A review of five studies on learner beliefs about second language learning and teaching: exploring the possibilities of narratives

This article reviews five studies carried out within two projects in Finland on the subjective experiences of second language learning and teaching and the related beliefs held by university students of English or other foreign languages. The studies to be reviewed have been conducted using contextual approaches, and written or visual narratives. The aim is to explore how narratives have been used in doing research on learner beliefs by illustrating some of the units of analysis applied within different theoretical frameworks. In addition to summarizing the studies, the article will discuss the methodological lessons learnt and indicate directions for future research.