A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING: ISSUES AND INFLUENTIAL FACTORS

Abstract

The objective of this study is to present the results of systematic review related to the issues of and factors influencing second language learning among non-native speakers. The systematic review focuses on articles which discuss about issues and factors influencing second language learning that can help teachers prepare an appropriate teaching technique for second language learning. The Systematic Literature Review (SLR) technique was used in this study to critically review 55 academic articles that discuss second language learning. Specifically, the academic articles were selected based on their contents that focus on issues and factors influencing second language learning  among non-native speakers. Findings of the systematic review revealed several factors that influence second language learning, such as language skill proficiency, learning time, cultural differences, lack of learning aids, and challenging in learning. The findings also showed that personal factors, psychological factor, and social factor had a profound impact on second language learning. The teaching and learning process of the second language needs to take into account students’ cognitive ability, motivation and learning environment.  The findings of this study implicate the importance of taking into consideration the factors that had been found to be influential in Malay as second language among non-native speakers.