Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions that second language students have of those who speak the language that these students are trying to acquire and examines how these perceptions relate to students' progress in acquiring the target language. The study is based on the psychological theory of the need to belong, i.e. belongingness as well as on the concept of integrative motivation. This study is a qualitative investigation that uses the Repertory Grid Technique and Personal Construct Theory in order to elicit subject perceptions and their constructs. Membership checking was carried out with nine of the originally interviewed 22 subjects in order to obtain more insight into the subjects' perceptions of themselves, their progress, and, most importantly, their perceptions of the target language speakers. One of the important findings in this study is the establishment of what elements second language students use to construct views of target language speakers.

Extent

xi, 196 p. : ill. (some col.).

Comments

by Robb Kvasnak.|Vita.|Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.|Includes bibliography.|Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, FL : 2007 Mode of access: World Wide Web.|by Robb Kvasnak.

Identifier

FADT47403

Format

pdf

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