The Study of Problems and Defense Mechanism in Studying English of the First-year Bangkok University Students

Abstract

The research aims at 1) studying the problems and defense mechanism in studying English of the first-year Bangkok University students, 2) examining some factors affecting the problems of studying English, and 3) investigating the relationship between the problems in studying English and defense mechanism. The data were collected from 410 students enrolling in EN 111 in the first semester of 2010 by a five-point Likert rating scale questionnaire. The data were analyzed by means, standard deviation, t-test, and Pearson Correlation. The findings revealed that the overall problems and problems in four skills were at a moderate level. Moreover, factors affecting the students’ problems in studying English included taking remedial courses and having experience abroad while gender did not have an effect on their problems. The research also found out that there was no significant relationship between the students’ problems in studying English and their overall use of defense mechanism. However, when 2 types of defense mechanism: escaping and fighting were analyzed. It was found that problems in studying English had a negative relationship with escaping defense mechanism while a positive relationship existed between problems in studying English and fighting defense mechanism.