Attitudes towards languages and multilingual education: the impact of age, gender and multilingual instruction

Abstract

This study explores the cognitive, affective and behavioural attitudes of 373 students and 41 teachers towards multilingual education and the three principal languages of education (Catalan, Spanish and English) in primary, secondary and university educational contexts in the Valencian Community, considering the impact of three variables on attitudes: (i) multilingual instruction, (ii) age and (iii) gender. Several instruments and techniques were used to obtain quantitative and qualitative data, examined through the SPSS programme and thematic analysis. Results show differences in the attitudes of students and teachers, as well as in specific components of attitudes (cognition, affection and behaviour). Multilingual instruction through pedagogical translanguaging had a positive effect on students’ attitudes. In contrast, the age and gender variables only had a significant impact on the attitudes of students. Finally, this investigation proposes the AITEIA model and an action plan to promote favourable language attitudes and a more multilingual education system.