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Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 15. Number 2, June 2024 Pp.274-287
Faculty of Languages and Communication
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Perak, Malaysia
Faculty of Languages and Communication
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Perak, Malaysia
Faculty of Languages and Communication
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Perak, Malaysia
Faculty of Languages and Communication
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Perak, Malaysia
Faculty of Languages and Communication
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Perak, Malaysia
English is a compulsory subject taught in Malaysian schools, offering opportunities for both personal and career development. Even though the English Proficiency Index Report 2019 indicated that Malaysia is ranked quite highly in terms of English language proficiency, the result does not represent the actual ability among many learners, especially in the rural areas, as Malaysian ESL learners face many difficulties in using English, verbally and in writing. Amidst the debate on Malaysian ESL learners’ proficiency level, it is important to measure how they perceive their ability to use English. This study intends to investigate Malaysian rural ESL learners’ perceptions of their English language proficiency. A survey research design was employed. Two hundred seventy-seven participants of Form 1, Form 3, Form 4, and Form 5 form rural schools in Malaysia who were recruited in this study. The data were gathered from a questionnaire based on the description of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ‘Self-assessment grid’. The interview was also conducted to support the quantitative data. The researchers analyzed the percentages, mean scores, and standard deviation of the questionnaire. Content analysis was employed to analyze the data from the interview session. Findings indicate that positive perceptions of English language learning enhance students’ interest, thereby accelerating their proficiency levels. This study offers insight into learners’ perspectives on their English language acquisition journey. Future research might consider employing a larger sample size and additional data collection instruments to enhance the significance of findings, particularly regarding ESL students’ perceptions of their English language proficiency.
Keywords: English language proficiency, ESL learners’ perceptions, European framework for language proficiency,
Malaysian rural learners, Self-assessment grid
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Maizatulliza Muhamad, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Languages and Communication, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia. Her areas of specialization are Course and Syllabus Design and Second Language Acquisition. Email: maizatulliza@fbk.upsi.edu.my ORCID ID https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-1905-5082
Goh Hock Seng, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Languages and Communication, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia. He is an expert in Teacher Education, Teaching Methods, and Language Education and TESL related research.
Email: goh.hs@fbk.upsi.edu.my ORCID ID https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-0543-6431
Farah Natchiar Mohd Khaja, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Languages and Communication, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia. Her area of research includes studies on Educational Technology, Adult Education, and Classroom Instruction. Email: farah.natchiar@fbk.upsi.edu.my ORCID ID https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-7184-1243
Mohd Haniff Mohd Tahir, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer and internationally recognized researcher at the Faculty of Languages and Communication, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia. His focus area includes Materials Design and Development, Model and Module Development, and Vocabulary Acquisition related to ESL classrooms. Currently, he is exploring emerging ideas and concepts for vocabulary learning with the integration of technology. ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5411-1000
Syahwil Saputra, is a master’s student in Teaching English As a Second Language (TESL) at the Faculty of Languages and Communication, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia. His area of interest includes studies on Digital Education Tools and Technology-Based Vocabulary Learning. Email: syahwils@gmail.com ORCID ID https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-8469-7412