The use of the target language
Another aspect that can play a significant role in determining students’ attitudes in language classrooms is the use of the target language. It is no easy task to make students use the target language because with that comes reluctance and embracement from their part. This is mainly due to students’ self-images, unfamiliarity with the language, and maybe even gender issues. Some students may not even appreciate the teacher speaking in the target language (Phillips and Filmer-Sankey,1993: 93) let alone pushing them to speak. Vasseur and Grandcolas (1997) see that these attitudes are originally caused by communication difficulties. If there were not any difficulties for students to speak or understand, then why would they abstain from speaking or listening to their teacher? Here again the teacher’s role is crucial in having the ability to maintain a down-to-earth communication with students (Bartram, 2010:46). This shows the vital role the teacher has vis-à-vis students’ attitudes.