Challenge Of Learning English As A Second Language: A Comparative Study Between English Medium And Public Primary Schools In Ilala Municipality

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges which primary schools learner‟s face when learning English language by comparing between learners in English medium (EMPS) and Public primary schools (PPS) in Tanzania: Ilala municipal in Dar es salaam become the case study. The study incorporated two primary schools; English medium primary schools which use English as the language of instruction and second, was the public primary schools in which Kiswahili is used as language of instruction. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches in data collection and analysis. Two types f data collection techniques were used such as observation and questionnaire. Data were analysed by using advanced excel program. The study consisted of 84 respondents (i.e. 12 teachers and 72 students) from both categories of schools. Specifically, the study aimed at identifying the challenges faced by both English teachers and learners in the Kiswahili medium schools, identifying the challenges faced by both English language teachers and learners in the English medium schools and the last was to compare and contrast the challenges faced by teachers and learners in two school systems. The findings revealed that, learners and teachers in Public primary schools face more challenges compared to students in English medium schools. These challenges are available learning materials, classroom environments, classroom linguistic culture, classroom pedagogical culture and school linguistic culture.