Author(s): Twahirwa Jean Bosco, Bazimaziki Gabriel, Mukadisi Florence, Nyandwi Gilbert

Abstract: This study reports on students’ interest in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and challenges impeding their effective learning. The study is anchored on Richards’ Communicative Language teaching theory (CLT) framed on principles of language teaching and learning. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. A four Likert Scale questionnaire was used to gather information from forty – five respondents determined basing on Morgan and Krejcie’s approach. Analysis revealed that despite that majority of students are interested in English for Specific purposes, factors such as fear of practice, few or lack of appropriate facilities, class size affect teaching and learning . It was recommended that the three parts concerned with the teaching and learning play their parts to grapple with these challenges.

Keywords: English, interest, Challenges, perceptions, impediment, learning, ESP, mixed classes, Communicative Language Teaching.

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.52.27