To summarize, the participants of this study were highly likely to have had very similar past experiences of foreign language learning: English, and Chinese or Japanese. Because of this simi- larity, they had similar language learning beliefs. This speculation appears to be additionally sup- ported by the findings from the two other comparisons among the groups of participants in this study. Though only half of the participants attended the extra preparatory pre-college English course, and even if the participants were learning different target languages, their language learn- ing beliefs were significantly different only in terms of one factor. In other words, all the students had similar beliefs. These two aspects of their past learning experiences (i.e. the preparatory Eng- lish course and the target language) might have been less influential to the formation and devel- opment of the language learning beliefs than the other aspects shared by all the participants.
The results of this study suggest that past experiences as language learners are potential deter- minants of language learning beliefs, as the findings indicate similar beliefs about language learn- ing shared by the participants with similar language learning experiences. However, limitations need to be acknowledged. The limitations indicate the future research directions in the field.
The first limitation is related to the measurement of the learners’ past experiences. Although the two variables related to the participants’ previous learning experiences were examined in this study, it appears that they were not sufficient. It is necessary to investigate other additional varia- bles in order to achieve a complete picture of the determinants of the language learning beliefs. In particular, the variables related to the learners’ English language learning experiences are un-
doubtedly essential. They would include the length, type and characteristics of the students’ Eng-
lish language learning. The students’ achievement level in English at the time of investigation could be another important indicator of past learning experiences. It would be more effective to investigate these additional aspects through mixed methods, collecting both quantitative and quali- tative data. Longitudinal studies will certainly enable richer explanations of how past experiences as language learners influence individuals’ beliefs about language learning.
The second limitation concerns the length of the participants’ learning of the target languages. The participants had a relatively short period of experience of learning the target language when their beliefs were measured in this study. It seems to be too short to examine the possible impact of the learning on the students’ beliefs about language learning. Thus, it might have made it diffi- cult to evaluate the identified belief variations and similarities, as they could be attributable to the different target language or other aspects of the participants.
This study indicates the potential relationships between the learners’ language learning beliefs and past experiences as language learners. This further signifies that students’ language learning beliefs could be altered through instructional classroom interactions as much of the learners’ learn- ing experiences took place in classrooms. In this regard, it is essential for language teachers to have a clear understanding of their students’ beliefs about language learning as one of the key fac- tors affecting the ultimate outcome of their learning.