earticle

영어

This study aims to investigate what emotions freshmen in local universities feel in their English classes of South Korea. For the study, the Academic Emotions Questionnaire (AEQ) and a semi-structured interview were used. 224 freshmen in two universities participated in the survey, and 10 students were interviewed. The statistical results are as follows; Firstly, research showed that the participants of this study have more positive emotions. Particularly, their contentment was the most positive of the 10 emotions. Secondly, university C showed higher positive emotions and lower negative emotions than University B. The emotions including enjoyment, contentment, boredom, anger and anxiety showed significant differences. Thirdly, gender was not shown to have a significant role in the emotions reported, but the students’ major had an effect on emotional difference. For example, students majoring in Humanities and Social Sciences showed higher negative emotions of hopelessness and shame than those majoring in Natural Sciences and Engineering. Interviews revealed that the learners’ negative learning experiences shape their negative emotions. And finally the pedagogical implications and suggestions are discussed.