Speaking in (Foreign) Tongue: Difficulties of Grade 12 Students of Letran Bataan when Learning Korean

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Learning a foreign language plays a major role in the global world. It is essential to know how globalization has affected language all over the world for a better understanding of how schools and teachers can continue to serve the growing population better (Wilson, 2017). In this study, the researchers tried to understand the reasons behind the difficulties encountered by the students in studying the Korean language as it is one of the main languages being used worldwide.

METHODS

Descriptive case study approach was used for this study. This study was intended to illustrate and to know why the respondents are having difficulty in learning a foreign language. The researchers used purposive sampling in choosing 6 from the pre-determined Grade 12 respondents. An in-depth interview using a semi-structured set of questionnaire was used to gather the necessary information.

RESULTS

The study revealed that the students perceive the importance of foreign language for its future use and that it breaks communication barriers. Also, they find the subject not interesting. However, some respondents are determined to learn despite the difficulties. Also, majority of the respondents said that learning a foreign language is difficult because they do not see its practical use. Furthermore, lack of interest, lack of immersion, and the teaching strategy are mostly the reasons for the difficulties. Because of these factors, it results in a student having a hard time embracing, learning, and understanding this language.

DISCUSSIONS

In the absence of people who speak the language, students practice using the language by talking to other students around the world through the internet or downloading a mobile application that translates one language to another. The results will be able to help the teachers to be more innovative in their teaching strategies to catch the attention and interest of the students. They are recommended to have class activities that would be more interesting and relatable to the students.