English language teachers' perceived difficulty of english skills faced by ESL learners

Abstract

Many ESL (English as a Second Language) learners are aware of the importance of having good English language proficiency. Yet, many have not had much success learning the language. Why do learners fail to master the language? What skills do they find difficult to master? The purpose of this study is to investigate the difficulties that hinder ESL learners from mastering the main language skills which are speaking, writing, reading and listening skills. The respondents for this study are 27 English subject teachers from five different secondary schools. The English teachers were selected as respondents as the teachers knew best how their students were performing and what problems they faced with English language learning. The questionnaire which is the main research instrument in the study was used to collect data on the views of the English teachers on the skills that their ESL learners lacked and the challenges they faced with language learning. The findings revealed that the learners' biggest difficulty with the Speaking skill, the Reading skill and also the Listening skill, was with vocabulary and expressions. With the Writing skill, the learners have most difficulties with using grammatically correct sentences in addition to problems with vocabulary. Thus, this indicates that vocabulary is the biggest difficulty for ESL learners, and grammar too is a challenge when they write in English. Thus, new English language teaching and learning methods should be implemented to help solve ESL learners' problems with English language learning. 1.0 INTRODUCTION Malaysians these days have already begun to realize the importance of having good English language proficiency. Not having good English Language ability is a hindrance from getting better academic achievements at the higher learning level and also at the workplace since it obstructs one from getting promotions and recognitions at the workplace. As a student at the higher level of learning, one's lack of proficiency in English will hinder him from advancing well academically. In higher learning institutions, proficiency in English is vital in achieving academic success as most lectures, tutorials and notes are provided in English language. Drennan and Rohde [1] who studied the effects of English language proficiency on academic achievement among accounting students in University of Queensland, Australia reported that students with limited use of English faced problems in advanced subjects. This shows that one's English language proficiency affects one's academic performance.