University Students' Beliefs about English Learning and their Use of Learning Strategies: a Mixed-Method Study in Macao

Abstract

This thesis is an exploration of two phenomena which become foregrounded when attention is focused on the process of learning an additional language, namely, (1) the beliefs language learners have about learning an additional language and (2) the strategies they use to learn the language, where strategic language learning has been recognised as contributing to successful outcomes. The thesis also explores relations between these two phenomena. Specifically, the study reported in this thesis used a mixed method approach to investigate the beliefs about language learning of tertiary students studying English in Macao, the language learning strategies these students use to learn English, and the relations between their language learning beliefs and the strategies they use. Students' beliefs about learning English and their strategies they use to learn the language were investigated quantitatively, through a questionnaire survey, and qualitatively, through follow-up interviews.