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

because it's fun but he also says he finds it hard to pronounce new words. He
says he finds the tape recorder easy but does not like writing because 'your
hand gets tired'. He says he only puts his hand up when he is sure about the
answer but does not mind so much if he makes a mistake. Kunigoshi says he
likes French especially the 'drinks' and he is looking forward to next year.

Daniel

Daniel starts the interview by saying that he likes rounders, playing his Nintendo
and shot guns. He talks about playing a computer game called 'Doom' which,
as far as the writer knows, is banned from sale to children in Germany. When
reminded that he is supposed to talk about the French lessons Daniel says that
he likes learning new words and colouring in and games but adds that he does
not like 'tasting new foods'. (The tasting of foods did not happen in French
lessons!). Daniel says he likes the tape recorder. He says he only puts his
hand up if he is sure about an answer. He does not mind making mistakes but
does not like being laughed at because 'it's embarrassing'. He says he likes
working in groups or with a partner because sometimes 'I need a little help'.

Daniel has a strong English accent when 'trying to speak French'.

Emily

Emily says that she likes Take That' and the 'Spice Girls' and that her best
friend is called Jamila. When Emily is reminded that she is meant to talk about
learning French she says that she enjoys French and that learning it is fun. She
says that she finds some parts easy, such as listening to the tape and some

289

<<   286   287   288   289   290   291   292   >>

More intriguing information