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Macau Periodical Index (澳門期刊論文索引)

Author
Young, Ming Yee
Title
Learning approach and english use: the case of MUST
Journal Name
澳門科技大學學報
Pub. Info
Dec. 2008, Vol.2, No.2, pp. 116-124
Keyword
learning approach；English use；Learning motivation；Learning Strategy；Higher education
Abstract
Abstract : Learning approach is an important factor that associates with successful learning. This paper decribes a study that examined students' learning approaches and English use in higher education. A sample of 170 Macau and 531 Mainland Chinese undergraduates studying in the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) responded to a questionnaire that measured learning approaches and English use outside the classroom. Overall, Macau students adopted a surface approach while mainland chinese students adopted a deep approach to learning. Moreover, the former ures english outside the classroom less frequently than the latter. Statistical analysis revealed significant group differences in learning approaches. In addition, English use was found to have a significant positive correlation with deep approach. This paper speculates that the previous learning environments of the two chinese subgroups might possibly account for their different learning approaches. In a context such as MUST, where English is used as a medium of instruction, pedagogical efforts should be made to encourage Macau students to establish more desirable learning approaches and use English more frequently. Paragraph Headings: 1. Introduction 2. Literature review 2.1. Learning approach 2.2. Previous studies on learning approaches 3. Method 3.1. Research questions 3.2. Research setting 3.3. Instruments 3.4. Procedures 3.5. Analysis 4. Results and discussion 4.1. Students' approaches to learning 4.2. Students' English use outside the classroom 5. Conclusions Tables: 1. Description of the study process questionnaire scales 2. Description statistics of learning approach scores by student gruop 3. Results of independent samples tests on learning approaches by student gruops 4. Description statistics of English use by student gruops 5. Results of independent samples tests on English use by student groups 6. Correlatons between learning approaches and English use