A review of factors influencing learners’ gain of English proficiency

Phuong Hoang Yen * , Vo Phuong Quyen and Tran Mai Hien

* Corresponding author (phyen@ctu.edu.vn)

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Received: 10 Aug 2018
Revised: 08 Nov 2018
Accepted: 29 Mar 2019
Published: 30 Mar 2019
DOI: 10.22144/ctu.jen.2019.007
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Phuong, H. Y., Vo, P. Q., & Tran, M. H. (2019). A review of factors influencing learners’ gain of English proficiency. CTU Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development , 11(1), 49-59. https://doi.org/10.22144/ctu.jen.2019.007
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Vol. 11 No. 1 (2019)

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Abstract

Different factors are involved in the process of learners learning English as a second or foreign language. Some contribute to enhancing their English proficiency, others mitigate and or even delay the process of learners’ mastering the language. Throughout literature, many studies focus on one or several factors that have an impact on learners’ gain of English language proficiency. Few studies have been conducted to explore groups of factors together. The current paper reviews different studies on the issue to provide the whole picture of what may play a role in influencing English-as-a-foreign-language learners’ improvement of English proficiency. Three groups of factors are discussed including student-related factors, teacher-related factors and context-related factors. The paper also implies what different stakeholders can do to maximize and optimize learners’ gain and progress in English language learning.
Keywords: EFL learners, English proficiency, influencing factors, progress

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