Comparison of Factors Influencing Thai students' choices of a minor subject between Japanese and Chinese

Abstract

This study was a quantitative type of research. It examined Thai student)s motives toward their choosing Japanese or Chinese as a minor subject at an institute. The study was carried out during the 2012-2013 Academic Year. The study had 4 objectives: 1) to find the factors why some Thai students chose Japanese as a minor subject rather than Chinese, 2) to find the factors why some chose Chinese as a minor subject rather than Japanese, 3) to explore the different factors influencing students) choice of a minor subject between Japanese and Chinese, and 4) the differences between male and female decisions. 124 second-year beginner-level students participated in the study: 52 selected Japanese; 72 selected Chinese. The major research tool was a questionnaire administered during class time. It was found that Chinese learners were more motivated than Japanese learners by intrinsic reasons, and Japanese learners were more motivated by instrumental reasons than Chinese learners. Furthermore, this study revealed that Japanese learners thought it was more difficult to learn Japanese and obtain a good grade than their Chinese counterparts. Moreover, Japanese learners chose Japanese of their own volition than Chinese learners. In addition, sexes did not much influence both of Japanese and Chinese learners) choices.