Employing native-speaking mentors of English in Malaysia: perceptions of ESL teachers

Abstract

The Malaysian government has taken action to enhance the effectiveness of English Language among English as a second Language (ESL) student in Malaysia and the professional development of English teachers by employing native-speaking English mentors (NSEM) through teachertraining programmes such as Teaching English Language and Literacy (TELL) and English Language Teacher Development Project (ELTDP). English language teacher expressed some mixed feelings about NSEM in these training programmes; thus, this study aims to examine the general perceptions of Malaysian English teachers towards the NSEM. This study utilized a mixedmethod approach and chose 39 primary school teachers from three different primary schools as respondents to fill in the questionnaires. The data collected from questionnaire was analyzed by using SPSS to obtain descriptive information and a total of six potential respondents were selected to attend the interview which provide the qualitative data for the study. The findings revealed that many local English teachers view the NSEM as effective mentors. On the other hand, some believed that the local English mentors can also perform equally well. This study helps to create and raise awareness of Malaysian English teachers towards teacher-training programmes involving NSEM. The information gathered from this study will be beneficial to English teachers as this study might help to change their perceptions towards NSEM in language classrooms.