Learner Preferences toward Native-speaker English in Japanese EFL Education

This paper presents the results of a survey study exploring various preferences of Japanese students in pursuing English study. This research was conducted to explore differences in preferences between learners who may be considered to be aware of the nature of English as used in the world and learners who lack such awareness. The research suggests there are no profound differences in such motivations between learners deemed “aware” of international English and learners who are not. The study suggests that educators balance curricular needs with learner preferences, and classroom implications are discussed to help achieve this balance.