A Comparative Study of Foreign Language Learning Factors: Motivation, Attitudes, and Perceptions in Kosova and Slovenia

This comparative study explores the attitudes of Kosovan children towards foreign languages (FL) and compares the findings with a similar study conducted in Slovenia. The research aims to identify Kosovan children’s motivation for learning languages, the influence of significant others (teachers, parents, peers) on their language attitudes, and their perceptions of the languages they encounter. The focus is on FLs in general rather than a specific language. The research was conducted in various primary schools across Kosova, involving 472 pupils aged 8/9, matching the sample size of the Slovenian study. The methodology includes a survey with two parts: the first part employs the LANGattMini scale (Bratož et al., 2021) to examine FL learning motivation, FL attitudes, and the importance of significant others. The second part utilizes a qualitative approach to explore respondents’ perceptions of FLs. The results reveal that, like their Slovenian counterparts, Kosovan children generally hold positive attitudes towards FLs. However, there are nuanced differences in the interplay between attitudes, motivation, and the influence of significant others, reflecting the distinct cultural and educational contexts of Kosova.