A Study on the Perceptions of Korean EFL Learners on Four Native Varieties of English Accents

This paper explores how Korean EFL learners perceive the four native varieties of English, namely British English (BrE), American English (AmE), Australian English (AusE) and Canadian English (CE). An experimental study with 121 undergraduate students in Korea was conducted. Adopting the indirect approach, survey questions employed in the experiment include adjectives, phrases or verbs, corresponding to three dimensions of attitudes: (1) dynamism (awareness, confidence) (2) status (superiority/privileged) and (3) solidarity (preference, favor). The collected data were analyzed according to frequency count, and two different ANOVAs. Results indicate that Korean EFL learners are likely to have recognized that one privileged English accent exists (Status) and they prefer a particular native variety of English accents (Solidarity). They show a less agreeable or less confident attitude, however, in their self-reported English accent identification level (Dynamism). In the English accent identification task, participants demonstrate better performance in recognizing BrE and AmE better than others (Dynamism: Awareness, Preference). Further comparisons are delivered in two conditions: gender and English proficiency level. Findings call for the properties of various English accents to be included in the learning materials or stimuli for students. In this way what is taught and learned will correspond to the present WE context.