LEARNING GERMAN IN EASTERN AND WESTERN EUROPE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRENDS AND MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS

Abstract

The article provides a comparative analysis of the peculiarities of learning the German language in Eastern and Western European countries and identifies the main motivational factors influencing the popularity of German in the contemporary European educational space. The significance of the German language as an important instrument of academic mobility, professional integration, and intercultural communication is substantiated. It is established that in Western European countries motivation to learn the German language is formed under conditions of a high level of multilingualism and the widespread use of English as the primary means of international communication. At the same time, cultural aspect plays an important role in promoting the German language, in particular the interest in German-language literature, philosophy, science, art, and intercultural communication.. In contrast, in Eastern European countries the study of German has a more pronounced pragmatic orientation and is primarily associated with labor migration, professional realization, and access to educational opportunities in German-speaking countries.

The article analyzes contemporary scientific approaches to understanding motivation in foreign language learning, including the concepts of instrumental and integrative motivation, as well as modern dynamic models of motivation presented in the works of Z. Dörnyei, R. Gardner, E. Ushioda, and other scholars. It is determined that motivation to learn German is a multidimensional phenomenon formed through the interaction of educational, economic, cultural, and social factors. Special attention is paid to the role of academic mobility, digitalization of education, and intercultural interaction in shaping sustainable motivation for learning the German language.

It is concluded that the popularity of the German language in modern Europe is determined not only by the economic and educational role of Germany, but also by general trends in the development of multilingualism and international integration.