Perceptions of native and non-native English varieties by Chinese EFL learners: an investigation of the effects of study abroad
<p>This study investigated Chinese EFL learners’ perceptions of different varieties of English, and compared the perceptions of learners with and without experience of Study Abroad (SA) in Anglophone countries. A total of ninety Chinese university students majoring in language studies particip...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English Chinese |
| Published: |
2021
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| Summary: | <p>This study investigated Chinese EFL learners’ perceptions of different
varieties of English, and compared the perceptions of learners with and
without experience of Study Abroad (SA) in Anglophone countries. A total
of ninety Chinese university students majoring in language studies
participated in an online survey. They listened to seven English varieties
(RP, Glaswegian, Liverpudlian, Indian, Italian, Chinese and Malaysian) and
evaluated these using four criteria (comprehensibility, social-attractiveness,
foreign-accentedness and variety recognition) on a series of six-point Likert
scales and two open-ended questions. According to statistical analysis, all
participants regarded the standard variety (RP) and the local variety
(Chinese) highly in terms of comprehensibility and social-attractiveness.
Participants were generally sensitive towards the native and non-native
accentedness. With regard to variety recognition, participants consistently
and accurately identified the standard variety and the local Chinese variety.
Participants were less certain about the origin of the regional UK varieties
and the international varieties. When adding in the factor of different
learning contexts (at home and Study Abroad), the results revealed that
study abroad in the UK has a positive influence on participants’ perceptions
of international and regional UK varieties. Listeners with study abroad
experience perceived Italian-accented speech as more comprehensible and
more attractive and they were more likely to accurately identify the origin of
regional UK varieties. The findings imply that study abroad may have value
in helping learners to understand and accept non-standard or unfamiliar
varieties of English. Based on participants’ responses, there were highly
positive attitudes towards linguistic diversity and willingness to learn
nonstandard varieties, suggesting a demand for the inclusion of nonstandard
varieties in the classroom.</p> |
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