SOLVING PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL STUDENTS’ LEARNING OF A FOREIGN LANGUAGE THROUGH MODERN METHODS

Author: Sultonmurodova Aqida

Email: aqidasultonmurodova@gmail.com

ORCID: 0009-0001-0750-7010

University: National university of Uzbekistan

Field: Foreign language and literature

Annotatsiya: Mazkur maqola maktab o’quvchilarida chet tilini o’rganish bilan bog’liq bo’lgan muammolarni zamonaviy usullar orqali hal etishga qaratilgan. Tadqiqotning maqsadi chet tilini o’rganayotgan yoshlar duch keladigan muammolarni aniqlash va ularga yechim topishdir. Tadqiqot jarayonida kuzatuv, tahlil, qiyosiy va tajriba metodlaridan foydalanildi. Tadqiqot natijasida til o’rganuvchi yoshlardagi muammolar o’rganilib, tahlil qilindi va kerakli yechimlar taqdim etildi.

Kalit so’zlar: xorijiy til, metod, kommunikatsiya, an’anaviy usul, zamonaviy usul, ta’lim sifati.

Abstract: This article is aimed at solving the problems related to learning a foreign language among schoolchildren through modern methods. The purpose of the study is to identify the problems faced by young people learning a foreign language and find solutions to them. Observational, analytical, comparative and experimental methods were used in the research process. As a result of the research, the problems of young language learners were studied, analyzed and necessary solutions were presented.

Keywords: foreign language, method, communication, traditional way, modern way, quality of education.

Аннотация: Данная статья направлена на решение проблем, связанных с изучением иностранного языка школьниками современными методами. Цель исследования – выявить проблемы, с которыми сталкивается молодежь, изучающая иностранный язык, и найти пути их решения. В процессе исследования использовались наблюдательные, аналитические, сравнительные и экспериментальные методы. В результате исследования были изучены, проанализированы проблемы молодых людей, изучающих язык, и предложены необходимые решения.

Ключевые слова: иностранный язык, метод, коммуникация, традиционный метод, современный метод, качество образования.

Introduction: In the 21st century, learning foreign languages has become one of the most important factors of global and local development. Today, knowledge of foreign languages is of incomparable importance for personal and professional development, expanding international cooperation, and increasing competitiveness. Learning a foreign language not only creates opportunities for communication but also opens up new opportunities in the fields of education, science, tourism, information technology, and culture. Also, knowing foreign languages broadens a person’s worldview and helps to understand different cultures and values. Therefore, attention to learning foreign languages is closely related to the intellectual potential and future development of society.

Although learning foreign languages is interesting, this process is not easy, especially for children of today it is considered quite laborious. Just as learning foreign languages is relevant at any time, ways to overcome difficulties in this process are as relevant as ever. This article identifies some of the problems and difficulties that school-age children face in learning a language and provides necessary recommendations for solving them. These recommendations will help young language learners learn the language easier and faster, and language teachers will work more efficiently with less effort.

Research methodology

This study was conducted among 100 randomly selected schoolchildren from within the school, aged 10-18 years, who differ in age and gender. 

Among 20 students aged 10-12, their activity and development of speaking competencies were directly observed during the lesson, based on the experimental method. 

During the lesson with 30 children aged 10-15, traditional methods and modern interactive games were used, and the results were compared using the comparative method.

An anonymous survey was conducted among 50 students aged 10-18 using a questionnaire to determine their interest in learning the language and what hinders them.

The results of the study were analyzed using SPSS 26 software.

Literature review

 Research in this area divides the obstacles encountered by students into two main groups: psychological – fear, low motivation – and methodological – outdated approaches.

Richards and T. Scholars such as Rodgers argue that the communicative methodology of language teaching is the most effective tool in overcoming the “language barrier” in students. They believe that the key to success is for the student, not the teacher, to be at the center of the lesson. Studies show that language acquisition rates increase significantly when teacher talk decreases and student talk increases to 70-80% during class.

The analysis of the literature shows that the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills remains a major problem in school education.

Research results and discussion 

the data collected as part of the study was statistically analyzed using the SPSS 26 program.

The speech activity of 20 students, observed on the basis of the experimental method, increased dynamically during the course of the lesson. According to the results of the observation:

85% of the students showed high verbal activity during the interactive stages of the lesson.

It was found that the level of formation of speech competencies increased by 22% at the final stage compared to the beginning of the lesson (p < 0.05). The effectiveness of the experiential method based on direct communication was confirmed in children of this age.

A comparative analysis of 30 students showed that modern interactive games are superior to traditional teaching methods:

When interactive games were applied: the student’s subject acquisition coefficient was 0.84.

In the traditional method: this indicator turned out to be 0.62.

The test results, conducted through SPSS, showed that interactive games increase students’ motivation to learn by 1.4 times.

The results of an anonymous survey of 50 students revealed the following key issues:

Interest level: 72% of respondents expressed a high interest in learning foreign languages.

Obstacles:

40% – Lack of a speech communication environment (linguistic barrier).

35% – Complexity of grammatical rules and boring textbooks.

25% – Psychological timidity and fear of making mistakes.

SPSS 26 analysis showed that as students get older (15-18 years old), their interest in learning a language stabilizes, but psychological barriers increase. On the contrary, it was statistically proven that it is easier to correct speech competencies in younger students (10-12 years old) through interactive methods (R² = 0.76).

Today, schoolchildren face a number of problems in learning a foreign language. Among other things, low motivation for language learning in students, insufficient vocabulary, complexity of grammatical rules, lack of practical training for the development of oral speech, as well as the predominance of traditional teaching methods are the main causes of these problems.

Traditional methods focus mainly on memorizing rules and translating, which does not sufficiently develop students’ independent thinking and free communication skills. As a result, students become hesitant to speak in a foreign language and develop a lack of self-confidence.

Modern teaching methods play a special role in overcoming these problems. In particular, the use of the communicative approach, interactive methods, information and communication technologies, role-playing games, debates, multimedia tools, mobile applications, and online platforms increases students’ interest in the lesson. Such methods make students active participants in the learning process and allow them to use the language in real-life situations.

Also, modern methods serve to complex development of students ‘ listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills. As a result, the process of learning a foreign language will be effective and interesting.

Conclusion

 In conclusion, it is important to use modern methods to solve problems in learning a foreign language among schoolchildren. Such methods increase students’ interest in the language, develop their communicative competence, and help them think independently and freely.

Therefore, the use of modern pedagogical technologies along with traditional methods in the process of teaching a foreign language, support for innovative approaches of teachers, and the organization of lessons in an interactive form are important factors in improving the quality of education.

References

1.  J.C. Richards and T.S. Rodgers, “Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching”, Cambridge university press, 2014
2.  G.D. Borich, “Effective Teaching Methods”, Pearson, 2013
3.  P.C. Brown “The Science of Successful Learning”, Harvard university press, 2014
4.  D. Lemov “Teach Like a Champion” 3.0, Jossey-Bass, 2021
5.  Sh.K.Shayakubov va R.X.Ayupov, “Interfaol ta’lim usullari”, Tashkent, 2012
6.  N.N.Azizxo’jayeva, “Pedagogik texnologiyalar va pedagogik mahorat”, Tashkent, 2006