British or American? Iranian EFL learners’ Perceptions toward English Accents: Exploring possible relationships

Abstract

Native English accents (British and American) are known as highly favored and accepted varieties compared to other existing accents in English as foreign language (EFL) context. Notwithstanding the research accomplished on EFL learners’ attitudes toward either of the accents (British or American), studies are still scant regarding the investigation of their perspectives in detail toward one of the accents specifically within the context of Iran. The aim of this study is to examine the Iranian EFL learners’ attitudes toward the two major known English accents (British and American. Additionally, the study highlights the major factors contributing to the learners’ preferences toward either of the accents (British or American). To that aim, a developed and validated questionnaire was distributed among 108 EFL learners selected from two of the major EFL contexts (universities and private institutes). The results indicated that the majority of the learners preferred American over British English accent. Besides, factor analysis revealed that American English exposure, lack of guidance, and lack of reinforcement toward British accent were among the mentioned factors accepted by learners for their preference of American. Finally, the study concludes with interpretations regarding the learners’ decision making issues in either of the two major accents, and recommendations are provided for revisiting the EFL learners’ attitudes and insights toward native English accents.

“What Reference Accent should we Adopt?” University Students’ and Teachers’ Preferences for and Attitudes Toward English Reference Accents

“…However, the students associated GA with greater solidarity and stronger affiliative feelings. Contrary to these two studies, Weisi et al (2019) found university students' disposition toward American English among Iranian students. Of the plethora of research accomplished on this topic, only one study (Rashid, 2011) has been conducted regarding Iraqi university students' attitudes toward and preferences for American and British English.…”

“…English possesses so many diverse varieties that have led scholars to categorize world Englishes into Inner, Outer, and Expanding Circles. Although there is a shift in the use and users of English, the dominance of native ideology is still prevalent and native accents are more favored than other English accents in both the Outer and Expanding Circles (Carrie, 2017;Chan, 2016;Fang, 2016;Huang & Hashim, 2021;Kuar, 2014;McKenzie, 2015;Phan, 2020;Pilus, 2013;Scales et al, 2006;Weisi et al, 2019). Previous research has shown negative attitudes toward non-native speakers who have a poor accent (Senefonte, 2016).…”

“…However, they are exposed to native Englishes through formal instruction. Another relevant study, which was conducted by Weisi et al (2019) revealed that Iranian students' preference for American English was associated with the students being exposed to American English. And, lack of guidance and lack of reinforcement toward British English affected students' preference for British English.…”

“…An increasing number of scholars have stressed the significance of global intelligibility (Crystal, 2012;Jenkins, 2009;Scales et al, 2006) because much communication occurs among nonstandard varieties of English. Nevertheless, achieving native-like English is still prioritized in English language education (Choi, 2015) because learners themselves prefer to model native speakers and native English varieties, particularly American English and British English (Kuar, 2014;Rashid, 2011;Scales et al, 2006;Weisi et al, 2019).…”

“…Language attitudes develop through a number of factors including prior linguistic exposure through media, current instructional practices, the usability of a certain linguistic variety in a certain educational or cultural context, and the political power of the dialect users (Al-Dosary, 2011). In this regard, Weisi et al (2019) conducted a study revealing the participants expressed their preference for American English due to exposure to American English. Furthermore, Carrie (2017) confirmed that prestige can be a denominator of accent preference, revealing that the participants showed a preference for British English due to status and prestige.…”