Understanding students’ attitudes towards the study of languages to shape future directions: A case study at Flinders University

Eric Bouvet; Lisa Harper Campbell; Javier Diaz; Christèle Maizonniaux; Thomas Power; Mirella Wyra

doi:10.4324/9781003742821-12

Understanding students’ attitudes towards the study of languages to shape future directions: A case study at Flinders University

Eric Bouvet
, Lisa Harper Campbell
, Javier Diaz
, Christèle Maizonniaux
, Thomas Power
, Mirella Wyra

College of Education, Psychology and Social Work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter examines the attitudes of higher education students towards the study of languages at Flinders University (Adelaide, Australia), presenting a case study situated in an educational context affected by a long-term decline in enrolments in university language programmes. Through anonymous online surveys and focus groups with both language and non-language students, data on the motivations to commence or continue with language education post−high school identifies a spectrum of choice and accessibility. Providing insights into the personal, societal, and administrative enablers and deterrents affecting decisions to study or not to study a language at university, this chapter outlines important perspectives on language learning and teaching practices to inform the development of language education strategies at the local and national levels.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	New Directions and Challenges in Languages and Cultures in Australia
Subtitle of host publication	Looking Back, Moving Forward
Editors	Giuseppe D’Orazzi, John Hajek, Kerry Mullan, Jun Ohashi
Place of Publication	Oxon, UK
Publisher	Taylor and Francis - Balkema
Chapter	8
Pages	165-186
Number of pages	22
ISBN (Electronic)	9781040855225, 9781003742821
ISBN (Print)	9781041246299, 9781041246305
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003742821-12
Publication status	Published - 2026

Publication series

Name	Routledge Studies in Sociolinguistics
Publisher	Routledge - Taylor and Francis Group

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education

Keywords

higher education
university language programmes
language learning
teaching practices
language education strategies

Access to Document

10.4324/9781003742821-12Licence: In Copyright

Cite this

Bouvet, E., Campbell, L. H., Diaz, J., Maizonniaux, C., Power, T., & Wyra, M. (2026). Understanding students’ attitudes towards the study of languages to shape future directions: A case study at Flinders University. In G. D’Orazzi, J. Hajek, K. Mullan, & J. Ohashi (Eds.), New Directions and Challenges in Languages and Cultures in Australia: Looking Back, Moving Forward (pp. 165-186). (Routledge Studies in Sociolinguistics). Taylor and Francis - Balkema. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003742821-12

Bouvet, Eric ; Campbell, Lisa Harper ; Diaz, Javier et al. / Understanding students’ attitudes towards the study of languages to shape future directions : A case study at Flinders University. New Directions and Challenges in Languages and Cultures in Australia: Looking Back, Moving Forward. editor / Giuseppe D’Orazzi ; John Hajek ; Kerry Mullan ; Jun Ohashi. Oxon, UK : Taylor and Francis - Balkema, 2026. pp. 165-186 (Routledge Studies in Sociolinguistics).

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abstract = "This chapter examines the attitudes of higher education students towards the study of languages at Flinders University (Adelaide, Australia), presenting a case study situated in an educational context affected by a long-term decline in enrolments in university language programmes. Through anonymous online surveys and focus groups with both language and non-language students, data on the motivations to commence or continue with language education post−high school identifies a spectrum of choice and accessibility. Providing insights into the personal, societal, and administrative enablers and deterrents affecting decisions to study or not to study a language at university, this chapter outlines important perspectives on language learning and teaching practices to inform the development of language education strategies at the local and national levels.",

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Bouvet, E, Campbell, LH, Diaz, J, Maizonniaux, C, Power, T & Wyra, M 2026, Understanding students’ attitudes towards the study of languages to shape future directions: A case study at Flinders University. in G D’Orazzi, J Hajek, K Mullan & J Ohashi (eds), New Directions and Challenges in Languages and Cultures in Australia: Looking Back, Moving Forward. Routledge Studies in Sociolinguistics, Taylor and Francis - Balkema, Oxon, UK, pp. 165-186. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003742821-12

Understanding students’ attitudes towards the study of languages to shape future directions: A case study at Flinders University. / Bouvet, Eric; Campbell, Lisa Harper; Diaz, Javier et al.
New Directions and Challenges in Languages and Cultures in Australia: Looking Back, Moving Forward. ed. / Giuseppe D’Orazzi; John Hajek; Kerry Mullan; Jun Ohashi. Oxon, UK: Taylor and Francis - Balkema, 2026. p. 165-186 (Routledge Studies in Sociolinguistics).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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AB - This chapter examines the attitudes of higher education students towards the study of languages at Flinders University (Adelaide, Australia), presenting a case study situated in an educational context affected by a long-term decline in enrolments in university language programmes. Through anonymous online surveys and focus groups with both language and non-language students, data on the motivations to commence or continue with language education post−high school identifies a spectrum of choice and accessibility. Providing insights into the personal, societal, and administrative enablers and deterrents affecting decisions to study or not to study a language at university, this chapter outlines important perspectives on language learning and teaching practices to inform the development of language education strategies at the local and national levels.

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Bouvet E, Campbell LH, Diaz J, Maizonniaux C, Power T, Wyra M. Understanding students’ attitudes towards the study of languages to shape future directions: A case study at Flinders University. In D’Orazzi G, Hajek J, Mullan K, Ohashi J, editors, New Directions and Challenges in Languages and Cultures in Australia: Looking Back, Moving Forward. Oxon, UK: Taylor and Francis - Balkema. 2026. p. 165-186. (Routledge Studies in Sociolinguistics). doi: 10.4324/9781003742821-12

Understanding students’ attitudes towards the study of languages to shape future directions: A case study at Flinders University

Abstract

Publication series

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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