Rewarding foreign language learning: effects of the Swedish grade point average enhancement initiative on students' motivation to learn French

Abstract

In order to reinstate interest and motivation for learning foreign languages (FLs) other than English, the Swedish government has recently reformed the system for admission to higher education. Upper secondary students who continue with the FL learnt in secondary school are rewarded with extra credits that considerably enhance their grade point average (GPA). The purpose of this interview-based study is examine the impact of this initiative on six upper secondary students’ choice to continue with their FL, French, and on their motivation over one-and-a-half semesters of study. Using self-determination theory and the L2 Motivational Self System model as analytical lenses, the results reveal that for the three students whose motivation is rooted in intrinsic and/or self-determined extrinsic reasons for learning, the GPA-enhancing credits have little or no impact on either choice or effortful behaviour. For the other three students, none of whom would have chosen to continue with French but for the extra credits, the GPA enhancement is almost the sole source of motivation. However, because their reasons for studying French are not fully self-determined, the learning lacks personal meaning. These students see little longer-term value in their efforts, nor meaningful applications for the skills they have developed. Consequently, goals do not extend beyond achieving a passing grade. The effects on students’ willingness to use the FL in the future and on their FL-speaking/using self-concepts of making a fifth and sixth year of FL learning de facto compulsory are discussed, and the consequences of the initiative are critically appraised.

Notes

1 In cases where there were more than two students to choose from, I sought advice from the teacher as to which of the students he felt would be most comfortable being interviewed.

2 Emil, Jonna and Siri were interviewed on six separate occasions, while Cilla, Freja and Tim were interviewed five times. Two of the final interviews, with Cilla and Emil, took place in September 2012, as both students had been absent from class in June.