Investigating Vietnamese ESL learners' beliefs about language learning

This paper reports on a study that investigated beliefs about language learning among 20 adult Vietnamese ESL learners, which, to date, remained unexplored. The survey instrument, a 'Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory' (Horwitz 1987), which included 34 items on a Likert-type scale, was used to collect data. The primary aim was to identify learners' beliefs about second language learning for the purpose of informing syllabus design and teacher practice. The secondary aim, was to discover if links existed between students' motivation for language learning and their beliefs. Results indicated that, despite the respondents' reported lack of language learning aptitude, and the belief in the supremacy of child's second language acquisition, the learners' motivation remained high. It was concluded that external motivators, such as need for employment predominated.