Causes of poor academic performance in English at OL in Anuradhapura district

Abstract

The research focused on the factors affecting the poor performance in English at O/L in the government schools in Anuradhapura district. According to the Sri Lankan school curriculum, the students in grade 3 through 13 are supposed to take English as a compulsory subject. The study mainly focused on the level of English performance and the reasons for the poor performance. The primary data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and case study methods, and the secondary data were collected through result sheets and annual statistical reports. The identified causes were lack of interest, poor attitudes and beliefs, poor teaching methodology, social context, contribution of the family, habits, teachers’ qualifications, teaching materials, and learning period at homes, and economic condition as the reasons for this problem. At the end of the study, the researcher will recommend a few suggestions to mitigate the poor performance of O/L students in English in government schools in Anuradhapura district by improving teaching methodologies and materials, students’ knowledge, vocabulary, basic language skills, increasing activities given by the teachers, removing the differences in the location of the schools, and arouse their interest in learning English language. Through these recommendations, the researcher hopes to reduce this poor performance of O/L students in English in Anuradhapura district.