Date of Award
1983
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Staczek, John J.
Abstract
This descriptive study examined students' reasons for studying Spanish, their integrative or instrumental orientation toward studying the language, their attitude toward Hispanics and preference for Spanish over English. It was conducted in Dade County, Florida, a community with a large Hispanic population. Respondents were Hispanic and non-Hispanic students of elementary and intermediate level Spanish at Miami-Dade Community College and Florida International University. A questionnaire was administered to a random cluster sample at both colleges. Findings indicated that the respondents choose to study Spanish because there are opportunities to use it. Integrative and instrumental orientation were neither well-defined, nor were they always clearly related to students' reasons for studying Spanish. Attitude toward Hispanics was more positive for Hispanics than for non-Hispanics. Most students had a moderately positive attitude toward Hispanics, but prefer English over Spanish in their daily life. Additional research to determine the correlation between student attitude, orientation and reasons for studying Spanish was recommended.
Extent
138 p.
Recommended Citation
BALDYGA, CAROLANN WALACH, "STUDENT GOALS FOR LEARNING SPANISH AND THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY" (1983). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 1980 - 1989. 270.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_3/270
Identifier
FADT11832
Comments
Thesis (Educat.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1983.|College of Education|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (Educat.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1983.