Atteggiamenti linguistici e percezioni verso l’italiano L2 nelle scuole statali maltesi

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the perceptions and attitudes of Form one and Form four secondary school students, towards the acquisition of the Italian language. It looks into which factors (within and beyond schools) influence the learners’ predisposition and motivation towards learning this language. The research was carried out through the distribution of 300 questionnaires amongst 3 girls’ and 4 boys’ State Schools. Semi-structured interviews were also carried out with 12 students in order to acquire both a general and a detailed picture of their linguistic attitudes. This research demonstrates that the linguistic attitudes of the majority of the students towards Italian and its acquisition are highly positive especially due to continuous exposure to the language particularly through watching Italian television programmes and contact with Italians and their culture. Moreover, statistically significant differences emerge between the attitudes of Form one and Form four students, since the latter are generally less positive towards the language and its acquisition. On the other hand no significant differences emerged between genders.