Problems Encountered during the Teaching of English in Secondary Schools

Abstract

English can be taught in different forms by teachers or methodologists. Sometimes the teaching or learning process does not lead to positive results because certain obstacles make learning English more difficult. One of the main reasons may be the chosen method, since there are still teachers who prioritize the read-and-translate principle. This is a very old approach that relies only on grammar and vocabulary, and it prevents the development of speaking and listening skills. Another problem may be the limited use of technological tools. Without proper tools used effectively, it is impossible to achieve the desired progress. In addition, when a real communicative environment is not created during lessons, artificially memorized words and phrases hinder learners from expressing themselves fluently and freely. Moreover, differences between sentence structures in the native language and in English as a second language often cause confusion for students. Nevertheless, these problems can be solved through the right choice of method and the teacher’s interactive approach.