Factors affecting perception of English comprehension of students in Xiasha, Hangzhou, China

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the level of English comprehension and factors affecting it material factor (curriculum), teacher factor (teaching method and teaching quality), and student factor (students' motivation) as perceived by students, to examine the relationships between material, teacher, and student factors and English comprehension of students, and to investigate the predictors of English comprehension of students in Xiasha, Hangzhou, China. This research studied factors in order to improve the English comprehension. The research used a quantitative method using questionnaires for data collection. The sample group consisted of 478 students. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's Product Correlation Coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The finding revealed that the overall level of English comprehension in Xiasha, Hangzhou, China was at a moderate level with an average mean score of 2.80, and the overall level of material factor, teacher factor, and student factor was at a moderate level with the average mean score of 3.40. The finding also showed that there was a significant relationship between the three factors and English comprehension. From the three factors, curriculum showed the highest level of relationship with English comprehension at 0.377, while teaching method had the lowest level with 0.215. Curriculum was the highest predictor factor among three factors, it was able to predict 14% of English comprehension of students. Students' motivation could predict 4% of English comprehension of students. Comparing two variables, curriculum was a better predictor of English comprehension than students' motivation.