Author(s)

Shuyi Zhou, Mu Chen, Shuo Guan, Yi Zhao, Xinhua Zhang

College of Foreign Languages, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

This article explores Chinese university students’ ability to differentiate between different English accents, their learning preferences, and attitudes towards different accents using a combination of qualitative (questionnaires and interviews) and quantitative (subjective projection tests) methods. Additionally, the study examines differences in accent evaluation among students with varying majors and educational levels. The results show that students generally have a strong comprehension of both local and standard English variants, and their learning preferences are affected by factors such as their major, learning motivation, and practicality. Overall, students have a positive attitude towards the nine English variants studied, with English majors having a higher evaluation of non-standard English variants compared to non-English majors. Graduate students tend to have higher requirements for the authority and formality of English variants. This research is significant in enriching the theoretical knowledge of future English variants in China, promoting respect and tolerance for English accent diversity among Chinese university students, and advancing English teaching construction in China.

World English, English Accent, Language Attitude, Chinese University Students

Zhou, S.Y., Chen, M., Guan, S., Zhao, Y. and Zhang, X.H. (2023) A Study on the Attitudes of Chinese University Students towards Different English Accents. Open Access Library Journal, 10, 1-13. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1110103.