Robert C . Gardner , Motivation and Second Language Acquisition : The Socio - Educational

This is another very interesting publication by Robert C. Gardner analyzing the socio-educational model as well as the different scope and coverage of studies on the role of motivation in second or foreign language acquisition. In the Preface the author first of all discusses certain ambiguities and misunderstandings that tend to be associated with the nature of motivation for foreign language learning in the socio-educational model. The preface later features a brief description of the book’s chapters, including different aspects of the model, descriptions of the research forming the model, and also references to critical wordings. Chapter 1 – On the definition of motivation and its investigation – discusses the fundamental aspects of structural equation modeling with regard to second language learning motivation and related issues such as motivation for learning, commitment to education, social and cultural factors or emotional reactions. The notion of integrative motivation is considered the fundamental element of the socio-educational model, and in this chapter is described as an emotional construct that contains attitudes toward learning situations and motivation. The main aspects of motivation have to be evaluated, especially as regards contributed effort, willingness to learn a language and attitude toward learning it. In the final section of the first chapter the author analyzes the relations between several variables that have a high status in foreign language learning. The analysis of factors focuses on the main components of motivation. Chapter 2 – On the history of the socio-educational model – outlines the history of the socio-educational model through its three stages of development: “ancient” history (from 1945 to the early 1970s), early history (the 1970s) and SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Psychology of Language and Communication 2013, Vol. 17, No. 2