A study of English learning problems was carried out among a total of 106 foreign students.
A
study
of
English
learning
problems
was
carried
out
among
a
total
of
106
foreign
students
.
It shows that most students considered understanding spoken English to be their biggest problem on arrival.
It
shows
that
most
students
considered
understanding
spoken
English
to
be
their
biggest
problem
on
arrival
.
This was followed by speaking.
This
was
followed
by
speaking
.
Writing increased as a problem as students discovered difficulties in writing papers that they were now expected to hand in.
Writing
increased
as
a
problem
as
students
discovered
difficulties
in
writing
papers
that
they
were
now
expected
to
hand
in
.
Reading remained as a big problem.
Reading
remained
as
a
big
problem
.
Information gained helped us in determining where special attention should be paid in our course.
Information
gained
helped
us
in
determining
where
special
attention
should
be
paid
in
our
course
.
Although many students have chosen to join the course with a reasonable motivation, we considered it important to note what seemed to encourage interest.
Although
many
students
have
chosen
to
join
the
course
with
a
reasonable
motivation
,
we
considered
it
important
to
note
what
seemed
to
encourage
interest
.
Nearly all the students have experienced some kind of grammar-based English teaching in their own country.
Nearly
all
the
students
have
experienced
some
kind
of
grammar-based
English
teaching
in
their
own
country
.
To use the same method would be self-defeating because it might reduce motivation, especially if it has failed in the past.
To
use
the
same
method
would
be
self-defeating
because
it
might
reduce
motivation
,
especially
if
it
has
failed
in
the
past
.
Therefore a different method may help because it is different.
Therefore
a
different
method
may
help
because
it
is
different
.
Variety of activity was also seen as a way of maintaining or increasing motivation.
Variety
of
activity
was
also
seen
as
a
way
of
maintaining
or
increasing
motivation
.
Several years ago we had one timetable that operated throughout, but we soon found that both the students and the teachers lost interest about halfway through the ten weeks.
Several
years
ago
we
had
one
timetable
that
operated
throughout
,
but
we
soon
found
that
both
the
students
and
the
teachers
lost
interest
about
halfway
through
the
ten
weeks
.
This led us to a major re-think, so in the end we brought it into line with the expressed language needs of the students.
This
led
us
to
a
major
re-think
,
so
in
the
end
we
brought
it
into
line
with
the
expressed
language
needs
of
the
students
.
A study of English learning problems was carried out among a total of 106 foreign students. It shows that most students considered understanding spoken English to be their biggest problem on arrival. This was followed by speaking. Writing increased as a problem as students discovered difficulties in writing papers that they were now expected to hand in. Reading remained as a big problem.  Information gained helped us in determining where special attention should be paid in our course. Although many students have chosen to join the course with a reasonable motivation, we considered it important to note what seemed to encourage interest. Nearly all the students have experienced some kind of grammar-based English teaching in their own country. To use the same method would be self-defeating because it might reduce motivation, especially if it has failed in the past. Therefore a different method may help because it is different.  Variety of activity was also seen as a way of maintaining or increasing motivation. Several years ago we had one timetable that operated throughout, but we soon found that both the students and the teachers lost interest about halfway through the ten weeks. This led us to a major re-think, so in the end we brought it into line with the expressed language needs of the students.