Primary School Students’ Views Toward Teaching English in English (TEE) in Korea and Japan

• Published in: 영어어문교육, 19(3) pp. 335 - 352
• Main Author: 임수연
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한국영어어문교육학회 01.10.2013
• Subjects: 영어와문학
• ISSN: 1226-2889

The current study was conducted to investigate primary school students’ views toward teaching English in English (TEE) and factors affecting their views. A total of 408 primary school students (264 Koreans and 144 Japanese) participated in a survey consisting of three sections: items on background information, items on anxiety in using English in English class, and items on views toward TEE. The data analysis displays that primary school students in these two countries hold positive views toward TEE. Korean students tend to have more positive views toward TEE than their Japanese counterparts. This difference seems to be related to the fact that they are situated in different English learning contexts: Korean students have more chances of being exposed to English than their Japanese counterparts. Students’ views were found to differ significantly according to variables such as participation in private lessons, experience of studying abroad, hours of studying, and students’ perceived level of English. Among these variables, their perceived level of English was identified as the best predictor of their views toward TEE. Level of anxiety in using English does not seem to be strongly related to students’ views on using English in English class. The pedagogical implications are discussed with reference to the findings KCI Citation Count: 4