Challenges faced by University Students in Foreign Language Acquisition

Abstract

University students encounter various challenges in learning a second or a foreign language. The research intends to figure out those challenges in making headway with the new target language from conversational to mastery. In fact, we separately plan to pinpoint the undergoing challenges with respect to skills of speaking and writing in accordance with the levels of language fluency at the moment. For this purpose, the methodology of this cohort and retrospective study is comprised of a structured questionnaire to be answered by “Beginner” and “Intermediate” students of foreign languages. The respondents are chosen effectively focusing on both Sri Lankan and Foreign students of university in order to acquire high accuracy in conclusions. The initial portion of the questionnaire focuses on identifying the student relative to the foreign language they learn, determining the level of fluency. The rest of the questionnaire is substantially directed upon the challenges they have confronted in writing and speaking the target language and their subjective solutions. The methodology, strategies of overcoming these challenges they face in beginner and intermediate levels in order to advance the language are the vital concerns of the research. How the resemblances of a known language can help to proceed for the comprehension of the new, whether it be the learner’s first language or another, is to be examined. Therefore the collection of obtained data is to be analyzed to determine the challenges at certain points of learning and to provide solutions to ease the process.