Encouraging English Language Study in Cambodian Higher Education Institutions: A Case Study of Takeo Province (2012-2022)

Abstract

The doctoral thesis investigated the motivation for learning English among students enrolled in Takeo Provincial Higher Education institutions. The primary objective was to gauge the levels of motivation exhibited by students when engaging in English reading activities. Additionally, the thesis aimed to delve into students' perceptions regarding the advantages of reading in English and the challenges they encountered.

The doctoral thesis conducted a comprehensive analysis of student motivation and revealed a noteworthy finding: the majority of students exhibited a higher degree of extrinsic motivation (reading in English) compared to intrinsic motivation.

Furthermore, the thesis sheds light on several benefits of reading in English as identified by the students. One of the prominent advantages reported was the enhancement of language proficiency. Reading in English exposed students to a wide range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and idiomatic expressions, thereby contributing to their overall language development. Additionally, it was observed that reading in English facilitated the acquisition of cultural knowledge and fostered intercultural understanding among the students.

Despite the benefits mentioned earlier, the thesis also recognized the presence of certain difficulties students encounter while reading in English. One of the main challenges reported was the comprehension of complex texts due to unfamiliar vocabulary and syntax. Students often struggled to decipher the meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases, which hindered their overall understanding of the content. Additionally, the lack of contextual knowledge and cultural references posed difficulties in fully grasping the nuances and deeper meanings conveyed in English texts.

Moreover, the thesis unveiled that those students faced challenges in maintaining sustained focus and concentration during English reading sessions. Distractions, such as external environmental factors or internal wandering thoughts, disrupt their reading flow and impede comprehension. Additionally, the students highlighted difficulties in extracting main ideas, summarizing information, and making inferences from the texts, indicating the need for further development of reading comprehension strategies.

In conclusion, the doctoral thesis revealed that students in Takeo Provincial Higher Education institutions exhibited higher levels of extrinsic motivation when engaging in English reading activities. The research also identified various benefits associated with reading in English, including language proficiency development and cultural awareness. However, students encountered challenges such as vocabulary and comprehension difficulties, maintaining focus, and extracting key information.