HOW LANGUAGE VARIETY AND MOTIVATION IMPACT LANGUAGE ACQUISITION IN ADULT HERITAGE LEARNERS OF PORTUGUESE

Authors

  • Giuseppe Formato Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejfl.v0i0.1800

Keywords:

heritage learners, L2 motivational self-system, motivation, acquisition theory, Portuguese

Abstract

Portuguese is a language rich in varieties. Some adult heritage learners of Portuguese acquire it quickly and easily, while others students display negative attitudes towards the instructor’s dialect and withdraw from classes altogether, despite both groups receiving the same linguistic input. The dearth of research on this topic begged the research question, How does linguistic variety affect motivation in adult heritage learners of Portuguese? This study used semistructured interviews with 20 adult heritage learners to provide insight into the question, and aspects of adult learning, the L2 motivational self-system, and L2 acquisition theory as theoretical frameworks. Overlapping themes of identity, ideal selves, and language attitudes related to motivation towards Portuguese varieties, as well as their profound influence on a heritage learner’s motivation and acquisition success, emerged. These results suggest placing greater importance on consideration of linguistic variety in the classroom when assessing adult heritage learners.

 

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Author Biography

  • Giuseppe Formato, Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

    Formato, Giuseppe. PhD (2018) in Educational Studies with a concentration in Adult Learning and Development from Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. MA (2013) in Applied Linguistics with a specialization in Foreign Language Pedagogy and BA (2011) in Italian Studies from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He is currently an adjunct professor at Lesley University where he teaches courses in Italian, Portuguese, and Cinema; an invited guest lecturer to Emmanuel College in Arts and Social Justice; and a Camões Fellow at the Camões Institute in Boston. His research interests include language acquisition, critical pedagogy, linguistic variation, and heritage speakers.

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Published

2018-07-15

Issue

Vol 3, No 3 (2018)

Section

Articles

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