Spanish language abilities. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Spring Semester, 2011. === March 14, 2011. === Language Self-efficacy, Language Anxiety, Heritage Language Learners, Spanish learners === Includes bibliographical references. === Jeannine Turner, Professor Directing Dissertation; Brenda Cappuccio, University Representative; Alysia Roehrig, Committee Member; Beth Phillips, Committee Member; Rebecca Galeano, Committee Member.