Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 13. Number2. June 2022 Pp. 297-311
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol13no2.20
Exploring Kurdish EFL University Students’ Beliefs about Language Learning
Omar Fouad Ghafor1, 4,
Corresponding Author: omar.ghafor@uoh.edu.iq
Hedayat Muhammad Ahmad1, 2
Goran Omar Mustafa1, 3
1Department of English Language, College of Basic Education, University of Halabja, Halabja,
Kurdistan, IRAQ
2Department of International Commerce, College of Commerce, University of Sulaimani,
Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan, IRAQ
3Department of ELT, Faculty of Education, Tishk International University, Sulaymaniyah,
Kurdistan, IRAQ
4Department of English, College of Languages, University of Human Development, Sulaimani,
Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Received: 3/28/2022 Accepted: 5/31/2022 Published: 6/24/2022
Abstract:
This paper is an attempt to deal with language learners’ beliefs. Researchers used Elaine Kolker Horwitz’s model (1988), Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory, and they applied it to explore the views of Kurdish EFL university students concerning language learning. The study aims to investigate and expose their opinions regarding language learning generally, then English language more precisely. Its significance lies in exploring the beliefs of Kurdish EFL university students about language learning. It mainly answers the question, “what are the beliefs of Kurdish EFL university students about learning English?”. The researchers administered a Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI) questionnaire to seven universities to achieve this aim. The questionnaire includes several viewpoints regarding the difficulty of language learning, foreign language aptitude, the nature of language learning, learning and communication strategies, and motivation and expectations. They collected and analyzed the questionnaire results and found out that the first category, the difficulty of language learning, has the lowest mean score among the five categories. In contrast, the fifth category, motivation and expectations, has the highest mean score. They ended the study with suitable beneficiary recommendations.
Keywords: BALLI, beliefs, Kurdish EFL university students, language learning difficulties, language learning strategies
Cite as: Ghafor, O.F., Ahmad, H.M., & Mustafa, G.O. (2022). Exploring Kurdish EFL University Students’ Beliefs about
Language Learning. Arab World English Journal, 13 (2) 297-311.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol13no2.20
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