Background study on English Second Language learners

Background study on English Second Language learners

The chapter introduces the reader to an overview of the topic being discussed. The chapter being the initial introduction of the reader to the subject and what is to be covered, it means that the chapter will do so by covering various topics. The topics to be covered at this point are essential, and the information posted will be well substantiated so that the reader can have a clear understanding of the topic being discussed and the one that will be researched. Moreover, it is at this chapter that the reader gets to know and understand why the topic in question is essential and requires immediate attention from relevant individuals. Since the information to be posted at this point is way more and large, the chapter will be designed in a manner that the right aspect and issue is covered at the right time. For this reason, the chapter will focus on discussing the background of the study, statement of the problem, the purpose of the project, objectives of the project, research questions, justification of the project, limitation and delimitations of the projects, and assumptions in question. All this will be done so that to give a reader a proper layout of how the project flows.

1.1 Background of the Study

In the contemporary world, education is known and believed to be one of the essential tools one has to have so that to be able to compete in the rapidly changing times correctly. Education in the world is conducted in various languages, which are locally understood by the people in that particular geographic area. The fact that the world is diverse and is in a way characterized by different cultures, it means that the world has various languages in which education is taught to its people. Taking an example of the United States, Canada, and England, the native language is English, where all activities are conducted through English. All education systems and activities are conducted in English as it is the national language of the named nations. On the other hand, there are some countries where they use a different language as their national language. Taking an example of China, Chinese is their national language, and a more significant percentage of their schools and activities taking place in the country use Chinese in communication. It is the same case when it comes to Arab nations, which use Arabic as their national and official language. Arabic is used in almost all activities regarding communication and even in their education systems.

However, with globalization rapidly taking place, it is, in a way turning the world into a global village, which means that communications and operations are being improved and made easier among different parties. Although globalization is currently transforming the world into a community, there are a few obstacles that, in a way, try to hinder the move. For instance, communication is hindered due to the language barrier. All this is so, as not everyone talks the same language. It is for this reason that English has evolved and taken a toll to be an official and international language. It is for this reason that most people are required to learn English as most nations are slowly adopting it as a language of communication. When an individual learns and starts using English, they get to learn and adapt to English as a second language. It is only the native English speakers who use English as their first and original language.

Just as seen before, globalization is turning the world into a village by integrating communication and, at the same time, creating avenues where people can quickly move from one nation to the other for various reasons. Among the many reasons that people may be transferring from one country to the other is to get education or further on their current attained education. In such a situation, these students will be learning their preferred courses using English, as this is the only way to make everyone equal. This is so as in the classes, there will be students who are native speakers and other students from different parts of the world who are native speakers of a different language. English is used at this point, as it is the universal language that everyone can understand. The students who are not native speakers are recognized as English Second Language learners (ESL).

Despite English being an international language, various issues have been reported, which affect ESL learners. Masoud Hashemi (2011) argued that learners experienced different types of anxiety when they are learning a new language. Learning a new language makes an individual have a feeling that they are going to be bilingual, and at the same time, they are not sure if they will be right in the language (Hashemi, 2011). According to research by Hashemi, the introduction of a new language creates a foreign environment that creates mixed reactions among the learners. Taking an example of learners undertaking an English class, they tend to think and believe that they will make it in life, or rather they will now be able to attain international communication standards. On the other hand, other learners get nervous as they are not sure if they will make to achieve the required standards.

Bouras Holt (2007) conducted research on anxiety and how it affects an individual in question. Holt argues that anxiety can have a different impact on an individual based on the variable that triggered the onset of anxiety (Bouras N, 2007). According to Bouras, anxiety may escalate gradually, and if not dealt with accordingly, it may become fatal. Various causes have been reported which are related to anxiety and how they affect an individual in question. Davison (2008), explains how different factors can trigger stress in an individual. By focusing on ESL students, various factors can trigger the onset of anxiety. The class environment is one aspect that can create room for anxiety onset for ESL students (Davison, 2008). When a student is not confident and courageous about their English grasp, they may get an anxiety attack as they are not sure with the outcome.

Following several cases reported of students committing or rather involving in activities that put their lives in danger, it was noted that all of them are linked to anxiety. A large percentage of students at this point was found to be FSL students. Moreover, it has also been noted that a significant number of ESL students in most schools are recording lower results academically. Sayit Ahmet Capan and Harun Semsek (2012) argue that anxiety is rapidly taking over ESL students as they are often mocked by EFL students over and over. The mocking makes the students have an anxiety attack, which, in a way, makes them feel inferior in the presence of native English students (Capan & Simsek, 2012). All this is one of the reasons that are responsible for all cases reported that affect ESL students.

Following the rapidly increasing cases of anxiety in schools, the study is conducted so that it can be able to come up with a proper solution that can be used to deal with the issue. Also, the study aims at addressing the problem by creating awareness of the case so that in case of any problem or suspicion by anyone, they should feel free to seek immediate help. Seeking medical advice is essential as it helps prevent adverse outcomes that may be associated with anxiety.

