Learning a Second Language with Success - Dissertation Example

? Proposal Errors in Second Language Learning for Arabic (Saudi) People May Background Learning a second language requires a lot of dedication, practicality, inspiration and intellect. There are several advantages why people learn a second language. Some of the reasons include migration to another country or location, visiting friends and relatives, if going to work in a foreign country or in a location where inhabitants are not your natives. When one is travelling, he/she meets people not of his/her language and the need for effective communication if required. When one is doing a research work, the knowledge of another language is key for reliable and valid results. At times also one is forced to have the knowledge of another language after a change of culture, religion or when one wants to understand how others think. The errors encountered while trying to understand a second language are dependent on the method (s) of acquisition. Learning is not as faster as being taught in class. On the best possible way to teach a second language, several errors are realized while teaching a second language and thus the context should be set through the adoption of several teachings methods with more emphasis on the topic, the presenter and the setting. There is very little evidence on the errors experienced while trying to learn a second language. Statement of the Problem There is very little literature if any on errors of learning a second language and hence this proposal. However, Krashen, S. D. (1981) in his research study title principles and practice in second language learning points out that learning a new language depends on the feeling of correctness. Krashen developed several hypotheses and tried to prove them qualitatively arguing that quantitative research design may not give all that it is expected as directed by the research questions. To Krashen, the errors encountered while trying to understand a second language are dependent on the method (s) of acquisition. Learning is not as faster as being taught in class. Cook, V. (2000) in support of Krashen’s arguments points that learning a second language with success depends on the willingness and ability to graps the first language. To Cook, the in-ability to learn the first language means that learning a second language may be difficult. To gain a deeper understanding of the perceived errors in learning a second language, Cook employed the use of a sample from an entire population of non-English students in a linguist setting using stratified sampling for uniformity of the results. They were then required to read aloud several English words while recording their different scents. Cook was able to detect that, those that had acquired the English language by being taught has grasped it with finality while those that had learned on themselves were not that proficient. Banes (2002) in his research on the best possible way to teach a second language sums up saying that several errors are realized while teaching a second language and thus the context should be set through the adoption of several teachings methods with more emphasis on the topic, the presenter and the setting. The above citations are proof that there is very little evidence on the errors experienced while trying to learn a second language. Aims and Objectives The aims of the proposed study include; Establishing the impact of second language learning among Saudis; and Gauging perceptions of Saudis in relation to second language learning. This will be aimed at; Identifying the errors involved in learning a second language; Enabling policy makers to take a holistic approach in the learning systems; Identify key hindrances to second learning; and Proposing strategies/policies to the education sector; Sensitizing Saudis on the advantages of second language learning and the common errors made. Research Questions In the conducting the research, the researcher aims at answering the following research questions; Are Saudis aware of the advantages of learning a second language and its impacts; What are the perceptions of Saudis in relation to another language? Are there policies/strategies on second language learning and there role in improving perceptions? What is making Saudis to adopt the second language learning habits? and What strategies/policies can be employed to improve second language learning errors? Methodology This will be a qualitative report and will employ a sample to draw inferences about the target population of the entire second language learning Saudis. The study sample of 100 will be selected using purposive sampling. In purposive sampling, the availability of participants determines the size of the sample. The researcher will ensure that equal representation in the sample is maintained. This will be ensured by allocating the sampled participants into the different FGDs using random sampling. In this case, all the participants will be accorded same chance of joining any FGD. In order to maintain validity and reliability through the sample, further, participation will be restricted. One will be required to be a Saudi and having learned a second language. Ethical Considerations In the proposed study, the researcher will ensure that all laid down procedures are followed to the later and will possibly seek clearance from the University before conducting the research. Specifically, the researcher will; Handle participants information in the most confidential manner-making sure that all information, secondary and primary, is under the care of a trustworthy person; Only responses across groups will be made public. In this case, this will only apply to the FGD responses; There will be no discrimination of all participants. All participants will be treated with utmost integrity and that all should have an equal chance of being selected; Participants will participate through free will and not through force. All participants will be given full information about the objectives of the study so as to make an informed consent; Benefits from the research will be hared equally. In this case, the impacts of the research study to the community and at individual level will be made clear; and Benefits are maximized and risks are minimized. In research study, this is referred to as beneficence and the researcher will aim at reducing possible risks involved in this research study. Data Collection Methods and Analysis Primary data collected through structured questionnaires and FGDs will form the research findings. This will enable the researcher to realize the objectives of the research inline with the aim of the proposed study as expected. Further, the research report findings will be an integral part of second language learning literature and will aim at bridging the existing gap. Methods of Analysis SPSS and EnVivo will be used to analyze the collected data. Different methods of analyses will conducted; The data will be first cleaned of outliers, influential and leverage elements; Since the collected data will be both qualitative and quantitative, several tests will be conducted. But first, normality test will be conducted to determine whether to use parametric and non-parametric tests (Arif 2006); Multinomial logistic regression will determine the odds of admitting errors in second language learning; Chi-square tests will be used to determine association and independence; EnVivo software will summarize the qualitative findings; and Findings will be represented using tables, graphs and charts. Limitations The proposal of the research study contains more expectations. However, as in any other research study, it is expected that the study will suffer certain limitations. Resources are a hindrance in any research study on human beings. This is one of the limitations envisaged in this research study. Further, the development of the research protocol, research data tools, data quality assurance, analysis, presentation and explanations will requires expertise and getting such a person is a doubting task (Bryman 2008; Marczyk 2005; Saunders and Thornhill 2003; ). Second learning language errors among Saudis are a fundamental issue and the recommendations and conclusions of this study may be rushed and thus compromising on their reliability and validity. The sample selection method, purposive sampling, may not result into an un-biased sample. The availability of the participants for this exercise is the driving force. References Argyrous, G. (2005). Statistics for Research: With a Guide to SPSS. 2nd ed. London: Sage. Arif, G. M. (2006). The Reliability and Credibility of Statistical Data for Poverty Analysis in Pakistan. Background Paper No. 2, Poverty Group, Asian Development Bank Bishop, Y. M et al. (1975). Discrete Multivariate Analysis: Theory and Practice. Creswell, J.W (2006). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Approaches, 2nd edition. Sage Publications, Inc Bryman, A. (2008). Social Research Methods. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Cook, V. (2000). Writing Systems Research. 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