Studies on language attitudes have been conducted since the 1960s in various formats with native and non-native speakers as well as standard and non-standard English as a native language (ENL), English as a second language (ESL) and English as a foreign language (EFL) varieties. This paper aims to determine Austrian EFL learners’ attitudes towards selected British English native standard and non-standard varieties and whether they support previous findings in the field. In order to do so, a questionnaire containing 20 items was distributed online via social media to Austrian student teachers (N=28).
Table of Contents
- Conscious awareness of social stereotypes towards selected varieties of British English among Austrian EFL learners
- Literature review
- Previous studies on language attitudes
- The study
- Sample
- Method
- Results
- General attitudes towards the varieties from the present study
- Correlative analysis
- Discussion
- Implications
- Limitations
- Conclusion and Prospects
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper investigates Austrian EFL learners' attitudes towards various British English accents, comparing them to existing literature on language attitudes. The study aims to determine if Austrian learners' attitudes align with previous findings and to explore whether specific non-standard accents are viewed more favorably than Received Pronunciation (RP).
- Attitudes of Austrian EFL learners towards British English accents.
- Comparison of attitudes towards standard and non-standard British English varieties.
- The role of accent identification in shaping attitudes.
- The influence of social stereotypes on perceptions of different accents.
- Analysis of the relationship between familiarity and positive evaluation of accents.
Chapter Summaries
1. Conscious awareness of social stereotypes towards selected varieties of British English among Austrian EFL learners: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the study, defining key terms like language attitudes and social stereotypes. It introduces Kachru's three circles model of English and outlines the study's aim to analyze attitudes towards British English accents from an EFL perspective. The chapter details the methodology—a questionnaire distributed to Austrian student teachers—and provides a roadmap for the subsequent sections.
2. Literature review: This chapter reviews previous research on language attitudes, starting with early studies like Lambert et al. (1960) which utilized the matched-guise technique to investigate attitudes towards Canadian English and French. It examines how these early studies have evolved, encompassing regional varieties and non-native speakers. The chapter sets the stage for the current study by highlighting existing knowledge and identifying gaps in the research on attitudes towards British English accents among EFL learners.
3. The study: This section details the methodology employed in the research. It describes the sample population (Austrian student teachers), the methods used to collect data (an online questionnaire), and the specific British English accents included in the study. This chapter provides the essential information to understand how the data was gathered and the context in which the results should be interpreted. It meticulously outlines the design and execution of the study, ensuring replicability and transparency.
4. Results: This chapter presents the findings of the study. It discusses general attitudes towards the selected British English varieties, the results of a correlative analysis (likely exploring the relationship between accent identification and attitudes), and a discussion of the results. It presents statistical evidence, possibly detailing the degree to which results confirm or challenge existing literature. The chapter also addresses the implications and limitations of the study.
Keywords
Language attitudes, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), British English, accent perception, social stereotypes, matched-guise technique, Received Pronunciation (RP), non-standard varieties, questionnaire, Austria.
Frequently Asked Questions: Conscious awareness of social stereotypes towards selected varieties of British English among Austrian EFL learners
What is the main topic of this research paper?
The research paper investigates the attitudes of Austrian EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners towards various British English accents, comparing their perceptions to existing literature on language attitudes. The study focuses on whether Austrian learners' attitudes align with previous findings and whether non-standard accents are viewed more favorably than Received Pronunciation (RP).
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include: attitudes of Austrian EFL learners towards British English accents; comparison of attitudes towards standard and non-standard British English varieties; the role of accent identification in shaping attitudes; the influence of social stereotypes on perceptions of different accents; and the analysis of the relationship between familiarity and positive evaluation of accents.
What is the methodology used in the study?
The study employs a questionnaire distributed to Austrian student teachers to gather data on their perceptions of different British English accents. The specific methodology and the British English accents included are detailed in the "The Study" chapter.
What are the key findings of the study?
The "Results" chapter presents the findings, including general attitudes towards the selected British English varieties, the results of a correlative analysis exploring the relationship between accent identification and attitudes, and a discussion of the implications and limitations of the study. The results are compared to existing literature.
What previous research is reviewed in the paper?
The literature review chapter examines previous research on language attitudes, starting with early studies like Lambert et al. (1960) using the matched-guise technique. It traces the evolution of these studies, encompassing regional varieties and non-native speakers, and identifies gaps in research on attitudes towards British English accents among EFL learners.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into several chapters: an introduction establishing the context and methodology; a literature review summarizing previous research; a detailed description of the study's methodology; a presentation and discussion of the results; and finally, a conclusion and prospects for future research.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Language attitudes, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), British English, accent perception, social stereotypes, matched-guise technique, Received Pronunciation (RP), non-standard varieties, questionnaire, Austria.
Who is the target audience of this research?
The target audience likely includes researchers and academics in applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, and English language teaching, as well as those interested in language attitudes and perceptions of different English accents.
What are the limitations of the study?
The limitations of the study are discussed in the "Results" chapter. These limitations likely pertain to the sample size, the specific accents chosen, and the methodology used in data collection.
What are the implications of the study?
The implications of the study, also discussed in the "Results" chapter, likely relate to the understanding of how social stereotypes and perceptions of accents influence EFL learning and teaching practices. The findings may inform curriculum design and teaching approaches.
- Quote paper
- Axel Kolbeinsson (Author), 2021, Austrian EFL learners and their awareness of social stereotypes towards selected varieties of British English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1191940
