“I think it’s good for me to speak English fluently” : - A Questionnaire-Based Study of Libyan University Students’  Attitudes to EFL

Abstract: To know English has been argued to be more important than ever before. Not knowing English in the modern globalized world may lead to social inequality and disparity of opportunities for people (García & Beatens Beardsmore, 2009, p.12). Yet, far from everyone has access to qualified teachers and adequate language teaching and learning materials. In Libya, English was prohibited during the 1980s, leaving a whole generation without English education. When recently reintroduced into curricula, substandard teaching methods and little exposure to English hamper possibilities for adequate English learning and education. This study aims to investigate the status of English amongst a group of students from a Libyan university. The survey’s foremost focus is on the informants’ attitudes, their opinions on access to English language materials outside of language classes and potential factors of motivation. A questionnaire was handed to 40 participants, using a Likert-scale to indicate their answers. The survey shows that most of the students hold positive attitudes to English as a foreign language (EFL). Some of the factors of motivation mentioned were to work or study abroad. Contrary to previous empirical research, a majority of the informants in this study reported that it is effortless to find English language materials outside of class. However, the students’ limited language skills may have affected the outcome of the study. In such case, it supports previous research and the perceived need topic to increase the standard of English language education in Libya.