Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore what attitudes Korean pre-service elementary and secondary English teachers have towards varieties of English as an international language (EIL), focusing on accent. It also examines the difference between the two groups. Three hundred and fifteen Korean college students participated in a questionnaire survey, including one hundred thirty students majoring in elementary English education and one hundred eighty five students in secondary English education. The results revealed that most of the participants have positive attitudes towards English varieties with an inconsistency between their understanding and value of EIL, and preference of English varieties. Both groups chose American English as the most intelligible, best liked, standard English and a target instruction variety because of the power its speakers have. They showed negative attitudes towards their own English variety, Korean English. It was suggested that pre-service teacher education programs need to focus on enhancing an understanding of EIL, ensuring intelligibility, building confidence and promoting an ownership of English for future Korean teachers of English.
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