The general population of Malaysia attends 11 years of compulsory learning of the English language in a formal context at both primary and secondary schools. Since the implementation of compulsory learning, the English subject syllabus has been reviewed and revised several times. However, according to the Ministry of Education, English subject achievement among secondary students is one of the poorest in schools with 72 percent of Malaysian students not meeting the minimum requirement for secondary school graduates. This study investigates Malaysian secondary school students' attitudes towards English on three aspects of language attitude which are cognitive, affective and conative. A total of 100 respondents, aged between 17-18 years old took part in this study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data which were collected via an adapted survey questionnaire. The findings suggest the respondents have moderately positive language attitudes towards English and its learning. The result of this survey may be beneficial to those in the education line specifically in the second/foreign language field. It is suggested that future study should expand the research by identifying and comparing attitudes from students with varying proficiency levels for better insight on the attitude differences based on the achievement levels.
Abidin, M. J. Z., Pour-Mohammadi, M., & Alzwari, H. (2012). EFL students’ attitudes towards learning English language: The case of Libyan secondary school students. Asian social science, 8(2), 119.
Al-Nofaie, H. (2010). The attitudes of teachers and students towards using arabic in efl classrooms in saudi public schools-a case study. Novitas-Royal, 4(1).
Aryadoust, V. (2017). Adapting Levels 1 and 2 of Kirkpatrick’s model of training evaluation to examine the effectiveness of a tertiary-level writing course. Pedagogies: An International Journal, 12(2), 151-179.
Boonrangsri, K., Chuaymankhong, D., Rermyindee, N., & Vongchittpinyo, N. (2004). The attitude towards English language learning of the students in vocational certificate level under curriculum in 2002. A Case Study of Ayutthaya Technical College studied by Naresuan University, Thailand.
Bouhmama, D., & Bouhmama, S. (2015). Attitudes of Kuwait University Students Towards Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). College Student Journal, 49(3), 466-472.
Brown, D. F. (2002). Becoming a Successful Urban Teacher. Heinemann, 88 Post Road West, PO Box 5007, Westport, CT 06881.
Choy, S. C., & Troudi, S. (2006). An Investigation into the Changes in Perceptions of and Attitudes Towards Learning English in a Malaysian College. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 18(2), 120-130.
?i?ek, L. (2015). Language learning anxiety-causes and consequences (Doctoral dissertation).
Eshghinejad, S. (2016). EFL students’ attitudes toward learning English language: The case study of Kashan University students. Cogent education, 3(1), 1236434.
Evans, P. (1975). Motivation. Essential psychology. London: Methuen.
Feng, R., & Chen, H. (2009). An analysis on the importance of motivation and strategy in postgraduates English acquisition. English Language Teaching, 2(3), 93.
Gardner, R. C. (1982). Language attitudes and language learning. Attitudes towards language variation, 132-147
Ghaitasi, H., Azizifar, A., & Gowhary, H. (2014). Investigating EFL Adult Learners? Behavioral and Emotional Attitudes towards Learning Speaking.
Gill, S. K. (2002). English language challenges for Malaysia: International communication. Universiti Putra Malaysia Press.
Hashwani, M. S. (2008). Students’ attitudes, motivation and anxiety towards English language learning. Journal of Research and Reflections in Education, 2(2).
Hiew, W. (2012). English Language Teaching And Learning Issues In Malaysia: Learners'perceptions Via Facebook Dialogue Journal. Researchers World, 3(1), 11.
Hu, L., & Wang, N. (2014, January). Anxiety in foreign language learning. In International Conference on Global Economy, Commerce and Service Science (GECSS) (pp. 122-124).
Jain, V. (2014). 3D model of attitude. International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences, 3(3), 1-12.
Kara, A. (2009). The effect of a ‘learning theories’ unit on students’ attitudes toward learning. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 34(3), 5.
MacIntyre, P. D., & Gardner, R. C. (1994). The subtle effects of language anxiety on cognitive processing in the second language. Language learning, 44(2), 283-305.
Mat, S. S. C., & Yunus, M. M. (2014). Attitudes and motivation towards learning English among FELDA school Students. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 8(5), 1-8.
Mustafa, Z. (2015). The Tyranny of Language in Education: The Problem and Its Solution. Oxford University Press.
Nair, G. K. S., Setia, R., Mohamad, R., Kadir, Z. B. A., Luqman, A., Vadeveloo, T., & Ngah, H. C.
(2014). Attitude, parental encouragement and perception of the importance of English in English language learning. Asian Social Science, 10(3), 1.
Nich, C. (2005). Contributing Writer to Worldwide Learn. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edn., Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.Department of Labor.
Oller, J. W. (1981). Research on the measurement of affective variables: Some remaining questions. New dimensions in second language acquisition research, 106, 14-27.
Omar, A. H. (1981). The Malaysian national language in academic discourse. National language as medium of instruction, 73-92.
Oxford, R. L. (1999). Anxiety and the language learner: New insights. Affect in language learning, 58-67.
Prodromou, L. (1992). What culture? Which culture? Cross-cultural factors in language learning. ELT journal, 46(1), 39-50.
Rosenberg, M. J., Hovland, C. I., McGuire, W. J., Abelson, R. P., & Brehm, J. W. (1960). Attitude organization and change: An analysis of consistency among attitude components.(Yales studies in attitude and communication.), Vol. III.
Thang, S. M., Ting, S. L., & Nurjanah, M. J. (2011). Attitudes and Motivation of Malaysian Secondary Students towards Learning English as a Second Language: A Case Study. 3L: The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 17 (1), 40-54. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
Thirusanku, J., & Yunus, M. M. (2014). Status of English in Malaysia. Asian Social Science, 10(14), 254.
Triandis, H. C. (1971). Attitude and Attitude Change (Foundations of Social Psychology). New Jersey: John Wileys & Sons Inc.
Wenden, A. (1991). Learning strategies for learner autonomy: planning and implementing learner training for language learners. Hemel Hemstead, Hertfordshire: Prentice Hall.
In-Text Citation: (Zukiflei & Said, 2020)
To Cite this Article: Zukiflei, K., & Said, N. E. M. (2020). Language Attitude among Malaysian Secondary School Students. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 10(6), 778–791.
Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
