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Language Learning as Investment or Consumption? A Case Study of Chinese University Students’ Beliefs about the Learning of Languages Other than English

Author

Listed:
  • Xiuwen Chen

    (School of Foreign Studies, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Ke Zhao

    (School of Foreign Studies, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Jian Tao

    (School of Foreign Studies, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai 200433, China)

Abstract

This study draws on the notions of investment and consumption to interpret beliefs about learning languages other than English (LOTEs) among learners in Chinese universities. By interviewing 23 Chinese university students learning French or Spanish in a master’s program, we found that most participants questioned the usefulness of LOTEs for their professional career and viewed learning LOTEs as part of leisure and consumption rather than investment. Only a small number of participants related their language skill development to career aspirations and were motivated to continue learning LOTEs after the end of their LOTE classes. To further explain the different language beliefs about LOTE learning, we examined the identities of these LOTE learners. The analysis identified four patterns of ‘imagined identity’, indicating that the difficulty experienced by individual learners in anticipating the usefulness of LOTEs in their ‘imagined identity’ in the future, especially in their professional career, led to their belief about LOTEs as consumption and leisure rather than investment. This paper concludes with some implications for language policy planners in sustaining multilingual learning in Chinese higher education.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiuwen Chen & Ke Zhao & Jian Tao, 2020. "Language Learning as Investment or Consumption? A Case Study of Chinese University Students’ Beliefs about the Learning of Languages Other than English," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2156-:d:331047
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yadong Guo & Helena Sit & Min Bao, 2020. "Sustainable Careers of Teachers of Languages Other than English (LOTEs) for Sustainable Multilingualism in Chinese Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Hengzhi Hu & Nur Ehsan Mohd Said & Harwati Hashim, 2023. "Sustaining Content and Language Integrated Learning in China: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Juexuan Lu & Yajun Wang & Qi Shen & Xuesong Gao, 2022. "Investment in Learning Chinese by International Students Studying Chinese as a Second Language (CSL)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-12, November.
    4. Joel C. Tahimic & Celso L. Tagadiad, 2022. "The Mediating Effect of Cognitive Performance on the Relationship between the Beliefs about Language Learning and English Language Attitude," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(3), pages 722-732, March.

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