Attitudes towards English Language Learning among EFL Learners at UMSKAL

Abstract

This paper analyses the result of a survey on 238 undergraduate EFL students at a public university in Malaysia. The survey focused on their attitude towards English learning and causes that might have hindered their learning. For data collection, a 19 item questionnaire were designed and administered on 238 students. The objective of this study was to investigate (1) The attitudes of the learners towards the use of English in different areas; (2) Causes that may have influenced the effect of English learning for students (3) Perspectives of English learning among non-major English learners in Malaysia. Results of the qualitative analysis show that the attitude towards English language learning and using the language in various domains of usage is extremely positive. The data also revealed that most of the students had negative feelings or fear regarding classroom instructions in their learning experience. Students of different fields varied in attitudes towards English language learning in terms of domains of usage and focus of learning skills, which shows that a single curriculum or teaching methodology is not adequate. Several suggestions have been made regarding teaching methodology, curriculum, teaching materials, and the status of English in Malaysia from this point of view.

Key words: EFL learners, Learner attitudes, Learning environment, Language learning, Malaysia