ESL Learners Learning Content Subject in English: What do the Malaysian First Cohort Students Say?

Soubakeavathi, Rethinasamy and Kee, Man Chuah and Mohd. Hafizan, Hashim (2012) ESL Learners Learning Content Subject in English: What do the Malaysian First Cohort Students Say? The International Journal of Learning, 18 (7). pp. 353-366. ISSN 1447-9494

[img] PDF
ESL Learners Learning Content Subject in English What do the Malaysian First Cohort Students Say.pdf

Download (631kB)
Official URL: https://www.scimagojr.com/journalsearch.php?q=Comm...

Abstract

Throughout the world English language has become an important language of academic instruction. Thus, the teaching and learning of a content subject in English is not a unique phenomenon in various parts of the world. In Malaysia, English for the Teaching of Mathematics and Science (ETeMS) policy was implemented in 2003. This has received and is still receiving various reactions particularly from politicians, parents, language experts and policy makers. This study employed a survey research design and investigated the views of the 600 students who have completed all 6 years of primary education under the ETeMS policy. Four aspects of the students’ views namely, views on personal ability in English, learning Science in English, importance of learning Science in English and language medium preference were covered in the questionnaire items. The findings show that the majority of the students viewed their English language ability as good, had positive views about learning Science in English, very aware of the importance of learning Science in English and preferred to learn Science in English only and bilingually in the Malay language and English. The paper highlights the need to listen to the students’ voice and recommends the way forward for addressing English medium instruction issues.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: English Medium Instruction (EMI), Content Based Learning (CBL), ESL Learners, unimas, university, universiti, Borneo, Malaysia, Sarawak, Kuching, Samarahan, ipta, education, research, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
Subjects: P Language and Literature > PE English
P Language and Literature > PL Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania
Divisions: Academic Faculties, Institutes and Centres > Faculty of Education, Language and Communication
Depositing User: Rethinasamy
Date Deposited: 06 Aug 2020 07:07
Last Modified: 01 Nov 2023 02:37
URI: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/30986

Actions (For repository members only: login required)

View Item View Item