Abstract:
Language attitude is considered as an essential factor influencing the language performance and
has received considerable attention from both first and second language researchers. English is
one of the leading language in 21st century. This research investigates the attitudes towards
English language learning of students of Higher National Diploma in English (HNDE) program
offered by Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE). HNDE provides an opportunity for School leavers with GCE A/L qualifications to improve their expertise
in English Language, English Literature and Communication skills in order to join as an English Language teacher in schools. The review of literature reveals that there is no empirical test
among HNDE students on language attitude towards English language. Therefore this study indents to investigate the attitudes towards learning English language among HNDE students. For
this study HNDE students of Advanced Technological Institute, Sammanthurai are selected as
sample. The questionnaire is used to identify the students’ attitude. This questionnaire consists
both closed and open-ended questions. Questionnaire is developed and students’ response were
tabulated and analyzed. 60 students are investigated in this study; 11 are male and 49 are female.
The study shows that students have positive attitudes and negative attitudes towards learning English as a Second Language. Most students learning English for their career development and
using the English Language in various domains of usage is extremely positive. The data also
revealed that most of students have negative feeling or fear regarding classroom instructions
in their learning experiences. Students ‘attitudes towards learning focuses of learning skills
are somewhat negative, which shows that a single curriculum or teaching methodology is not
adequate. This research also demonstrate the barriers to learning English as second language.
This research also suggests that the teacher should educate the learners with a straightforward
understanding of the attitude of the learners. The finding of this study facilitates teaching and
learning process of teachers and students in second language environment.
