The Psychology of Linguaculture Learning

Abstract

This chapter explores the psychology of deep language and culture learning. Its fundamental premise is that both language and culture learning provoke strong psychological responses in learners. It is argued that this psychological intensity is recognized among language educators, but is not given a great deal of attention. Often, it is described in terms—such as learner anxiety—that imply psychological disfunction. A deep learning approach, however, sees these stresses as a natural part of the learning process. Learners are forced to deal with adaptive demands—the need to adjust to foreign elements of their environment. This is seen as an extension of the broad imperative of all living things to adjust to the demands of their environment through engagement (approach motivation), and/or resistance (avoidance motivation). This chapter argues that the notions of engagement and resistance provide insight into language learning motivation, and the stresses of intercultural adaptation. This dynamic is argued to be fundamentally similar for both language learning and adapting to a foreign cultural environment.