Dropping out of a TEFL programme: A study of internal factors

The issue of student attrition from higher education has received considerable attention as it is a serious problem in Colombia and around the world. More than 25% of those admitted to a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) programme drop out at some point. The research focuses on problems that could be solved through pedagogy. This study reviews the literature on attrition and provides comparative data from two other TEFL programmes in Bogotá, Colombia. According to Hummel, (2014), these factors play an important role when learning a second language: intelligence aptitude, attitudes, motivation, personality, learning style, cognitive style and learning strategies. We plan to focus on attitudes, motivation and language learning strategies. The information gathered through surveys and interviews tries to find constant causes in order to propose solutions to the programme management together with the teaching staff.