Abstract:
English language plays a vital role in the school system in Rwanda where it is used as a medium of instruction. Nevertheless, students‟ performance in this language in secondary schools is not satisfactory, mostly due to some learning environmental factors. Therefore, this study aims at investigating learning environment factors that influence students‟ English language learning. The study is justified by the fact that some schools seem to be better than others as far as students‟ performance in English is concerned. Thus, there is a strong need to find out the reasons of those differences. The literature review deals with the learning environment factors that influence students‟ English language learning and it is organized according to the research objectives. The study is guided by Production Function Theory, which maintains that there is a close relationship between inputs and outputs. The sample population is made up of 6 schools that were sampled from Gasabo District, 180 secondary school students, 12 teachers and 6 head teachers. To collect data, a questionnaire to students and teachers, an interview with head teachers and school observation were used. The collected data was presented in frequency tables and charts in order to make analysis easy. The major findings are that some secondary school students have low levels of performance in English due to low involvement of parents in their children‟s English language learning, bad relationships among school leaders, students, teachers and parents, low students‟ and teachers‟ motivation, big class sizes and insufficient teaching and learning materials. In order to upgrade students‟ performance in English, parents should be fully involved in their children‟s English language learning. In addition, good relationships among school authorities, teachers, students and parents should be assured. Moreover, students‟ motivation to learn English and teachers‟ motivation to teach English should be raised. Finally, students should be taught in classes of manageable sizes for the learning of any school subject to be effective.