In the process of getting answers and solutions to the issue, a critical analysis will be conducted that will be able to come up with a viable solution. All this will be conducted following proper analysis and plan that will take into consideration all the necessary factors so that to be able to come up with a viable solution. A proper plan will include strategies that will involve all actions that relate to anxiety and the ones that can create a solution.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Social anxiety is one aspect that has significant impacts on anyone at any time. It all depends on the current situation and aspects that may affect or trigger the onset of anxiety. Critically looking at the current situation, it is clear that anxiety is affecting students in various schools all over the country. Out of the students affected by anxiety, ESL students stand out to be the most affected lot. ESL students tend to have constant and progressive anxiety attacks when in class. ESL students are known to be affected as they face various issues that, in a way, make them feel less of students or rather feel not appreciated by their native English speakers. It is for this reason that most reported cases of social anxiety attacks in class are from ESL students. With the increasing number of cases said, it is clear that the ESL students are the most affected individuals in the country.

Over the years, cases have been reported of anxiety attacks, which have, in a way, been dealt with, and others have escalated to extreme aspects. According to Statistics Canada (2013), cases of social anxiety in schools among ESL students have been on the rise in the previous years. The only known cases are the ones reported, which means other cases have not been reported due to different reasons (Statistics Canada, 2013 ). All this is a clear indication that social anxiety is slowly affecting youths in schools. Statistics Canada further explains examples of adverse impacts that are the outcomes of extreme cases of social anxiety. The adverse consequences presented is a clear indication of the result of the issue if not dealt with accordingly.

The information posted by Statistical Canada only covers cases that were reported, and others discovered or detected by experts in school. There are instances where the cases have gone out of hand and the extreme outcomes reported. Some of the severe cases reported are where students have posed a danger to other students in the class, while others have gone to the extent of even trying to take their lives. All these are extreme impacts that have taken place on people who were not discovered early enough and treated. With such an incident, it is clear that there is a possibility of other extreme cases taking place is the situation is not deal with immediately. Furthermore, if a proper solution is not taken into consideration, social anxiety may spread all along where it will take control of ESL learners and latter own slowly get to affect the native speakers. The issue may only get to this level only and only when there is nothing significant being done to find a solution to deal with the situation.

Based on the speculations and forecast of how the problem is in a way going to affect specific individuals and the outcomes, it is clear that a sound solution is required with an immediate effect. Since the issue is, in a way, concentrated in schools, it means that awareness needs to be created in all learning institutions so that students are aware of the dangers of social anxiety in class. Since the issue is rampant and is quickly taking effect, it means that a solution to the issue needs to be found immediately without wasting any single time. Finding a solution to the problem is essential as it will help in reducing the chances of extreme aftermath cases of social anxiety. In so doing, a significant number of students and even the general people will be saved and safe from any adverse impacts of social anxiety.

1.3 Purpose of the Project

In light of the mentioned cases of ESL students affected by social anxiety, the rational focus of the study is to find out the experiences of students who have had social anxiety in school. The context is to provide a proper understanding of how social anxiety affects ESL students in schools and, at the same time, come up with a rational solution that can help mitigate the problem. All this will help in making sure that the right answer is found and put out so that to be able to maintain several other people who may, in a way, fall in the trap.

1.4 Objectives of the Project

In the process of discussion, the research will base its arguments on various objectives. The objectives are essential as they form the base of the research discussion and, at the same time, get to give guidance on what is to be expected and accomplished. The research objective at this point includes the following.

1. To identify the factors that cause social anxiety in general.
2. To identify specific causes of social anxiety among ESL students.
3. To identify and analyze the experiences of ESL students who have and had social anxiety at one point.
4. To identify all possible impacts that may result from social anxiety.
5. To identify possible solutions that could help deal with the already existing cases at the same time, try to reduce new cases of social anxiety attacks in schools.

Research Questions The primary purpose of the study is to conduct a phenomenal study of the lived experiences of ESL students on social anxiety in class. In support of the same, some various other aspects and issues will also be dealt with in the process of finding a solution to the primary question. In the process of answering the fundamental question, other essential research questions will also be explained as they pose to be of significant help to the research. Among the questions to be answered all along with the research include;

1. What are the factors that cause social anxiety?
2. What are the specific factors that cause social anxiety among ESL students?
3. What are some of the experiences of ESL students who have and had social anxiety attack?
4. What are the possible impacts that may result from social anxiety attack?
5. What are the possible solutions that could help in the process of dealing with already existing cases and trying to reduce new cases of an anxiety attack?
   1. Justification of the Project

Based on reports posted by Statistics Canada (2013), it is clear that Canada is facing a significant threat of many ESL students facing or rather falling victim to social anxiety. For instance, Toronto is the biggest and the most populous city in Canada, which means it has a significant number of people coming in from other parts of the world. Since Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, it means that it has a substantial number of learning institutions that not only take in local students but also bring in international students. When it comes to international students, it means that both native English speakers and ESL students are admitted to schools in Toronto. It is, therefore, clear that Toronto is Cosmopolitan.

