Students’ Backgraund Differences and Approaches to Obstacles ın Learning English: A Case Study

Abstract

This qualitative case study aimed at investigating the ways students with different previous learning experiences go through in order to survive the problems faced within a foreign language learning context. The data were gathered qualitatively through semi structured interviews. The students who were purposefully sampled were each interviewed twice. It was found that when students with different entry characteristics go through a similar challenge, they react differently to the obstacles in the way. Students with former failures in learning find it harder to cope with the problems than students with little or no earlier experience in language learning. Since self-efficacy is closely related to students ’ backgrounds, the knowledge of students ’ previous experience in language learning and students ’ strategies against the learning problems may enable teachers to help their students throughout the process.

Keywords

• Previous experience, foreign language learning difficulties, coping strategies

İNGİLİZCE ÖĞRENMEDE ÖĞRENCİLERİN DENEYİM FARKLILIKLARI VE SORUNLARA YAKLAŞIMLARI: BİR DURUM ÇALIŞMASI

Abstract

Durum incelemesi tarzındaki bu nitel çalışma; farklı öğrenme deneyimleri olan öğrencilerin, yabancı dil öğrenilen bir ortamda karşılaşılan problemlerin üstesinden gelmek için başvurdukları yaklaşımları belirlemeyi hedeflemiştir. Veriler, yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme yöntemiyle toplanmışür. Amaçlı örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilen öğrencilerin her biriyle iki defa görüşülmüştür. Farklı giriş nitelikleri olan öğrencilerin; daha önce denenmiş bir ‘zorlukla! yeniden yüzleştirildiklerinde, engellere farklı tepki gösterdikleri tespit edilmiştir. Başarısız öğrenme deneyimleri olan öğrenciler, deneyimi çok az olan veya hiç olmayan öğrencilere göre, yabancı dil öğrenmeyle ilgili sorunlarla başa çıkmada daha fazla zorlanmaktadır. Öz-yeterlik, öğrencilerin geçmiı deneyimleriyle yakından ilgili olduğu için, öğrencilerin geçmiı yaşantılanna ve öğrenme sorunlarına karçı tercih ettikleri yaklaşımlara ilişkin bilgi, öğretmenlerin öğrencilerine yardımcı olmasını kolaylaşürabilir.

Keywords

• Önceki deneyimler, yabancı dil öğrenme zorluklan, baı etme stratejileri

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