Abstract:
This study examines the challenges faced by undergraduates in an English
medium learning environment and its impact on their academic performance.
Language serves as a crucial medium for education. In many countries,
including Sri Lanka, English is recognized as the second language. In most of
the Sri Lankan universities, courses are conducted in the medium of English.
This paper aims to investigate the challenging learning environment and
the factors contributing to students’ inadequate language proficiency, which
affects their academic performance. Both qualitative and quantitative data
were collected through a questionnaire while a test covering their knowledge
of grammar and writing was administered to first-year undergraduates
from a sample of 389 students at Uva Wellassa University A questionnaire
consisting of thirty-five questions was distributed among hundred second
year undergraduates. The test was conducted simultaneous to the English
Pre-intensive course conducted annually for each batch of students. The
majority of the students (60%) face writing challenges, while the study reveals
that (80%) of the students had no prior English-medium education, and more
than (90%) reported that the lack of English proficiency affects their GPA. The
findings highlight that students’ English proficiency is significantly influenced
by their secondary education. A lack of English language exposure and
various linguistic challenges including difficulties in language learning and
communication, including grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation further
impede their academic progress at the university level. The study uncovered
a significant correlation between low English language proficiency and low
GPA of students. Conducting motivational English Language programs
for secondary learners, improving English language learning methods in
schools, facilitating the undergraduates with more English study programs
and resources within the university, providing the students with technical
glossaries, and improving learner-centered education can be suggested as
the main solutions to the problems found.
