Crenças de alunos sobre a aprendizagem de língua inglesa em uma escola pública do ensino médio em Amargosa-BA

Abstract

This study presents a discussion on the beliefs about language learning, especially directed to the teaching and learning of the English language. The research was conducted in a public high school in the city of Amargosa-Ba. We based our research on qualitative and quantitative data. We identified and analyzed the beliefs about the learning of English by students in a public high school. We verify how the school context influences the beliefs of learners. For data collection, we use two questionnaires with closed-ended and open-ended questions. We also observed the classroom environment. We rely on Applied Linguistics theories to support our studies. Regarding language teaching and learning, the research by Almeida Filho (1993), Barcelos (1995), Madeira (2005), Gimenez (2011) e Silva (2011) was of great relevance to discuss the beliefs of students and support the present study. The results show that the beliefs of the students are similar in many aspects, especially with regard to motivational beliefs, associated with the job market and to the fact that English is a global language. They also emphasize the distinctions that there are in the beliefs of students belonging to different grades, showing what happens in the expectation of students who attend the same school context, but who are affected by their life experiences. Therefore, we affirm that the beliefs about student learning is a phenomenon that is crucial for the effectiveness of English learning.