Foreign language accents and efl learners' attitudes

Abstract EN

EFL learners' preference of and attitudes towards English accents differ. Some accents gain the preference and positive attitudes of learners simply because they are considered as more interesting and universal than others.

Others, however, are considered as clearer, more academic and useful in EFL teaching and learning.

Advanced Iraqi learners' preferences of and attitudes towards using the British accent (RP) and the American accent (GA) are highlighted in the present study. Among the main findings of the experimentation carried out is that more than 66 % of those learners have a preference of and a positive attitude towards the use of RP.

This, however, necessitates an objective reconsideration of the present situation in Iraqi EFL classrooms concerning the preference of other English accents by the other learners.