EN
Resorting to the principles of an ecological approach in doing research (cf. D. Larsen Freeman 1997; C. Kramsch 2002), the sociocultural perspective in understanding language acquisition and the status of English in the present times as well as the recommendations of the Council of Europe regarding autonomization of the process of language teaching, I intend to accentuate problems pertaining to the conceptualization of success in language learning. A crucial element of my considerations is highlighting learner related factors (M. Smuk 2015), including attitudes towards learning a foreign language (W. Wilczyńska 2002) and aspects of critical language awareness (H. Lankiewicz 2015). A theoretical reflection is supported with research offering an insight into the complexity of the notion of success in language learning and its discursive construction conditioned equally by individual attitudes and dominant educational policy. Ultimately, it is demonstrated that personal perception of success is expressed by three narrative modes with the dominating voice expressed via economic language.