Local Studies

According to this qualitative study “English language learning difficulty of Korean students in a
Philippine Multidisciplinary University” (30 November 2006) that Allan B. de Guzman,
Emmanuel Jeric A. Albela, Deborah Rosalind D. Nieto, John Bernard F. Ferrer, Rior N. Santos
have analyzed, the English language learning difficulties of 13 purposively chosen Korean students
relative to their sociolinguistic competence, motivation in using the English language, and cultural
factors. All of their collected interview responses were transcribed, categorized and thermalized
according to saliency, meaning and homogeneity. The findings of the study disclosed that, on the
whole, while the subjects never had the opportunity to use the English language in Korea, they use
it almost everywhere in the Philippines. Their difficulties exist both in daily conversation and in
the academic setting. Such difficulties are attributable to both the subjects’ and the Filipinos’
different entry points in the learning and use of English. It was also concluded in the study that
despite cultural barriers in communication, however, the Koreans studying in the Philippines are
instrumentally motivated to learn the English language.

It is a relevant study that discovers not only the roots of the problem but also added knowledge of
the history of both countries that is kind of related to the present research that aims to discover the
reasons and solutions of the language barrier in an international school.

Foreign Studies

Colleen Ward (2001), conducted a study about the impact of international students on domestic
students and host institutions in University of Victoria and learned that the number of international
students in New Zealand is increasing, and the economic benefits of export education are
considerable. Less is known, however, about the social, educational and cultural implications of
internationalization. Based on the information that have gathered, this analysis has considered five
key questions related to the impact of international students on domestic students, educational
institutions and the wider community. It concluded that included changes in educational process
and content, comparative usage of institutional support services by domestic and international
students, the relationships between international students, domestic students and the wider
community, and the conditions under which the benefits of internationalization can be maximized.
Although observed evidence is occasional, it is clear that the results indicated that
internationalization do not occur unexpectedly and that strategic interferences are required to
maximize the advantages.

This study and the present research are both the same when it comes to internationalization
although it is too broad and deep because the conducted study considered not only about students
internationally but also studies that might acquire means on how the benefits can be maximized.