Exploring English Language Learning Difficulties Faced by Algerian Third-Year Primary School Pupils: Case of Ben Ammar Fatima School -Ain Youcef

Abstract

Many countries in the world wanted to keep pace with globalization, so they moved toward the adoption of the English language in school institutions because English was the main consequence of globalization, and has become a lingua franca. Algeria is a case in point which has recently adopted the teaching of the English language in primary schools starting from the third level. The present research aims to know the difficulties faced by third-year pupils in learning English and how to overcome these difficulties. To reach these aims, an exploratory case study was conducted at Ben Ammar Fatima Primary School (Ain Youcef). Two research instruments were used for this study (classroom observation and teacher interview) and the selected sample was two EFL teachers and third-year primary school pupils. The collected data were analysed qualitatively using two procedures: content and thematic analyses. The results obtained using the previous research instruments indicated that most third-year pupils have a problem with pronunciation and incorrect spelling of some English words which can be influenced by their first foreign language. Although teaching English to third-year primary school pupils faced many challenges , it has many benefits and it will need some time to be adjusted.