A Study of the Problems of Learning Teaching English in Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

Abstract

The research entitled “A Study of the Problems of Learning and Teaching English in Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University” was of objectives, namely, 1) to study factors associated with the problems of learning and teaching English including the efficiency of teaching, techniques and methods of teaching, teaching technology and achievements of teaching; 2) to study the problems of learning and teaching English; 3) to comparatively study the problems of learning and teaching English according to personal information; 4) to study the relationship between factors associated with the problems of learning and teaching English and the problems of learning teaching English; and 5) to suggest solutions of the problems of learning English of students and teaching English of lecturers. The sample used in the study included 300 students of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University both in the head quarter and campuses: the campuses of Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Balisuksa Buddhakhosa in Nakhon Pathom, Surin, Nong Kai, Chiang Mai, Payao and Phrae. The purposive sampling method was used. The tool of data collection was a questionnaire. The statistics used for analyzing data included an Independent Samples t-test, F-test (One-way ANOVA), Fisher’s Least-Significant Difference (LSD) and the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Findings were as follows: 1) From the analysis of the personal factors, it was found that the majority of respondents were novices with below 20 years of age. They were students studying in the first–fourth year class and belonged to both main campus and various nationwide campuses. 2) The factors associated with the problems of learning and teaching English, on the whole, were in the moderate level. When considering for each aspect, it was found that the teaching efficiency and teaching achievements were in the moderate level with the mean values of 3.29 and 3.11 respectively and teaching techniques and methods and use of teaching technology were also in the moderate level with same mean values of 2.53. 3) On the whole, the English teaching problems of the lecturers in Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya university were in the average level ( =3.45). When considering for each aspect, it was revealed that the problem of their punctuality came first ( =4.69), problem of their readiness in English came second ( =4.62), and their problems of English teaching with direct method came third ( =2.39). 4) From the comparative study of the problems of learning and teaching English it was found that the respondents with different status had a significantly different opinions on the problems of learning and teaching English at 0.05 level. The respondents with different qualifications, and campuses had no different opinions on the problems of learning-teaching English. 5) From the analysis of the relationship between factors associated with the problems of learning English and the problems of teaching English, it was found that the use of teaching technology (X3) was positively significantly related to the English teaching problems of the lecturers in Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University at 0.01 level. The English teaching achievements (X4) was negatively and significantly related to the English teaching problems of the lecturers in Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University at 0.01 level, and the English teaching efficiency (X1) and English teaching techniques and methods (X2) were not related to the English teaching problems of the lecturers in Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University