Factors affecting the learning of a second language: a study on the English learning of non Chinese speakingstudents in Hong Kong

Abstract

Influenced by Robert Gardner’s socio-educational model, this research is focused on investigating the factors affecting the non Chinese speaking (NCS) students in learning English as a second language in a sociolinguistic perspective. This study aims to find out (1) the learning difficulties that non Chinese speaking students come across in English; (2) the sociolinguistic factors affecting the Hong Kong born NCS students in English learning in a multi-cultural primary school; (3) the sociolinguistic factors affecting the newly immigrated NCS students in English learning in a multi-cultural primary school and (4) to compare the similarities and differences of (2) and (3).

Semi-structured interviews were the instruments used for data collection. Findings of the study showed that (1) the non Chinese speaking students are facing difficulties in their English learning; (2) the sociolinguistic factors affecting both the Hong Kong born and newly immigrated non Chinese speaking students are similar. Discussion on external influences and individual differences was made and practical implications for teaching and implementation of languages policies were suggested.