Conclusions
In this study, we investigated students’ perspectives about English learning and what their fears were in the past English learning process. Of special interest was the way different majors showed preferences for different language skills and teaching methods. While it may be difficult to measure objectively, it is generally observed by English teachers in Taiwan that certain majors have better English skills (when considering non-English majors). What this investigation has found is that while some groups of students may generally be accepted as having better English ability, management majors for example, this does not exclude other students as having equal interest and potential, but with a different emphasis and differences in attitude.
The general lack of research on the issues surrounding non-English majors has led many language teachers in Asia to assume that all students can be treated with the same standard approach. This has inevitably given way to disappointment as not only are our students in Asia EFL, as opposed to ESL, but the vast majority of students studying English are non-majors. Can we assume that different majors have the same interest and outlook, value the same skills or generally appreciate our efforts in the same way? This survey has clearly shown that this is not the case.