Difficulties in Learning English As a Second Or Foreign Language
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Regis University ePublications at Regis University All Regis University Theses Summer 2006 Difficulties in Learning English As a Second Or Foreign Language James B. Wold Regis University Follow this and additional works at: https://epublications.regis.edu/theses Part of the Arts and Humanities Commons This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by ePublications at Regis University. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Regis University Theses by an authorized administrator of ePublications at Regis University. For more information, please contact epublications@regis.edu . Recommended Citation Wold, James B., "Difficulties in Learning English As a Second Or Foreign Language" (2006). All Regis University Theses. 333. https://epublications.regis.edu/theses/333 Regis University School for Professional Studies Graduate Programs Final Project/Thesis Disclaimer Use of the materials available in the Regis University Thesis Collection (“Collection”) is limited and restricted to those users who agree to comply with the following terms of use. Regis University reserves the right to deny access to the Collection to any person who violates these terms of use or who seeks to or does alter, avoid or supersede the functional conditions, restrictions and limitations of the Collection. The site may be used only for lawful purposes. The user is solely responsible for knowing and adhering to any and all applicable laws, rules, and regulations relating or pertaining to use of the Collection. All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations. DIFFICULTIES IN LEARNING ENGLISH AS A SECOND OR FOREIGN LANGUAGE by James B. Wold A Research Project Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts Specialization: Language and Communication REGIS UNIVERSITY May, 2006 ABSTRACT Difficulties in Learning English as a Second or Foreign Language In this research project, the author explored the experience of one adult female immigrant to the United States and her difficulties in learning English as a second language (ESL) and identified several compounding reasons for her lack of expected progress. The research was accomplished by way of personal observation and interviews, which allowed the learner the opportunity to tell her own story in the phenomenological case study. There are many challenges that face foreign language (FL) learners and the learner struggled with notable difficulties. The findings showed that the learner, whose first and second languages were nonalphabetical, had never been taught the sound/letter rules system of English, and this fundamental deficit played a pivotal role in her poor classroom attendance, wavering motivation to learn and practice English, and ultimately, in her lack of progress. Implications included the need for basic sound/letter training to be implemented in basic ESL programs, especially for nonalphabetic first language learners. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................ 1 Statement of the Problem ................................. 1 Background of the Problem ................................ 2 Purpose of the Project ................................... 3 Chapter Summary ...................................... 4 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ................................. 5 Background ......................................... 5 Second Language Acquisition .............................. 6 SLA and the Adult ESL Learner .......................... 7 Interaction ........................................ 8 Motivation ........................................ 9 Aptitude .......................................... 11 Hindrances and Barriers .................................. 11 Anxiety .......................................... 12 Adult Disadvantage .................................. 13 Role of the First Language ................................ 15 Uniquely Chinese Challenge ............................ 17 FL Learning Difficulties Examined ........................ 21 Language Learning Disability .............................. 24 Getting Through .................................... 28 Chapter Summary ...................................... 30 3. METHOD ............................................. 31 Target Audience ....................................... 31 Goals .............................................. 31 Procedures ........................................... 33 Chapter Summary ...................................... 34 4. RESULTS ............................................. 35 Formal Interview ...................................... 35 Yüklə 0,81 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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