A Critical Examination of the Beliefs about Learning a Foreign Language at Primary School

thinks that learning French is ^,fun' but 'it is very difficult'. Vakeesan says 'me no
understand French', 'nothing' and he says that he does not understand the
teacher speaking in French. When asked if he could say something in French
Vakeesan says: 'yeah, hello'. When asked 'Comment t'appelles-tu?' Vakeesan
responds with silence. When prompted, he says that he does not understand
and that he does not know what he is being asked.

Nicholas

Nicholas says that he likes sports. When reminded that he was supposed to
talk about French he says that he likes 'doing about numbers and different
sports' and 'doing sheets'. He also says he likes listening to the tape, which he
thinks is funny, 'especially the music on it', and he likes writing some things
down. He says he likes reading if he 'can understand it' and he also likes
playing games. Nicholas thinks he is doing well in French although at first 'it
was a little bit hard'. Nicholas says 'as I got on in French I got more things right
and enjoyed it more because then I don't have to go back and do it again'.

Nicholas sounds positive about French but nevertheless appears somehow
hesitant when asked if he likes learning French.

David

David says he likes French because 'it's a challenge and a new task'. He likes
experimenting with new words and trying to pronounce them. He also likes the
'activities' and 'acting things out'. He says he likes speaking French because
'it's quite exciting as it is a new language'. David thinks that if 'you're reading it

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