The impact of psychological aspects in language acquisition

Abstract

This paper aims to look at the psychological aspects which can influence positively or negatively the learner during the linguistic acquisition. I have decided to focus on this thematic because of a personal interest in all those psychological and emotional factors which can affect the performance of the student during the acquisition of a language. In the first part of the dissertation there is a general overview on the theoretical bases of the psychological factors implied in the learning context. Firstly, the paper will focus on the learner, who is the main character of the thesis, within his or her emotions. In the first chapters the paper will deal on the neurological and psychological aspects of the brain of the learner, such as the processes and the functioning of acquisition and the memory, which is a fundamental factor when we are dealing with first the learning, and then the acquisition of a foreign language. The second chapter will deal on the literature connected to the topic and then on some important factors which can affect acquisition. The main literature will focus on the theories of Krashen, within his affective filter, and then on specific features such as: the impact of pleasure, will and necessity in acquisition, the impact of anxiety, the impact of motivation and the role of the teacher as a coach ( and support) in class. In the second part of the paper it will be given space to a survey (questionnaire), which aimed at high school students and their experience in learning. The aim of this paper is to compare the theories which can be found in the first part of the dissertation with the results which can be read from the questionnaires. The final part of the dissertation will be dedicated to the analysis of the questionnaires, focusing deeply on the questions and comparing the outcomes to the expected results. The paper will end with some final considerations on the main topic and some suggestions for the creation of a better class environment so as to allow the student a good atmosphere to boost his capacity of acquisition.