The comparison of the effect of bilingual instruction and the use of second language on students' learning

Abstract

This study was a comparison of the effects of bilingual instruction and the use of L2. The study utilised both a quantitative and qualitative research aimed at determining of the use of the mother tongue (L1) as a resource that helped students of Faculty of Management and Human Resource. Fifty participants were selected from Management and Human Resource Faculty in UTM. These respondents had average level of English language proficiency, a situation faced by many students in this area who rarely used English language outside the school. The instruments used in this study were questionnaire and interview to determine students? perception on effects of bilingual instruction on learning and also to investigate whether the use of bilingual instruction has great effect on students? learning improvement. Data of questionnaires were analyzed by SPSS version 17 in Likert scale to determine the respondents? perception of using bilingual instruction. In addition, interviews were transcribed to investigate the effects of using bilingual instruction in learning improvement. Results of the study indicate that the students have positive attitudes about using bilingual instruction and the use of bilingual instruction is more effective in improving students? learning than the use of L2 only. It is hoped that the findings of this research would provide the reason why the L1 should not be neglected when teaching a second language or specific subject for specific purposes rather it should be looked upon as a resource for second language learning especially among ESP students.