Motivation for learning Chinese compared to European languages: an exploration in English Secondary schools

Journal article

There is little published research on school-aged learners of Mandarin Chinese in anglophone contexts. This article explores English secondary school pupils' motivation for learning Chinese compared to European languages. The research questions were: (1) What is the strength and nature of pupils' self-reported motivation for learning languages? (2) How does pupils' motivation for learning Chinese compare with their motivation for learning European languages? Focus groups were conducted with 43 pupils (aged 11–12) in their first year at five state-funded secondary schools. In all languages, culture and a desire to connect with speakers were strong motivators; classroom experiences were also key, underlining teachers' central role. Motivation for Chinese was frequently linked to novelty, difference, challenge, and enjoyment of the character-based writing system. The article highlights practical classroom implications, particularly the need for teachers to consider the motivational impact of pedagogical decisions relating to curriculum content, task design, and classroom organization.

Authors: Woore, R; Molway, L; Savory, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: Foreign Language Annals
• Publication date: 2026-01-28
• Acceptance date: 2025-10-30
• DOI: 10.1111/flan.70050
• EISSN: 1944-9720
• ISSN: 0015-718X
• Language: English
• Keywords: middle school/junior high; Chinese (Mandarin); foreign/second language learning/acquisition; high school; motivation