English, Literature, and Modern Languages Faculty Publications

Fostering Integrative Motivation among Introductory-Level German Students Through a Language Partners Program

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2012

Journal Title

Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German

Volume

45

Issue

1

First Page

67

Last Page

73

Abstract

Many students enroll in language classes with the instrumentally motivated goal of satisfying a requirement. This article argues that instructors can influence students' motivation toward more integrative motivation by helping them make connections with the language community. The 'Language Partner' program established for a small German program has proven to be successful in moving the motivation of beginning German students in the direction of integrative motivation. Regularly-scheduled sessions with German speakers give students an opportunity to experience and manipulate the language in authentic contexts. The results of a survey are presented which point toward the success of the program and confirm the benefits for students.

Keywords

German instruction, Cedarville University, German language

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