Study on Lack of Interest in Learning English among High School Students

                   

Study  on Lack of Interest in Learning English among High School Students

Abstract

Learning a new language helps one to acquire a deeper understanding of a new culture and see things from a different perspective. As an international language the importance of English is increasing day by day. In the development of the educational system of a country the role of English cannot be ignored. When English is learned as a second language the learners face some difficulties. This creates a weariness of lack of interest in learning English. This project aims at finding out the level of lack of interest in learning English among the high school students and the major reasons behind this disinterest. From the study conducted among the high school students using a questionnaire as a tool, it is found that most of the students have average level of lack of interest in learning English and a few have high level of lack of interest. Most students chose the methods of teaching English in schools as the major reason for their lack of interest. Over expectation of the parents, fear of examinations and study overload are also some of the reason for this weariness towards English.

Objectives

The current study aims at finding out the causes and reason for lack of interest in learning English. The main objectives are as follows,

v   to identify the factors that hinders students’ interest towards learning English.

v   to understand the level of lack of interest in students

v   to compare the levels of lack of interest among the students

v   to find out remedies and suggestions to create interest in learning English

v   to get an awareness about lack of interest in learning English and its causes. 

Methodology

For the systematic study, a questionnaire is used as the tool. The tool is a five point rating scale. The questionnaire contains 15 questions- 5 positive and 10 negative. The students are given options- always, often, sometimes, partially and never- for each question. A scoring scheme is designed and marks were allotted for each response. The tool was mainly based on the 4 components- method of teaching, over expectation and pressure from parents, study overload and fear of examination. The maximum score of the student would be 75. Those scored below 15 is considered to have extremely high level of lack of interest in learning English. Those in the range 15-35 have high level of lack of interest, 36- 55 have average level of lack of interest and 56-75 have low level of lack of interest.

The score obtained by each student is tabulated and the percentage of students belonging to each category is analysed. The percentage of students belonging to all the 4 components is calculated.

Analysis and interpretation

 The study was done in 21 high school students belonging to different schools in Thodupuzha region. From the study it is found that no students scored below 15 and so there is no student with extremely high level; of lack of interest. 19.1% of students belong to the category of those with high level of lack of interest. 47.6% of students have average level, of lack of interest and 33.3% of students have low level of lack of interest.

Methods of teaching English in school is the most prominent reason for the lack of interest. This component causes high level of lack of interest in 23.8% of students. The same causes average level of lack of interest in 66.7% of students and low level of lack of intersect in 9.5% of students.

No student have said that they have high level of lack of interest due to the pressure of the parents. The same causes average level of lack of interest in 61.9% of students and low level of lack of interest in 38.1 % of students.

Study overload causes high level of lack of interest in 19.1% of students, average level of lack of interest in 52.4% of students and low level of lack of interest in 28.5% of students.

 Fear of examination causes high level of lack of interest in 9.5 % of students, average level of lack of interest in 52.4% of students and low level of lack of interest in 38.1% of students.

Findings

Based on the study the following findings are obtained:

v   Most of the students in the selected sample group have an average level of lack of interest in learning English.

v   A few students have very low level of lack of interest.

v   A moderate number of students sustains their interest in learning English.

v   No student has an extremely high level of lack of interest in learning English.

v   Interest in students in learning is most adversely affected by the methods of teaching English in schools.

v   Over expectation and pressure from parents, fear of examination and study overload also stand as hindrances in learning English.  

Suggestions

Based on the findings made some suggestions are also formulated to make learning of English more interesting

v   Understand the importance of English for a bright future and good career.

v   Make English part of your day to day life.

v   Adopt innovative ways of learning English.

v   Read everything you get in your hands.

v   Learn English not for passing examinations, but for your future.

v   Try to learn new vocabulary every day.

v   Try to take down lecture notes while in the class.

Conclusion

The study undertaken to understand the levels of and reasons behind the lack of interest towards learning English among high school students proved that most of the students have an average level of lack of interest towards English. It is highly felt that the teachers need to adopt innovative methods and techniques in teaching English that would ignite the interest of the learners. The level of comprehension, individual differences and the interest areas of each student must be considered while teaching English.