SOCIAL FACTORS IN SECOND LANGUAGE ATTRITION1

Abstract

A retrospective design was used to study the effects of attitudes, motivation and reported language use on second language attrition. Students who had been registered in an intensive six‐week course in French in the province of Quebec were mailed questionnaires which asked them to rate their perceived second language skills upon completion of the course as well as their present skill levels (six months later). Attitudinal/motivational variables were also assessed, along with measures of second language use during the six month period. Results, based on a sample of 79 students, indicated attrition on the medium‐level language skills of speaking and understanding. No attrition was evidenced for reading skills. A factor analysis revealed that subjects residing in areas where French was available spent more time using their second language skills. Analyses of variance demonstrated a loss of speaking and understanding skills as a function of attitudes as students with less favourable attitudes and motivation evidenced significant language loss on these skills. In terms of language use, a significant loss was found in speaking skills for the low use group but not the high use group. Contrary to expectations, language use was found to be independent of attitudes. Issues are raised for researchers interested in the unexplored area of second language attrition.