Difficulties Faced by Undergraduate Students in English Poetry at Taiz University, Yemen

This study investigates the challenges encountered by undergraduate students at Taiz University, Yemen, in comprehending English poetry. Despite its significance in enhancing linguistic and cultural proficiency, poetry often poses substantial interpretative challenges for non-native English speakers. The main aim of this research is to find out the difficulties encountered by students in understanding poetry. Data were collected using a Likert scale questionnaire including (15) items administered to 86 male and female students enrolled in the department of English in the faculties of Arts and Education at Taiz University, Yemen, during the academic year (2024/2025). The findings of the study revealed that students face multifaceted obstacles in understanding English poetry. Language-related issues, such as limited vocabulary and unfamiliarity with idiomatic expressions, were prominently cited. The complexity of poetic devices, including metaphors, similes, and symbolism, compounded the difficulties. Cultural references and historical contexts embedded in poems further impeded comprehension, highlighting a gap in students' background knowledge. The study also uncovered that students' anxiety and lack of confidence in interpreting poetry contribute significantly to their difficulties. Many students reported feeling overwhelmed by the ambiguous nature of poetic language and the open-ended nature of its interpretation. In conclusion, understanding the specific difficulties faced by Taiz University students in interpreting English poetry can inform more effective pedagogical strategies, ultimately enhancing their literary appreciation and overall linguistic competence.