With the high rate of students from all over the world who come to learn in Toronto, there is a high chance that ESL students face discrimination in one way or the other. All this comes in place when ESL students are unable to express themselves with fluent English. It is at this point that most ESL students end to get anxiety attacks while in class. The attacks are known to be triggered by a factor that will create a certain feeling in the student, which latter creates the onset of anxiety. Critically looking at schools in Canada as a whole, a more significant percentage is consisted of native English speaking students. This is so because most Canadians are native English speakers. It is for this reason that the number of native-speaking students in school is always higher than ESL speakers. All this is a clear indication that there are high chances of ESL students getting attacked by social anxiety from time to time. With such a situation in most Canadian schools, chances of anxiety attacks among students are always above average, which means that cases of social anxiety have a higher rate of occurring.

Following a high rise in cases of anxiety attacks on ESL students, which has also started affecting the native speakers, questions have started being asked by concerned stakeholders. The questions and concerns raised are all because of the interest they have on the status of both native and ESL students in schools. It is for this reason that well-organized research will be conducted where appropriate data will be gathered that will be used in designing proper strategies that will be used to deal with social anxiety in schools. The study will be designed in a manner that it will be able to analyze all the factors leading to the onset of social anxiety at all stages. The study will also conduct a thorough analysis of all the strategies put in place by the concerned stakeholders. The study will determine the availability and efficiency of how the strategy will address the social anxiety issue. All this will have a common aim that is to discuss and adequately deal with the social anxiety issue.

1.7 Limitations of the Project

The fact that the research aims at conducting a phenomenological study of lived experiences of ESL students on social anxiety, there are numerous limitations that the study is going to face. To start with, gathering primary information regarding the experiences of social anxiety was not an easy task as not everyone was willing to cooperate as they were not just comfortable talking about it. The few individuals who were ready to talk about the issue were not able to give accurate and detailed information about social anxiety and the experiences they have had all along. With such information, it was not easy to deduce and come up with credible results and solutions for the issue at hand. Moreover, it was hard to get a sitting appointment with teachers who have had experience teaching classes where ESL students get frequent social anxiety attacks. All this was so as most of the teachers were not available, while others were not willing as they thought they might be victimized in one way the other. With all the above limitations on the project, most activities were either halted, which latter prolonged the whole process. Nonetheless, the study has credible data from reliable sources from Canada and other well-known international data sources.

1.8 Delimitations

Critically looking at the entire process of researching questions, various factors affected the credibility and success of the study. Some were unavoidable to the point that researchers had to look for an alternative for the same, while others were friendly to the point that researchers had control. Among the factors that the researcher had control and was able to control and affected the research significantly are as follows.

1. Based on the research at hand, data collected had to be managed accordingly by the researchers. Therefore, survey instruments multiple-choice items that required direct and short answers.
2. Since the nature of the research required a large number of potential participants in the study population, the population in the study focused on members in Toronto.
   1. Assumptions

The process of data collection and interpretations is an intense process that includes various activities and actions. All the activities and actions taken or rather incorporated at this point are all aimed at making the final research credible and applicable to the issue in question. However, in the same process, some assumptions are made so that to be able to incorporate all the essential aspects of the project. Having assumptions while conducting research is an essential aspect as it helps in making sure that the final results are standard and, at the same time, practical. For this reason, the project assumed that;

1. All learning institutions in Toronto have and followed the same learning plan provided by the government.
2. Both private and public going students had equal chances of being attacked by social anxiety in class.
3. The impact of social anxiety in the learning institution in Toronto is more of the same.
   1. Dissertation Structure

The dissertation is organized into five chapters, as can be seen in Figure 1.1. The five sections are designed in a manner that they consist of structured information that carefully directs a reader through the research. Each chapter has information that is directly linked to each other, thus being able to create a sense of flow. To start with, chapter one introduces the dissertation topic and gives background information on the same topic. It further goes into explaining and outlining research questions, aims and objectives, contribution and limitations of the project, and the structure of the project. Chapter two is broad as it conducts intense research on various literature sources that is relevant to the topic of the study. The chapter combines works of multiple scholars who have written different information on the research topic. The chapter covers several topics that all aim at discussing and explaining the lived experiences of ESL students on social anxiety in class.

Chapter Three covers the research methods used in the collection and interpretation of data for the research. The chapter incorporates several factors that are all aimed at making sure that the data collection and analysis is viable and applicable. Among its discussion is research design, target audience, sampling size and sampling technique, research methods, and validity of the research methods. All these are among the significant aspects that are aimed at coming up with a robust and practical solution to the issue in question.

Chapter Four covers the experimental work conducted for the dissertation. The chapter presents statistical figures that are all based on the data collected for the study. The information posted in this chapter largely depends on the presentation of data collected. Apart from the presentation of data collected, it also posts a summary of quantitative findings. Chapter Five outlines and discuss the overall conclusions and solutions, recommendation and gives suggestions for further research.