Language learning beliefs has been a frequently discussed topic of Applied Linguistics in the area of language learning and teaching. This paper discusses the beliefs learners and teachers of English as a second language hold about the learning/teaching process. I will start the discussion exposing the reason why more and more researchers are interested in investigating the beliefs system of those involved in the task of learning the English language to show the influence that the beliefs that compose this system have in the way they approach the process of learning a new language. I will next present and discuss some of the main factors that act in the construction of students and teachers´ beliefs and some of the beliefs they hold, not all of which beneficial for the good performance in that process.
beliefs; language learning; language teaching; foreign language