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A study on sociocultural characteristics of Korean and Japanese students studying English in the Philippines
Journal of Japanese Culture
2018, (78),
pp.97-122
DOI :10.21481/jbunka..78.201808.97
Publisher : The Japanese Culture Association Of Korea (Jcak)
Research Area : Japanese Language and Literature
DOI :10.21481/jbunka..78.201808.97
Publisher : The Japanese Culture Association Of Korea (Jcak)
Research Area : Japanese Language and Literature
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This study compared the experiences of Japanese and Korean students learning English in the Philippines. It found that the Japanese students tended to be overwhelmed by cultural differences that affected their focus on learning the language. They expressed discomfort with the Filipino lifestyle (e.g., locals not using toilet tissue, eating with their hands, exotic foods, etc.), inconsistency in the teaching ability of Filipino teachers, and seeming lack of hygienic awareness of Filipino cooks at the dormitory. Overall, the Japanese reported that the Filipino culture they experienced by means of Philippines tourism changed the aim of their language training from “enhancement of English proficiency” to “returning to Japan as a healthy person.” Japanese students cited their inability to control the environment and protect their health as the main reasons they could not stay in the Philippines for longer than three months. In contrast, the Korean students were more focused on improving their English proficiency and were able to set aside concerns about food or hygiene. They reported concerns about the English pronunciations and inconsistent teaching abilities of the Filipino teachers, especially since Korea considers Filipino English to be peripheral or non-standard English and not of the caliber spoken in the inner circle (United States, England, Canada, and Australia). Korean students cited their concerns about the quality of the English language training as the main reason they could not stay in the Philippines for longer than three months.
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