Factors that Affect the Achievement of Students Learning English, Scripture School Department of Education in Chiang Rai

Abstract

            The objective of this research is to 1) identify the main factors that affected English learning achievement of students on 21 Buddhist scripture schools, department of education, in Chiang Rai province, 2) to analyze the relationships between factors affecting and learning achievement of the students, 3) identify the appropriated teaching method skills for English teachers on Buddhist scripture school in Chiang Rai province, in order to help them improve their teaching skills that will result in the best learning achievement for their students. This research includes a sample of 105 students from the total population of 151 students from the 21 schools, 21 teachers (six monks and 15 lay persons), and 23 students who participated in a 2 days English camp organized as part of the research. The research methodology includes three research methods: 1) quantitative method using a questionnaire to obtain information from the students, the teachers, and other related personnel, 2) qualitative method through interviews with the subjects and field observations of actual classroom activities, and 3) action research by organizing an English camp for the 23 students at one of the schools, The findings of the research indicate that the major factor that has a negative impact on learning achievements of the students is lack of practices in the four skills: namely, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, which are important for acquiring competence in the use of English.

            From the research results it was found that, negatively factor affects students' learning and development of English is the lack of practice in all four learning skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. In addition, from interviews with individual students (by sampling) found that most of students lack a good foundation in learning English at the primary school level. They also lack of motivation and inspiration to learning English which directly and negatively affect to their English learning achievements at the Buddhist scripture schools.