Non-intellectual Causes For English Learning Difficulties-A Study Of Migrant Children In Junior High Schools

This thesis takes a look at the problem of English learning difficulties that besets a special group of children at many of the country's urban high schools who have come with their parents from the rural areas to work and live in the cities. Basing my study on the experience that I have at Suzhou's No. 12 Middle School where I teach, I draw attention to what non- intellectual factors such as motivation, interest, attitude, etc. can do to handicap migrant children when they try to learn a foreign language. Findings in the research into the present situation in my school indicates that in state-run schools where many migrant children study, intelligence quotient is often not the problem that causes their English learning difficulties. Instead, students from migrant families, English learning difficulties often come either as result of low-motivation or because they lack interest and proper learning habits. I argue, therefore, that school authorities and teachers alike should know these students for what they are and work harder to ensure that their teaching is consistently interesting and attractive and that these students do not get seen as simply unteachable.