ERIC Number: EJ1088301
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 30
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0125-2488
EISSN: N/A
Beliefs about Language Learning of Thai Upper Secondary School Students in Different Educational Contexts
Apairach, Sirawit; Vibulphol, Jutarat
PASAA: Journal of Language Teaching and Learning in Thailand, v50 p65-94 Jul-Dec 2015
Beliefs about language learning are considered key for success in language learning. These beliefs can be shaped by contextual factors (Amuzie & Winke, 2009; Dole & Sinatra, 1994; Negueruela-Azarola, 2011). This paper explores the beliefs about language learning of Thai secondary school students in two educational contexts: in the so-called English programs and in the regular Thai public programs. Responses were gathered from 458 twelfth-grade students in six schools that offered both programs, and the data were collected using an adapted Thai version of BALLI 2.0 (Horwitz, 2012). The findings revealed differences in beliefs among students in the English program and those in the regular program. The English program students who have more exposure to English were found to have more facilitative beliefs about language learning than those in the regular program who have limited exposure to English. A higher number of English program students showed beliefs that are supportive of autonomous learning such as seeing the importance of practicing in various means and learning from various resources. They also believed that they could find online learning resources for self-practice. They tended to focus on the mastery of speaking skills because they believed it could lead to career opportunities. They wanted to be good at speaking English and believed that they would do very well. The best place to learn English was believed to be in an ESL environment.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Student Attitudes, English (Second Language), Independent Study, Foreign Countries, Secondary School Students, Grade 12, Attitude Measures, Teaching Methods, Oral Language, Employment Opportunities, Electronic Learning
Chulalongkorn University Language Institute. Prem Purachatra Building, Chulalongkom University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Tel: +66-2-218-6092; Fax: +66-2-218-6104; e-mail: pasaa.editor@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.culi.chula.ac.th/Publicationsonline/home_p1.php
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; Grade 12; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Thailand
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A