Contributing Factors to Chinese English Learners' Perceptions of Different English Accents
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2024
Abstract
This mixed-methods study investigated Chinese tertiary-level students' perceptions of different English accents existing in mainland China. Also examined were their perception changes and factors that contributed to their perception changes. An electronic questionnaire survey was employed to investigate the general trend and the possible correlations and differences in the participants' perceptions of different English accents. Follow-up interviews and diary studies were conducted to examine the participants' perception changes and the contributing factors. The main findings show that the participants were inclined to accord privileged status to Inner Circle English accents, whereas their perceptions of Outer Circle and Expanding Circle English accents tended to remain unfavourable. Their perceptions were found to be under the substantial influence of the ongoing exonormative English education, English language assessment system and employment requirements. We also found that the explicit instruction of the development of English and the frequent cross-cultural communication were likely to engender changes in the participants' language beliefs and perceptions of different English accent varieties.
Keywords
English accent, perception, English education, English language assessment system, English language teaching, cross-cultural communication
Divisions
FLL,aei
Publication Title
RELC Journal
Volume
55
Issue
2
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Publisher Location
1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 1SP, ENGLAND