Asian students' reticence revisited

Abstract

Recent ESL/EFL literature has frequently reported that Asian (especially East Asian) students of English as a second/foreign language are reticent and passive learners. Cultural attributes of Asian societies are often cited as the main causes for such alleged behaviour of reticence and passivity. Based on counter evidence against these allegations, this article argues that it is a dangerous over-generalisation to say Asian students are reticent and passive learners. Results from existing research show that many Asian students do have a strong desire to participate in classroom activities. The article also argues that if some Asian students are indeed observed to be quieter than expected in certain circumstances, the causes are situation specific rather than culturally pre-set. These situation-specific causes could be the differences between teaching methodologies and the lack of required foreign language proficiency. Interpretations based on cultural attributes should not be considered as an easier diagnosis for all problems arising in ESL/EFL practices.