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The relations between various measures of attitudes toward self, the native language group, the target language group, reasons for learning English as a second language, reasons for traveling to the U.S. and attained proficiency in ESL were investigated. Subjects were Chinese speaking foreign students primarily studying at the graduate level in the U.S. It was hypothesized that positive attitudes, especially positive attitudes toward the target language group, would correspond to higher attainment in the target language, and similarly negative attitudes, especially toward the target language group would correspond to lower attainment in the target language. Results of factor analysis of the various attitude scales included in a questionnaire revealed meaningful clusters of attitudinal variables which were related to scores on an English proficiency test (based on the cloze procedure) via a multiple regression analysis. In general, attitudes toward self and the native language group—as well as attitudes toward the target language group—were positively correlated with attained proficiency in ESL. Indirect attitude scales of the type used earlier by Spolsky seemed to produce more meaningful variance than direct attitude questions which fit into the Lambert‐Gardner paradigm of attitude research. However, the distinction between integrative and instrumental motives seemed helpful in explaining certain patterns in the data. Generally, learners who were apparently more integratively motivated performed better than those who were less integratively motivated. The relation between attained proficiency and attitudes toward the target language group, however, seemed more complex than the relations between attained proficiency and attitudes toward self, and towards the native language group. The relation between reasons for studying ESL or traveling to the U.S. and attained proficiency was contrary to previous predictions. For instance, there was a significant negative correlation between desire to stay in the U.S. permanently and attained ESL proficiency.