Factors that determine the acquisition of English as a second language among adult learners in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Abstract Despite the fact that English language is included in the school curriculum of the government schools and it is taught right throughout the school education, the proficiency in English among the majority of Sri Lankan adults remains unsatisfactory (Seefa,2017). This thesis aimed at exploring the factors affecting acquisition of a non-native language specifically focusing on the factors affecting on acquisition of English as a second language (ESL) among Sri Lankan adults. The study examined the socio-economic background of the learner, exposure towards the second language (L2) received by the learner, motivation of the learner to study the L2 and the ESL teaching approaches received by the learner in the process of learning English as a L2, in order examine the impact of these four factors on the ESL acquisition among Sri Lankan adults. The data of the research was obtained through the use of quantitative method in the form of a questionnaire answered by 30 Sri Lankan adult respondents. The findings of this study suggest that there is a relationship between these four factors and the ESL acquisition of the learners.