Learning English in the shadows: Taiwanese students’ reflections on their English private tutoring learning experiences

Private tutoring has received increasing research attention as a global phenomenon, but awareness of its impact on students’ language learning and pedagogical discussions is lacking. This study investigated 35 Taiwanese learners’ English private (EPT) experiences based their reflections after finishing secondary education. A background questionnaire one-on-one semi-structured interviews were administered to collect participants’ data. The present found that the participants had complex, inconsistent, contradictory attitudes toward EPT. Although revealed needs could be met by institutions, EPT indicated students negatively affected in terms learning, educational experience, pressure, values. Moreover, was not considered an effective way learn use authentic communicate because overemphasis examination skills. effects contextual realities for purposes assessment achievement proficiency scores explored determine whether these undermined aim sheds light it become more than form shadow education emerged into mainstream.