A Research in Beliefs of Japanese Language Learners

Language learners are considered to have preconceived beliefs about language learning, i.e. ideas and images toward their language learning. Rubin (1987) points out that beliefs are closely connected to students' choice of learning strategies. Based on the preceding studies such as Horwits (1987), Rubin (1987) and Taniguchi (1990), this paper focuses on the beliefs of Japanese language learners. Horowitz (1987) has developed questionnaires, "The Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory (BALLI) " for ESL students. This study utilizes a modified version of Horowitz's questionnaires for Japanese language learners. A brief summary of the study procedureis in order. Beliefs of students in two Japanese classes are investigated and compared. The result shows that there are some differences on beliefs between the two classes; in other words, these different beliefs characterize the two types of classes. One class represents a tendency to depend upon the teacher, but the other does not. This study clarifies that the investigation on beliefs of language learning can give foreign language teachers some suggestions on, for example, designing a course, teaching learning strategies, and giving advice for individual instruction