English Language Learning Difficulty

of Korean Students in a Philippine

Multidisciplinary University
Guzman, et. al.
University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

Group 2:
Nurosifa Awaliah
Kartika Ningrum
Warda Rahmita

Abstract
This study analyzed the English language learning difficulties
which takes 13 Korean students in Philippine Multidisciplinary
University as the sample related to their sociolinguistic
competence, motivation in using the English language, and
cultural factors.

Introductio
n

What is the reason?

?
?

To analyze what and how learning

difficulties is experienced by Koreans in
Philippines.

Previous studies mentioned:

Hellsten & Prescott (2004)
It is quite difficult for foreign students to adjust to a new
environment
Poor English and critical thinking
skills
Failure to participate in the
collaborative learning mode

Differences in cultural
communication,
academic literacy
styles and expectation
of rote learning

Kim & Margolis (2000)

Korean students have had very little English
listening and speaking experience .
Finch (2001)
The difficulties of Korean students in speaking
the English language due to lack of
confidence and lack of effort.

Method
Method: Descriptive qualitative
Study Site
Subjects
13 Korean students: 7 females and 6 males
Data Collection Procedure

A robotfoto

Interviews

Data Analysis

Analyze, categorize and the interview result

Findings
Related

to Sociolinguistic and cultural factors

 Motivation

Discussion
Language Learning Difficulty :
Sociolinguistic

Competence

Requires the ability to communicate in the target language

Koreans difficulty in learning English is their exposure to Filipino
students speak L1

Cultural Factor

Cultural differences
Philippine Students

Korean Students

Individual

Counterpart/ Group

Speaking up

Listening to teacher

Student-centered approach

Difficulty to criticism

Active in discussion class

Passive in discussion class

Cross culture communication

Korean hierarchically structured relationship
(gap between literally being said and what is the meant)

Motivation
Integrative

Motivation

Want to learn a language because they want to familiar, and

culture.
Instrumental

Motivation

Want to learn a language for the purpose such as a job, get

a salary or graduation.

Conclusion
This study succeeded to identify the English language learning
difficulties of Korean students in a multidisciplinary university.
Sociolinguistic

competence

Motivation
Cultural

factors

Translation

of the Filipino language to English language is not

fully comprehended by Korean