Korean College Students’ Beliefs About Language Learning and Their Use of Learning Strategies

This study investigated the language beliefs and language learning strategies of Korean undergraduates in the United States and in Korea. Participants were 84 students and divided into two groups: 24 Korean ESL students at C. W. Post/Long Island University in America, and 60 Korean EFL students at Keimyung University in Korea. The ESL students majored in various fields such as business management, computer graphics, and fine arts. On the other hand, all EFL students majored in English literature. The ESL students’ length of stay in the United States ranged from 6 months to 3 years, whereas few EFL students had lived or traveled abroad. Both ESL and EFL students were administered two questionnaires: Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory (BALLI) and Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL). Results indicate that a high percentage of both ESL and EFL students consider learning the culture of English speakers important, and think that the best place to learn English is an English-speaking country. They also want to learn to speak English well, but their use of learning strategies is not supportive of their aim to become successful English speakers. Overall, ESL students use more effective functional practice strategies and social strategies than EFL students. Survey data are appended.