Some psychological aspects of learning a foreign language as an adult (PDF)

Inhaltsangabe:Abstract:
Chapter I presents the problem and its importance and defines the terms used.
Chapter II is an overview of some psychological aspects of learning a foreign language as an adult dealt with in books, periodicals, and newspaper articles from seven countries. Subtitles include emotional problems when learning a foreign language, alleviating such problems, social attitudes, and language and personality.
Chapter III informs about the structure of the Volkshochschule system in Germany, The questionnaire (in English and German) is introduced including reasons for the choice of questions.
Chapter IV interprets and discusses the findings of the questionnaire.
Chapter V is a summary of the entire study, conclusions, and recommendations for the Volkshochschule and foreign language teachers who work with adults.
An appendix and a bibliography provide appropriate reference to the remainder of the study. The appendix contains the English and German versions of the questionnaire. The bibliography refers to books, periodicals, and newspaper articles read by the researcher in preparing this study.

Inhaltsverzeichnis:Table of Contents:
I.THE PROBLEM AND DEFINITION OF TERMS1
The Problem1
Statement of the Problem1
Purpose of the Study2
Need for the Study2
Delimitations of the Study5
Theoretical Framework6
Statement of the Procedure6
Basic Assumptions6
Definition of Terms6
Organization of the Study8
II.REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE10
The Adult Learner11
Emotional Problems When Learning a Foreign Language12
Alleviating Such Problems15
Social Attitudes17
Language and Personality18
Summary21
III.DETAILS OF THE STUDY: DEVELOPMENT OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE22
The Volkshochschule22
Presentation of the Questionnaire23
The Participants and their Reactions24
Reasons for the Choice of Questions26
Summary32
IV.RESULTS OF THE STUDY33
Discussion of the Results34
Summary43
V.SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS45
Summary of the Study45
Conclusions of the Study50
Recommendations52
Recommendations for the Volkshochschule52
Recommendations for the Foreign Language Teacher52
APPENDIX55
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY62