Investigating Beliefs, Attitudes and Motivation toward English Language Learning among Thai and Chinese Undergraduate Students in Different Study Programs

Main Article Content

Lu-Geng Sun
Jirada Wudthayagorn

Abstract

This study investigated the beliefs, attitudes, and motivation of Thai and Chinese undergraduate students in relation to English language learning. Utilizing a mixed-method, explanatory sequential design, it aims to provide a better understanding of the three variables mentioned above. The quantitative data analysis showed disparities between the cohorts, with Chinese undergraduate students often displaying more robust orientations. However, the qualitative data analysis showed that both groups valued immersive learning experiences and technological integration. The research advocates for pedagogical frameworks in English education that align with overarching global paradigms while respecting individual cultural nuances. Such revelations are important for refining teaching practices and curricula to enhance genuine global literacy. It is also recommended that future research efforts diversify their cultural purview and give due consideration to variations in socio-economic contexts.

Article Details

How to Cite
Sun, L.-G., & Wudthayagorn, J. (2024). Investigating Beliefs, Attitudes and Motivation toward English Language Learning among Thai and Chinese Undergraduate Students in Different Study Programs. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 17(1), 734–758. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/article/view/270441
Section
Research Articles
Author Biographies

Lu-Geng Sun, English as an International Language Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University

An MA candidate in English as an International Language Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. His research interests include language assessment and evaluation, and business English. (ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7583-8457)

Jirada Wudthayagorn, Chulalongkorn University Language Institute

An associate professor, the Director of Chulalongkorn University Language Institute (CULI), and the President of the Asian Association of Language Assessment (AALA). She was a recipient of the Royal Thai Government Scholarship to pursue her Ph.D. studies in Applied Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh, USA. Her research interests lie in language assessment and evaluation, language policy, and quantitative research methods. (ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5992-1996)

References

Abidin, M. J. Z., Pour-Mohammadi, M., & Alzwari, H. (2012). EFL students' attitudes towards learning English language: The case of Libyan secondary school students. Asian Social Science, 8(2), 119-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v8n2p119

Artamonova, T. (2020). L2 learners' language attitudes and their assessment. Foreign Language Annals, 53(4), 807-826. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12498

Barcelos, A. M. F. (2003). Researching beliefs about SLA: A critical review. In P. Kalaja & A. M. F. Barcelos (Eds.), Beliefs about SLA: New Research Approaches (pp. 7-33). Springer https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4751-0_1

Bidari, S. (2021). Beliefs about language learning inventory: A brief review. International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation, 4(7), 221-224. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijllt.2021.4.7.22

Blyth, C. (2018). Immersive technologies and language learning. Foreign Language Annals, 51(1), 225-232. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12327

Busse, V. (2017). Plurilingualism in Europe: Exploring attitudes toward English and other European languages among adolescents in Bulgaria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. The Modern Language Journal, 101(3), 566-582. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12415

Büyükyazi, M. (2010). The beliefs of university foreign language students and their teachers about language learning. Sosyal Bilimler, 8(1), 169-182. https://www.ajindex.com/dosyalar/makale/acarindex-1423874628.pdf

Chirdchoo, O., & Wudthayagorn, J. (2001). Beliefs about learning EFL: A study of Thai female high school students. PASAA, 32, 82-92.

Choi, S. H. J., & Nieminen, T. A. (2013). Factors influencing the higher education of international students from Confucian East Asia. Higher Education Research & Development, 32(2), 161-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2012.673165

Cohen, J. (1989). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203771587

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approach (6th ed.). Sage.

Dewaele, J. M. (2019). The effect of classroom emotions, attitudes toward English, and teacher behavior on willingness to communicate among English foreign language learners. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 38(4), 523-535. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261927X1986499

Dörnyei, Z. (1994). Motivation and motivating in the foreign language classroom. The Modern Language Journal, 78(3), 273-284. https://doi.org/10.2307/330107

Gabillon, Z. (2007). Learner beliefs on L2 attitudes and motivation: An exploratory study. In K. Bernhardt & G. Davis (Eds.), Lingua et linguistica (pp. 68-90). Shakespeare Centre Press.

Gardner, R. C. (1985). Social psychology and second language learning: The role of attitudes and motivation. Edward Arnold.

Gardner, R. C., & Lambert, W. E. (1972). Attitudes and motivation in second-language learning. Newbury House Publishers.

Getie, A. S. (2020). Factors affecting the attitudes of students towards learning English as a foreign language. Cogent Education, 7(1), 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2020.1738184

Horwitz, E. K. (1987). Surveying student beliefs about language learning. In A. Wenden. & R. Rubin (Eds.), Learner strategies in language learning (pp. 119-129). Prentice Hall.

Horwitz, E. K. (1988). The beliefs about language learning of beginning university foreign language students. The Modern Language Journal, 72(3), 283-294. https://doi.org/10.2307/327506

Jampaklay, A., Penboon, B., & Lucktong, A. (2022). Internationalization of higher education in Thailand: Promises and reality. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 43(1), 183-193. https://doi.org/10.34044/j.kjss.2022.43.1.25

Kessler, G. (2018). Technology and the future of language teaching. Foreign Language Annals, 51(1), 205-218. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12318

Khan, S. S., & Takkac, M. (2021). Motivational factors for learning English as a second language acquisition in Canada. Higher Education Studies, 11(1), 160-170. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1288751

Larsen-Freeman, D., & Long, M. H. (1991). An introduction to second language Aaquisition research. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315835891

Lasagabaster, D. (2017). Language learning motivation and language attitudes in multilingual Spain from an international perspective. The Modern Language Journal, 101(3), 583-596. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12414

Lightbown, P. M., & Spada, N. (2021). How languages are learned (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Liu, K. P., Tai, S. J. D., & Liu, C. C. (2018). Enhancing language learning through creation: The effect of digital storytelling on student learning motivation and performance in a school English course. Educational Technology Research and Development, 66, 913-935. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-018-9592-z

Liu, M. (2023). Chinese university students’ beliefs about English language learning and self-efficacy. Theory and Practice of Second Language Acquisition, 1(9), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.31261/TAPSLA.12797

Nomnian, S. (2018). Chinese overseas students’ perspectives on benefits and limitations of English language learning and teaching between China and Thailand. Arab World English Journal, 9(2), 251-261. https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol9no2.17

Richardson, V. (1996). The role of attitudes and beliefs in learning to teach. In J. Sikula (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Teacher Education (pp. 102-119). Macmillan.

Selvi, A. F. (2019). Qualitative content analysis. In J. McKinley & H. Rose (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of research methods in applied linguistics (pp. 440-452). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780367824471

Tremblay, P. F., & Gardner, R. C. (1995). Expanding the motivation construct in language learning. The Modern Language Journal, 79(4), 505-518. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1995.tb05451.x

Tutal, Ö., & Yazar, T. (2022). Active learning promotes more positive attitudes towards the course: A meta‐analysis. Review of Education, 10(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3346

Vandergrift, L., & Tafaghodtari, M. H. (2010). Teaching L2 learners how to listen does make a difference: An empirical study. Language Learning, 60(2), 470-497. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9922.2009.00559.x

Weerasawainon, A. (2019). Chinese language learning strategies for Thai undergraduate students at higher education institution, Thailand. Scholar: Human Sciences, 11(1), 154-161. http://www.assumptionjournal.au.edu/index.php/Scholar/article/view/3943

White, C. (2008). Beliefs and good language learners. In C. Griffiths (Ed.), Lessons from good language learners (pp. 121-130). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511497667.012

Xu, W., Zhang, H., Sukjairungwattana, P., & Wang, T. (2022). The roles of motivation, anxiety and learning strategies in online Chinese learning among Thai learners of Chinese as a foreign language. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 962492.

Yang, H., & Wu, X. (2022). Language learning motivation and its role in learner complaint production. Sustainability, 14(17), 10770. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710770