Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Challenges & Attitudes of Students toward Learning English as a Foreign Language : A Case Study in University “Luigj Gurakuqi” Shkodër, Albania

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 1 - 12, 31.05.2025

Abstract

During these last decades, a more profound interest in the academic programs of the English Learning Language has been evident in numerous Universities worldwide. English is the most useful Language in more than 80% of the countries on our planet and is spoken by more than 1.5 billion people. This Language dominates 80% of Internet information and has today received the academic status of "Latin," which undoubtedly makes English today the Language of international communication. David (1997) defined the priority of this Language just a ‘global Language’. English is the students' Language and has opened the doors of communication for them. EFL learners encounter critical difficulties, such as linguistic differences between English and their native languages, limited exposure to native speakers, and inadequate learning resources. Psychological factors, including language anxiety and lack of confidence, often compound these challenges. Additionally, students' attitudes toward learning English, shaped by cultural, social, and personal motivations, significantly influence their language acquisition process. Positive attitudes can foster motivation and engagement, while negative attitudes may hinder progress. This paper aims to determine challenges college students encounter while studying English at the "Luigj Gurakuqi" University of Shkodër, first bachelor cycle. Through a questionnaire, the 146 students involved in this project tried to explain why they wished to study English Language, their challenges, and their attitudes toward L2. Addressing these challenges and fostering positive attitudes can develop more effective teaching approaches, ultimately improving EFL learners' language proficiency outcomes.

References

  • Alizadeh, M. (2016). The impact of motivation on English language learning. International Journal of Research in English Education.
  • Crystal, D. (1997). English as a global language (1st ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  • Deci, E., & Ryan, R. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Plenum.
  • Dragojević, M. (2016). Language attitudes. In H. Giles & J. Harwood (Eds.), The Oxford encyclopedia of intergroup communication (Vol. 1, pp. 263–278). Oxford University Press.
  • Dörnyei, Z. (1998). Motivation in second and foreign language learning. Language Teaching, 31, 117–135. https://doi.org/10.1017/S026144480001315X
  • Dörnyei, Z., & Csizér, K. (2002). Some dynamics of language attitudes and motivation: Results of a longitudinal nationwide survey. Applied Linguistics, 23(4), 421–462.
  • Ellis, R. (1994). The study of second language acquisition. Oxford University Press.
  • Eunson, B. (2020). English grammar – A critical approach. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341370223_English_Grammar-_Critical_Approach
  • Gardner, B. (2015). A review and analysis of the use of 'habit' in understanding, predicting, and influencing health-related behavior. Health Psychology Review, 9(3), 277–295.
  • Gardner, R., & Lambert, W. (1972). Attitudes and motivation in second language learning. Newbury House. Garrett, P. (2010). Attitudes to language. Cambridge University Press.
  • Howard, J. L., Bureau, J., Guay, F., Chong, J. X., & Ryan, R. M. (2021). Student motivation and associated outcomes: A meta-analysis from self-determination theory. Perspectives on Psychological Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691620966789
  • Jenkins, J. (2007). English as a lingua franca: Attitude and identity. Oxford University Press.
  • Krashen, S. (1981). Second language acquisition and second language learning. Pergamon.
  • Latchanna, G., & Dagnew, A. (2009). The attitude of teachers towards the use of active learning methods. E-Journal of All India Association for Educational Research, 21(1).
  • Mensah, J., Okyere, M., & Kuranchie, A. (2013). Students' attitude towards mathematics and performances: Does the teacher's attitude matter? Journal of Education and Practice, 3, 132–139.
  • Noels, K., Pelletier, G., Clément, R., & Vallerand, R. (2000). Why are you learning a second language? Motivational orientations and self-determination theory. Language Learning, 50(1), 57–85.
  • Noursi, O. (2013). Attitude towards learning English: The case of the UAE Technological High School. Educational Research, 4(1).
  • Nunan, D. (1993). Action research in language education. In J. Edge & K. Richards (Eds.), Teachers develop teachers research: Papers on classroom research and teacher development (pp. 39–50). Heinemann.
  • Pourhosein Gilakjani, A. (2012). A study of factors affecting EFL learners' English pronunciation learning and strategies for instruction. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2(3), 119–128.
  • Salmon, W., & Menjívar, J. G. (2019). Setting and language attitudes in a Creole context. Applied Linguistics, 40(2), 248–264.
  • Smith, A. N. (1971). The importance of attitude in foreign language learning. The Modern Language Journal, 55(2), 82–88.
  • Spolsky, B. (2000). Anniversary article: Language motivation revisited. Applied Linguistics, 21(2), 157–169.
  • Crystal, D. (2018). The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  • Wenden, A. (1991). Learner strategies for learner autonomy. Prentice Hall.
  • Yashima, T. (2002). Willingness to communicate in a second language: The Japanese EFL context. Modern Language Journal, 86(1), 54–66.

