Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

submittedVersion

Publication Date

1-2010

Abstract

The purpose of this article is fourfold: first, to report on a university-wide survey assessing demand among bilingual undergraduates for foreign language study in a management university in Singapore; second, to determine those factors influencing students' foreign language choice and also those influencing decisions not to pursue foreign language study; third, to discuss how the results contribute to curricular planning for foreign language provision; and fourth, to provide readers with a non-U.S. or European perspective on the issues of foreign language learning interest and choice. Using an online survey, results from 708 respondents indicated that, although already bilingual, an overwhelming majority demanded more opportunities for foreign language study, particularly for Japanese, French, and Spanish. Students' primary motivations were a desire to learn about the target culture and enhance employment marketability.

Keywords

Foreign languages, Singapore Management University, Singapore

Discipline

Asian Studies | Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | Higher Education

Research Areas

Strategy and Organisation

Publication

Foreign Language Annals

Volume

38

Issue

4

First Page

544

Last Page

553

ISSN

0015-718X

Identifier

10.1111/j.1944-9720.2005.tb02521.x

Publisher

Wiley

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2005.tb02521.x

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