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The Role of Mindsets in Foreign Language Learning: A Person-in-context Perspective

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Language Learning, Discourse and Communication

Part of the book series: Second Language Learning and Teaching ((SLLT))

Abstract

The psychology-based construct of a mindset, that is, convictions a person holds with respect to permanence and immutability as opposed to flexibility and a growth potential of some trait or ability (Dweck 2006), will undoubtedly have an impact on their behavior and motivation. Language learners’ beliefs concerning the role and importance of a natural talent, work and affordances may translate into their extended effort, which in turn might lead to academic success, if they have a “growth” mindset, or abandonment and failure, if they are convinced that everything is fixed and immune to change (Mercer 2012). The present chapter reports the results of a small-scale qualitative study conducted among learners of English whose beliefs and opinions were analysed with a view to identifying factors which might contribute to the development of a positive mindset that would promote rather than impede language learning. Applying a person-in-context relational perspective (Ushioda 2011) not only allows a better understanding of learners’ cognitive and affective domains, but also reveals a complex network of social relations, past experiences, motives, intentions and goals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland

    Anna Mystkowska

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  1. Anna Mystkowska
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Correspondence to Anna Mystkowska .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Insitute of English, University of Łodz, Łódź, Lódzkie, Poland

    Weronika Szubko-Sitarek

  2. Insitute of English, University of Łodz, Łódź, Lódzkie, Poland

    Łukasz Salski

  3. Insitute of English, University of Łodz, Łódź, Lódzkie, Poland

    Piotr Stalmaszczyk

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Mystkowska, A. (2014). The Role of Mindsets in Foreign Language Learning: A Person-in-context Perspective. In: Szubko-Sitarek, W., Salski, Ł., Stalmaszczyk, P. (eds) Language Learning, Discourse and Communication. Second Language Learning and Teaching. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-00419-8_10

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