Learning difficulties in English as a second language of grade 8 students in secondary school in Davao City

Abstract

This phenomenological study was conducted to explore the learning difficulties in English as a second language of the Grade 8 students in a secondary school in Davao City. A qualitative method of research was used in the investigation that dealt with the learning difficulties, coping mechanisms, and the learning support that the participants perceived beneficial as they learn the second language. The research sample consists of purposively selected Grade 8 students who were enrolled for the school year 2019- 2020. Research data were gathered through in-depth interviews and a single session of focus group discussion with the selected informants. A discourse analysis methodology was used to analyze data and to understand the conditions behind a specific problem. Findings on the difficulties of the students as they learn their L2 identified poor English vocabulary and a distracting learning environment as the leading causes of the problem. The thematic analysis further revealed that self-study and peer and teacher interaction were the coping mechanisms of choice of the students. Furthermore, inquiry on the learning support that the participants perceived beneficial to their L2 learning yielded translating to the local dialect and explicit teaching as the most advantageous. Keywords: education, learning difficulties, English as a Second Language, secondary

school, phenomenology, Philippines