Contextual factors that affect the English learning process of students in Mexico.

Abstract

Learning a new language always takes a considerable amount of time, constant effort, practice and commitment. It is a process in which the learner is influenced by different aspects, such as school factors (under teacher´s control) and contextual factors (external factors that are not under teacher´s control).  For this reason, talking about the challenges during the English learning process requires noticing the background of students. Through this article, different situations and problems are exposed in order to ponder about the contextual factors of the students in Mexico. It is presented the definition of contextual factors and the aspects that compose it. Afterward, an overview of general education in Mexico is presented, as well as the current English teaching situation and the low level of English in Mexican students. The relationship between the socioeconomic level and the level of English of the students is also shown. Moreover, it is address the influence of parents on the academic performance of their children. The article incorporates the changes in the perceptions of English learners through the past years and the new perspective towards the English language. This article culminates with a conclusion of the contextual factors and a reflection about the changes that could be done.