This study examined factors influencing study abroad destination choices of Japanese students learning English, and investigated barriers to selecting study abroad programs in English as a lingua franca context. Survey data were collected from 135 first-year students who major in English in a Japanese university where studying abroad is mandatory. The findings revealed that, while attraction to specific countries and their cultures primarily drove initial destination preferences, practical considerations gained importance in subsequent choices. Also, it indicates the Information Guide, which provides an overview of the program and potential study abroad experiences, and senior students’ experiences primarily influenced students’ decision-making processes. According to the survey, only 33% of students considered participating in dual-language study abroad programs. It also revealed the key factors that deter the participation of dual language study abroad programs, such as a preference for focusing solely on English, limited destination options, and concerns about simultaneous language learning (English and local language). This research provides insights for improving the design and promotion of dual-language study abroad programs.
Ueki et al. (Sat,) studied this question.