Difficulties in learning English by EFL students in Turkey.

Ankara Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, cilt.54, sa.1, ss.141-173, 2021 (Hakemli Dergi)

The purpose of this study is to identify the English language learning difficulties. 2317

secondary and high school students from the state schools of the Ministry of Education in

Ankara were included in this study. The data was gathered through the Foreign Language

Learning Difficulties Scale (LLDS) developed (2017) by researchers and semi structured

interviews. Mixed-method research was used which utilizes both quantitative and qualitative

methods. Quantitative data was analyzed through SPSS, a statistical program for social sciences

research, and the qualitative data was analyzed through MaxQda 12, software for qualitative

and mixed methods research with 70 students in total. It was found that 7

and 11

grade

students had high levels of difficulties in learning English. When the difficulties between the

two grades were compared, it was found that 7

grade students had lower levels of language

learning difficulties than 11

grade students. According to the semi structured interview results,

the most common difficulties experienced by students were insufficient communicative

practice in textbooks, insufficient use of visual and audio instruments in the classrooms,

insufficient practices of listening and speaking abilities, lack of language learning teaching

strategies, low self-confidence, crowded classrooms and disciplinary problems.

Keywords: Foreign language learning, curriculum and instruction, mixed methods research,

foreign language learning difficulties scale, scale development study.

The Ethical Committee Approval: Ethical consent was obtained from Hacettepe University

Ethical Committee, No: 35853172/ 433-1058, Date: 08.04.2016 and from the Provincial

Directorate of National Education-Ankara, No: 14588481-605.99-E.5149315, Date:

09.05.2016.