Factors that influence the English language teaching- learning process in Ecuadorian private high schools

Abstract

Learning a second language can be influenced by several factors, such as class size, seating arrangement, teaching techniques, teachers’ instructional competence, and others. This thesis was intended to establish the relationship between these factors and their influence in both teachers and students from private high schools in the city of Loja, Ecuador. The sample included fifteen students and fifteen teachers from five different private high schools in the urban area of the city of Loja. They were given a questionnaire (specific for each population) that included questions regarding the teaching methods and techniques, and their opinion about the effects in the learning process. After a deep analysis of the results, the authors concluded that, among different private high schools, the teacher’s formal education and experience in the field, as well as class size and the hours per week dedicated for the English subject were the most important factors that influenced the teaching-learning process. Other factors such as teaching methods and techniques were related to the teacher’s experience.