Factors Causes Students Low English Language Learning: A Case Study in the National University of Laos

Abstract

It has been generally well-known that most people faced some problems in learning English as a second or foreign language in non-English speaking countries; for example, in Lao People Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This paper has a main purpose to explore students-teachers’ weakness towards English language learning as a foreign language of a Continuing Summer Program for Bachelor’s degree of Teacher Education in English at the Faculty of Education (FOE), the National University of Laos (NUOL) in Lao. A study focuses on the reasons that impact on their poor English performance. Data were drawn from the question “Why Lao students weak in English?”. This question was administered to 30 English students-teachers in order to respond with their own views. Each respondent listed ten reasons that mentioned why students are poor in English language performance. Based on the findings of this research, main causes have been included namely: first, the majority of students stated that the English teachers are not well-trained; for instance, they use Lao language when teaching, so they cannot perform well to attract the interest of the student. Secondly, students lack of English foundation background. Third, students lack of confidence to use English because they are afraid of mistakes and shy feeling. Fourth, the curriculum is inappropriate for helping students to improve their English proficiency. Last but not least, English language is difficult to learn due to students are not well-motivated, encouraged and gained learning strategy. Furthermore, students do not practice speaking English with English native speakers, and class environment is crowded and noisy that is not fulfilled with teaching pedagogy.