Language Attitudes towards English in Local and Immigrant Students in Catalonia: Analysis of the Joint Effect of Language Competence and Region of Origin

This paper investigates the attitudes towards English of autochthonous and immigrant students in Catalonia (Spain) by focusing on their region of origin and their language competence. The research examines the individual and the joint effect of both variables in the development of language attitudes. A questionnaire was administered to 954 students of Secondary Education. Results reveal that region of origin and language competence are influential in the development of language attitudes, and there is no joint effect when both variables are included in the same model. Attitudes towards English are predominantly favourable with significant differences between local and immigrant participants. Our results may contribute to a better understanding of the interplay between language and intercultural communication and its implications for education.