Attitudes toward English among AL-Quds Open University Students in Tulkarm Branch

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the attitudes toward English among AL-Quds Open University students inTulkarm Branch, Palestine. To achieve this purpose, the researcher used a questionnaire composed of 30 itemsdistributed to 70 male and 110 female students in four faculties: Education, Social Development, AdministrativeSciences and Technology and Applied Sciences in AL- Quds Open University, Tulkarm Branch. These students arein different study levels (years). This study was conducted during the first semester of the academic year 2014-2015.The researcher used different statistical procedures which fit the collected data. The results of the study revealed thatmost of the students in AL- Quds Open University, Tulkarm Branch have positive attitudes towards English.Moreover, the attitude of females toward English is more positive than the attitude of males. There are significantdifferences in attitudes towards English among students due to academic level. There are no significant differences inattitudes toward English among students due to faculty. Based on the results, the researcher recommends thefollowing: First, universities are requested to offer a reasonable number of English communication courses to givestudents a chance to practice and improve their language so as to make the language favorable for them and have agood attitude toward it. Second, teachers are required to encourage students to get engaged in co-curricular Englishactivities in special meetings among themselves to use English in speaking and writing.