Relationship between Learning Modes and the Beginners' Success in English

Abstract

BangkokIt is widely accepted that success in learning a foreign language depends on various learner variables. The study of the relationships between success in learning English of beginners and learner variables will pave ways for preparation of materials and the upgrading of teaching and learning processes to best suit the learners.Researchers in Europe, America and Asia have discovered that learner variables which influence language achievement are composed of language aptitude, attitudes towards the teachers and the target cultures, general intelligence, verbal ability, nonverbal ability, and learning strategies. Besides these variables, modes of learning also explain success in learning a foreign language.To investigate the influence of the student modes of learning or their preferences for modes of learning, a group of researchers at the Chulalongkom University conducted a research on a group of Thai students who were beginners of English. In addition to modes of learning, other student variables were also included in the study in order to find the interrelationships as well as the intrarelationships that might exist among student English achievement, other student variables and learning modes. A research grant from the Thai government made this project possible.The research was conducted with the purposes to (1) study the relationships between the beginners' success in learning English through an individualized approach and the modes of learning which were defined as consisting of visual, auditory and both visual and auditory modes combined ; (2) study the relationships between the beginners' success in English and the other learner variables comprising language aptitude, attitudes and motivation, non-verbal I.Q., learning strategies and years of studying English, and (3) study the intra-relationships among the student variables which included learning modes and their combined strength in influencing student success in learning English through individualized programs.The research has the following hypotheses: 1. The following learning modes are related to achievement in Eng-

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