Lebanese students' choice of foreign languages and its influence on their life. (c2008)

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the history of foreign languages in Lebanon and its influence on students' academic, professional, and social life, and to investigate the causes of the shift from French medium schools to American universities. Two methods were used to collect data in order to assure reliability and validity ofthe findings. The researcher, in order to collect information, employed semi-structured interviews to interview French educated students who shifted into American universities and to interview parents, and distributed questionnaires to American university students in Lebanon. The analysis of the findings revealed many similarities and some differences between beliefs about foreign languages in Lebanon. The researcher concluded that English is substituting French in Lebanon and students believe that the French language is tough whereas the English language is easy. All students agreed that being graduates of American universities will help them to improve their professional life. These beliefs pushed French educated students to shift into American universities. The results also pointed out that there are academic and social differences between French and English educated students.