Practices, beliefs and perceptions of Japanese EFL self-access learners toward Internet-based language learning

Abstract

This research was carried out to describe the practices, beliefs, and perceptions of Japanese self-access EFL independent learners toward the use of the Internet for their English study. Open-ended e-mail questionnaires were distributed to potential subjects: individual e-mail account holders, as well as to mailing lists, message boards, and a newsgroup where other potential subjects could be located. Thirty responses were received and telephone or e-mail interviews were conducted with 11 of the respondents for further investigation. While it was found that the participants make use of a great variety of tools found on the Internet for their study, different beliefs were identified behind their practices. Two major approaches toward the use and understanding of English-language material (content-focus versus language-focus) were analyzed. The importance of experts, tutors, and a sense of community were identified through analysis of how the participants use Japanese written content on the Internet. Furthermore, their perceptions toward Internet-based language learning were analyzed with an emphasis on motivating factors.