Abstract:
Learning a second language is never an easy task. Learning English as a second language is even less easy. For instance English is heard and used as a second language by majority of the SriLankans. Thus the particular study focuses on the common drawbacks encountered in learning English language among the undergraduates of Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. To be sure it was identified that learners are obviously facing numerous difficulties in developing their English proficiency. The research is conducted with the objective of finding out what are the reasons for this issue and what are the remedial measures to be taken to alleviate these problems. This paper critically evaluates the problems faced by the students in language classroom before they enter into the college environment.The overall objective of the research is to find out the various measures and steps to improve the students’ English language proficiency. This research is based on descriptive analysis using quantitative and qualitative data. The necessary data were gathered using the methods of discussions, participatory informal interviews, observations and questionnaires by involving forty Eastern province students who study in South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.