Attitude towards English language learning and career success a study of colleges of education in the western north region of Ghana

Abstract

Attitude is one of the success factors in language learning. It includes students‟ feelings, beliefs, and behaviour tendencies. This study examined the attitude of students of the colleges of education in the Western North Region towards English language learning and its effect on their career success. Using a convergent parallel mixed methods design, simple random and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select 920 students and tutors. Data were gathered by means of questionnaire, interview and focus group interview, and analyzed using statistical and thematic means. In line with the Socio-educational Model (Gardner & MacIntyre, 1992), results suggest that although students have positive attitude towards the teaching of the English language, they have negative attitude regarding the learning of the English language. Motivation, aptitude and anxiety are seen to be important factors in learning the English language. Again, students believe that there is a link between their attitude towards learning English and their career since English language helps them to excel in their career path. This study confirms the assertion that attitudes toward the English language have a great impact on the career success of trainee teachers. It is therefore suggested that in designing or reviewing subsequent English syllabus for the college of education, curriculum developers might include topics on how to develop a positive attitude towards the learning of the English language as well as its importance for the career success.