How ideas about speakers of French can influence perceptions of the language

What is it about?

This article discusses how college-age students think about the French language, relating it to their ideas of real or imagined speakers of French. In turn, this article argues that individuals' stereotypes and perceptions of speakers of a language can influence their motivation to learn that language.

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Why is it important?

This article is important because it brings together studies of French culture and studies of learning French as a second language in order to argue that certain stereotypes of speakers of French have the potential to result in decreased motivation to learn the language. Establishing this will allow us to consider new ways to motivate students to learn French, which is a part of the language competencies that are essential in our increasingly globalized world.