Difficulties in Learning English by EFL Students in Turkey

The purpose of this study is to identify the English language learning difficulties. 2317 secondary and high school students from the state schools of the Ministry of Education in Ankara were included in this study. The data was gathered through the Foreign Language Learning Difficulties Scale (LLDS) developed (2017) by researchers and semi structured interviews. Mixed-method research was used which utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data was analyzed through SPSS, a statistical program for social sciences research, and the qualitative data was analyzed through MaxQda 12, software for qualitative and mixed methods research with 70 students in total. It was found that 7th and 11th grade students had high levels of difficulties in learning English. When the difficulties between the two grades were compared, it was found that 7th grade students had lower levels of language learning difficulties than 11th grade students. According to the semi structured interview results, the most common difficulties experienced by students were insufficient communicative practice in textbooks, insufficient use of visual and audio instruments in the classrooms, insufficient practices of listening and speaking abilities, lack of language learning teaching strategies, low self-confidence, crowded classrooms and disciplinary problems.