Öğrencilerin Yabancı Dil Olarak İngilizce Öğrenmeye Yönelik Zorlukları ve Tutumları: Arnavutluk, İşkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” Üniversitesi'nde Bir Vaka Çalışması

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 1 - 12, 31.05.2025

Abstract

Son yıllarda, dünya çapında birçok üniversitede İngilizce Dil Öğrenimi akademik programlarına daha derin bir ilgi olduğu görülmektedir. İngilizce, gezegenimizdeki ülkelerin %80'inden fazlasında en kullanışlı dildir ve 1,5 milyardan fazla insan tarafından konuşulmaktadır. Bu Dil, İnternet bilgilerinin %80'ine hakimdir ve günümüzde İngilizceyi hiç şüphesiz uluslararası iletişim dili haline getiren “Latince” akademik statüsünü almıştır. David (1997) bu dilin önceliğini ‘küresel bir dil’ olarak tanımlamıştır. İngilizce öğrencilerin dilidir ve onlara iletişimin kapılarını açmıştır. EFL öğrencileri, İngilizce ve ana dilleri arasındaki dilsel farklılıklar, ana dili İngilizce olan kişilerle sınırlı maruz kalma ve yetersiz öğrenme kaynakları gibi kritik zorluklarla karşılaşırlar. Dil kaygısı ve özgüven eksikliği gibi psikolojik faktörler de bu zorlukları daha da artırmaktadır. Ayrıca, öğrencilerin kültürel, sosyal ve kişisel motivasyonlarla şekillenen İngilizce öğrenmeye yönelik tutumları, dil edinim süreçlerini önemli ölçüde etkiler. Olumlu tutumlar motivasyonu ve katılımı teşvik edebilirken, olumsuz tutumlar ilerlemeyi engelleyebilir. Bu çalışma, üniversite öğrencilerinin İşkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” Üniversitesi'nde birinci lisans döneminde İngilizce öğrenirken karşılaştıkları zorlukları belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bir anket aracılığıyla, bu projeye katılan 146 öğrenci neden İngilizce öğrenmek istediklerini, karşılaştıkları zorlukları ve L2'ye yönelik tutumlarını açıklamaya çalışmıştır. Bu zorlukları ele almak ve olumlu tutumları teşvik etmek, daha etkili öğretim yaklaşımları geliştirebilir ve sonuçta EFL öğrencilerinin dil yeterlilik sonuçlarını iyileştirebilir.

References

  • Alizadeh, M. (2016). The impact of motivation on English language learning. International Journal of Research in English Education.
  • Crystal, D. (1997). English as a global language (1st ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  • Deci, E., & Ryan, R. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Plenum.
  • Dragojević, M. (2016). Language attitudes. In H. Giles & J. Harwood (Eds.), The Oxford encyclopedia of intergroup communication (Vol. 1, pp. 263–278). Oxford University Press.
  • Dörnyei, Z. (1998). Motivation in second and foreign language learning. Language Teaching, 31, 117–135. https://doi.org/10.1017/S026144480001315X
  • Dörnyei, Z., & Csizér, K. (2002). Some dynamics of language attitudes and motivation: Results of a longitudinal nationwide survey. Applied Linguistics, 23(4), 421–462.
  • Ellis, R. (1994). The study of second language acquisition. Oxford University Press.
  • Eunson, B. (2020). English grammar – A critical approach. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341370223_English_Grammar-_Critical_Approach
  • Gardner, B. (2015). A review and analysis of the use of 'habit' in understanding, predicting, and influencing health-related behavior. Health Psychology Review, 9(3), 277–295.
  • Gardner, R., & Lambert, W. (1972). Attitudes and motivation in second language learning. Newbury House. Garrett, P. (2010). Attitudes to language. Cambridge University Press.
  • Howard, J. L., Bureau, J., Guay, F., Chong, J. X., & Ryan, R. M. (2021). Student motivation and associated outcomes: A meta-analysis from self-determination theory. Perspectives on Psychological Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691620966789
  • Jenkins, J. (2007). English as a lingua franca: Attitude and identity. Oxford University Press.
  • Krashen, S. (1981). Second language acquisition and second language learning. Pergamon.
  • Latchanna, G., & Dagnew, A. (2009). The attitude of teachers towards the use of active learning methods. E-Journal of All India Association for Educational Research, 21(1).
  • Mensah, J., Okyere, M., & Kuranchie, A. (2013). Students' attitude towards mathematics and performances: Does the teacher's attitude matter? Journal of Education and Practice, 3, 132–139.
  • Noels, K., Pelletier, G., Clément, R., & Vallerand, R. (2000). Why are you learning a second language? Motivational orientations and self-determination theory. Language Learning, 50(1), 57–85.
  • Noursi, O. (2013). Attitude towards learning English: The case of the UAE Technological High School. Educational Research, 4(1).
  • Nunan, D. (1993). Action research in language education. In J. Edge & K. Richards (Eds.), Teachers develop teachers research: Papers on classroom research and teacher development (pp. 39–50). Heinemann.
  • Pourhosein Gilakjani, A. (2012). A study of factors affecting EFL learners' English pronunciation learning and strategies for instruction. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2(3), 119–128.
  • Salmon, W., & Menjívar, J. G. (2019). Setting and language attitudes in a Creole context. Applied Linguistics, 40(2), 248–264.
  • Smith, A. N. (1971). The importance of attitude in foreign language learning. The Modern Language Journal, 55(2), 82–88.
  • Spolsky, B. (2000). Anniversary article: Language motivation revisited. Applied Linguistics, 21(2), 157–169.
  • Crystal, D. (2018). The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  • Wenden, A. (1991). Learner strategies for learner autonomy. Prentice Hall.
  • Yashima, T. (2002). Willingness to communicate in a second language: The Japanese EFL context. Modern Language Journal, 86(1), 54–66.
There are 25 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects English As A Second Language, Language Acquisition
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Emanuela Toma

Submission Date May 9, 2025
Acceptance Date May 31, 2025
Publication Date May 31, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 10 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Toma, E. (2025). Challenges & Attitudes of Students toward Learning English as a Foreign Language : A Case Study in University “Luigj Gurakuqi” Shkodër, Albania. European Journal of Educational and Social Sciences, 10(1), 1-12.