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    Think tank: Fostering motivation in language education

Think tank: Fostering motivation in language education

Motivation represents a fundamental component of success and well-being in any area of life – driving action, enhancing performance, promoting learning and development, and contributing to overall satisfaction and resilience. The think tank entitled “Fostering motivation in language education: what role for decision-makers and educators?” will focus on the particular significance of motivation in relation to the world of language education. 

Overview

According to the 2023 edition of the Eurydice report for the European Union - Key data on teaching languages at school in Europe – there has been a decrease in the percentage of students in lower secondary education learning two or more foreign languages since the 2013 edition. Moreover, the findings are even less auspicious in the context of secondary vocational education. 

This is in stark contrast to the situation regarding the learning of English; more and more education systems are introducing English at an earlier age (in primary or even pre-primary) and currently almost all students in lower secondary are learning English.  

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Objectives

The think tank will aim to achieve the following objectives:

  • strengthen awareness of the importance of addressing motivational issues related to the learning of languages other than/in addition to English; 
  • take stock of research trends on motivation and highlight examples of interesting educational practice which are potentially transferable/adaptable to other countries and contexts;
  • identify key factors influencing motivation; 
  • publish inspiring examples and the Motivation Manifesto on the forthcoming dedicated website: www.ecml.at/motivation; consider the potential for further action at a European level in this area

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Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.
William Butler Yeats
Location: European Centre for Modern Languages, Graz, Austria (with certain sessions online)
Date: 4 December 2024