The purpose of this study was to investigate the English language problems and
learning strategies. The study employed a survey design which involved
administering questionnaires of rating scales, using Rubin, J., & Thompson, I. (1994)
and Rebecca Oxford (1990) Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), to
measure English language problems and language learning strategies from 30 Thai
students of Mahidol University. The results of this study revealed that the most
serious problem of Thai students in English language learning is writing skills while
the barrier to intercultural communication is the least problem. Another big problem
involved being unable to write an essay within a limited time. The problem least
mentioned is never being ashamed of pronunciation when communicating with an
English native speaker.
All participants reported a medium frequency use of strategy on the SILL. The
participants reported using metacognitive most frequently but in medium range and
compensatory strategies least frequently. The most frequently used strategies involved
relying on context to figure the meaning of unfamiliar words in the text. Not using
gestures when they cannot think of a word during a conversation in English was the
least frequently used.