Factors Affecting the Secondary School Students’ Attitude towards Learning English Language: A Case of a Higher Secondary School in Southern Bhutan

Abstract

This study explored the factors affecting higher secondary school students’ attitudes toward learning English as a second language in southern Bhutan. The study intended to investigate factors affecting the attitudes of Bhutanese secondary students towards learning English as the researcher could not locate any studies done by Bhutanese in Bhutan. The study is conducted to identify the factors that influence the attitudes of secondary school students toward English learning and their performance in English. The study employed the convergent parallel mixed-methods design guided by a pragmatic paradigm. The quantitative data consists of randomly administered questionnaires to 302 students from class IX to XII. The qualitative data was collected through focus group students and semi-structured interview teachers. The study employed simple descriptive and inferential statistical analysis for quantitative data and thematic analysis (Braun & Clark, 2018) for qualitative analysis. The findings indicated that secondary school students possess both positive and negative attitudes toward learning English as a second language. Further, the finding indicated that educational factors such as the classroom environment and classroom teaching-learning strategies are found to have influences on students' attitudes towards learning English. The finding also revealed that the authentic and appropriate textbooks and the use of interesting varieties of teaching-learning materials by teachers affect the attitudes of students towards learning English. The home and community environment such as parental support and the opportunities to speak English in the community are also found to have an impact on student's attitudes toward learning English. The finding implies that a positive attitude towards the English language enhances language learning and negative attitude detriments the learning process.
 The study recommends the school and the teachers create a comfortable and conducive classroom environment and implement appropriate teaching-learning strategies and materials to enhance the positive attitude of students toward learning English as a second language. The study also recommends parents and the community support and encourage the use of English to enhance students' positive attitudes toward learning English.