ATTITUDE OF YOUNG STUDENTS TOWARDS ACQUISITION/LEARNING OF LS1, LS2 FROM THE FIRST OR THE SECOND GRADE

Abstract

The paper is the result of an empirical research that used neurophysiologic characteristics of children aged 4 to 11 in order to draw numerous answers regarding the specificity of learning/adoption of L2 i.e. LS at an early age. The operational method of a case study was applied, while the technique of a questionnaire was applied when controlling one of the hypotheses, the results of which are presented in the paper. Sixty pupils of the 1st and 2nd grade from the PS “Jovan Dučić” in New Belgrade were involved. They were offered to learn Italian, along with the English language. European linguistic policy promotes learning two foreign languages from early childhood, which is not the case in practice i.e. in school systems. Either due to abundant curriculum or economic reasons, pupils are offered only one foreign language in almost all European countries. Benefits of learning more than one LS are uncontested, both due to the policy of plurilingualism and open relations towards other nations, as well as better cognitive development of a child’s personality. Through the results of our research, we shall show in our paper that such process is not only desirable but also feasible; pupils gladly adopt a new foreign language (in our case a second foreign language), but they also develop a positive attitude both towards the language and the accompanying culture, as well as the desire to continue learning. They become more open towards new cultures by learning foreign languages, building a cosmopolitan spirit with differences.