What Successful Language Learners do

According to Ehrman (1996:137), "Every imaginable feeling accompanies learning, especially learning that can be as closely related to who we are as language learning is.

There can be positive feelings such as joy, enthusiasm, satisfaction, warmth." She also mentions the less pleasant feelings that are associated with learning difficulties: frustration, anger, anxiety, lack of self-confidence.

That is why Oxford (1990:140) claims, "The affective side of the learner is probably one of the strongest influences on language learning success or failure...Negative feelings can stunt progress, even for the rare learner who fully understands all the technical aspects of how to learn a new language. On the other hand, positive emotions and attitudes can make language learning far more effective and enjoyable."
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The above studies referred to university students. But the same principle applies to young learners. The traditional approach of requiring children to sit quietly, listening to lectures that does not inerest them, does not motivate learning. On the other hand, highly interactive learning through games, activities, songs and informal chatting, in the foreign language, is much more effective.

Ehrman, M. (1996) Understanding second language learning difficulties. London: Sage Publications.
Oxford, R. & M. Nyikos (1989) Variables affecting choice of language learning strategies by university students. The Modern Language Journal, 73, 3, 291-300.