Abstract
Enrollment motivation in foreign languages is impacted by various factors, some relate to the individual’s experiences with the language, some related to his or her experiences with instruction (Gardner, 2010), some are integrative (Masgoret & Gardner, 2003; Oxford & Shearin 1994), and some are instrumental (Hudson, 2000). Self-efficacy theories and value-expectancy theories also provide a framework to understand how students rationalize choices and make their enrollment decisions (Oxford & Shearin, 1994). Learning languages enhances collaboration in an increasingly interconnected world (Şahin, 2011). The most effective ways, however, for an institution to respond to the need for an international curriculum and to support foreign language study, have created conceptual divides and are still greatly debated (Green 2012). This study explored the enrollment orientations of undergraduate students matriculated in first and second semester language courses at a public university in Northern California. This paper contributes to the debate on whether or not students are interested in a foreign language component to their academics, how the institution can best support foreign language instruction, and how the institution can design and implement initiatives that will further its graduates’ applicable global skills. Data were collected from 200 student participants using a digital questionnaire. All student participants were matriculated in first and second semester foreign language courses. Data were also collected from faculty and staff participants, using semi-structured interviews. The patterns found in the data revealed that students’ motivation associated with foreign language enrollment are affected significantly by the need to fulfill academic requirements, particularly the foreign language graduation requirement. Integrative factors, such as a personal interest in the language or culture, and instrumental drivers, such as attaining a job promotion, were also at play. Staff and faculty perceived the need to fulfill the foreign language graduation requirement as one of the strongest motivational factors among students. Advisors underscored the need for initiatives outside the language classrooms, such as study abroad and connecting with the international students already on campus, as means to nurture the students’ interest in learning languages and to boost enrollment in foreign language courses.