Malaysia Chinese independent high schools esl learners english learning attitudes

Abstract

The English learning attitudes of English as a Second Language learners in five Chinese independent high schools located in three southern states of peninsular Malaysia are examined in this study.150 Form Four (Senior One) students who had sat for PMR (Lower Secondary Assessment) the previous year (2013) were administered in this investigation. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected for analysis in this study via questionnaire, classroom observations and oral reports. Significant difference is found between learners' English Learning Attitude and Subscription of English Magazine or Newspaper at Home as well as English Speaking Family. Moreover, significant difference is also identified between learners' PMR English Score and Subscription of English Magazine or Newspaper at Home including English Proficiency. Findings further indicate that there is no significant difference between learners' Gender and Language Attitude including Anxiety which corroborated with research done elsewhere. Only 19.33 percent of the students (N=29) believe good language learners are more intelligent and a meager 8 percent (N=12) will give up learning English while 92 percent (N=138) will try other means, such as going for private tuition or surfing online for assistance when their English teacher is not a good one. 91.33 percent of the students (N=137) show interest and perceive learning English as a joy and pride. Pearson Chi-square analysis also concludes that there is no correlation between learners' PMR English Score and Gender as well as School.