Do you like learning English?

English students do not come to their English lessons like blank sheets of paper. They already have views about and attitudes towards learning English. These attitudes are formed by the social environment in which they grow up and by the people around them. It is important to be aware of these attitudes as they can influence pupils desire and motivation to learn English.

Some of the students may have found English very difficult because of the way it was taught and a change of method could stimulate their interest. Others may have experienced an early lack of success which could have contributed to their negative feelings. Achieving some success could make all the difference to their feelings. We can also take into account other influences on pupils attitudes like parental views and peer group pressure.

Pupils attitudes change as they get older, perhaps in response to internal developments and different experiences in their environment.