Motivation in language learning in Bilingual Programs - from Theory to Practice

Abstract

The challenges of education in the digital age are often discussed around the world. The speed of technological advances requires in-depth studies and effective action around new tools to improve learning. This reveals the challenge of incorporating technology in the school environment and the educational curriculum. One of the advantages of the program to be discussed is the possibility of a time and space barrier break. In São Paulo, the Virtual School has become an important tool for the future, the use of resources of their own self-learning process allows students the use of technology and media resources that constitute motivators to learn a new language. Such interfaces are increasingly used in formal education and training processes. It is in such a context that this research is justified; since the digital age gives us tools for any imaginable activity, how about we should actually incorporate these tools in education and human development. In Brazil, this idea exists only on the papers of endless educational proposals based on different educational theories, but in practice, none of this actually happens. It is not only the educational manager who seeks new outlets, but also the teacher, who is the one that has direct contact with their students and knows better than anyone what really works in the classroom. The proposal aims to introduce an easy and simple way to explore the influence of the student motivation and cognitive abilities in relation to remembering the language, learning new specific vocabulary, and the process through which he/she learned L1 and was learning L2. The knowledge and the understanding of the motivations and learning style of each student is of the utmost importance, including past learning experiences, and their learning experience with L1 and L2. Little focus is often given to the teaching of other languages. There is a disconnect between what is students want and what is provided by schools in Brazil. This study highlights the different ways students and learners of second languages can be motivated to learn. A case study research was employed on a group of 20 students in Sao Paulo in the eighth and ninth classes.