Challenges Faced by the Undergraduates in Learning English as a Second Language: A Sociological Study

Abstract

In line with globalization, using a common language in communication has become a major necessity in the modern
world. Accordingly, as the most popular global language, English plays a significant role in the current world. Therefore,
governments in developing countries, including Sri Lanka, give priority to increasing the English language proficiency of students
in schools and universities to make dealing with global affairs easier. English proficiency is a major requirement for higher
education, particularly in gathering knowledge, conducting research, and entering the industrialized working world. Although
it has been providing opportunities to learn English at the school level and in the higher education sector in Sri Lanka, the English
proficiency of most of the students is not adequate. As the literature revealed, because of the many obstacles faced by the
students while learning English, their English proficiency has not been improved adequately. Within this context, this study
attempted to inquire about the challenges faced by undergraduates in learning English. This inquiry was made under
three themes, such as “student’s factors or challenges," “student’s family-related factors or challenges," and "factors or challenges associated with educational institutions." For that, a convenience sample of 69 undergraduates was selected, representing 10% of the 4th-year undergraduates from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2016–2017. Survey and interview methods were used for primary data collection. The analysis was done descriptively under the above three themes using percentages of responses. Findings reveal that family, educational institutions, and personal factors are equally important factors in improving students’ English proficiency. Particularly parents' education level and their occupations, attitudes of the undergraduates and the learning environment, as well as teaching-learning methods and the teacher-student relationship, were decisive factors in improving the English proficiency of undergraduates. Use of modern technologies with attractive teaching-learning methods, creating favourable classrooms, improving positive teacher-student relationships, drawing the attention of the family to their children's English learning, changing students' attitudes, motivating them to learn English, taking steps to create an English-speaking culture, etc. are some of the suggestions for improving the English proficiency of the undergraduates.

Key Words: Challenges of Learning English, English Language, English Learning, Teaching-Learning Methods, Undergraduates