The role of teaching environments in the learning of foreign languages: an investigation at Ca Foscari University

Abstract

Learning environments are a topic that is usually underestimated when dealing with factors that influence learning. Why so? People tend to think that learning depends on many other variables and ignore the real importance of the spaces in which learning takes place. The aim of this study is to bring to light the relevance of all those classrooms’ elements that affect students’ performance and motivation. The research section of the present work is based on a questionnaire survey among students of foreign languages at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice. The questionnaire was designed to discover the degree of importance of classrooms’ elements from the students' point of view. All the answers and opinions collected offer an interesting starting point for future practices, in order to go beyond the potential problems and difficulties connected to learning environments. Concretely, the results of the survey lead to the design of spaces that enhance students’ learning abilities and respect their needs, contributing to the creation of learners’ best learning experience.