Problems and Obstacles in Learning English as a Foreign Language

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the main problems and difficulties of non-English major students at Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, and to make subsequent recommendations. The approach has been to provide a questionnaire to 520 students from a broad range of disciplines at Kasetsart University to gain details of their main difficulties in learning English. The findings indicate that, writing was generally thought to the biggest problem area followed by listening. Results also indicate that the great majority of students do not study or practice English on a daily basis. This study concludes with recommendations for ‘Writing’ courses, focusing on basic grammar structures to be introduced and for a comprehensive ‘Listening’ course to be added to the curriculum. The question of student motivation is considered as pivotal in this discussion and the study ends with a call for further research to be conducted in this field.