Refusing to participate in an action is a negative response that might lead to a dispute and jeop... more Refusing to participate in an action is a negative response that might lead to a dispute and jeopardise the connection between the hearer and the speaker. To avoid the conflict that may arise when a speaker must decline a request, the speaker must offer an acceptable refusal and adjust to the position of the interlocutor as well as the circumstances of the situation. This study examined the strategies and sequence order of the strategies employed by Malay speakers of English as a second language (MSE) when they refused requests made by higher and equal status interlocutors. Twelve MSE undergraduates from a local university participated in the study. Data were collected using an open role-play which were transcribed, classified into semantic refusal strategies (Beebe et al., 1990) and categorized into the types of sequence orders of the strategies. The findings revealed that the MSE preferred indirect strategies when refusing higher and equal status interlocutors’ requests. When usin...
The present century has seen the rapid globalisation of Higher Education, and increasing numbers ... more The present century has seen the rapid globalisation of Higher Education, and increasing numbers of Malaysian students are seeking to study in universities abroad, and increasing numbers of students from abroad are seeking to enter universities in Malaysia. The MUET has long been established as the English test for university entrance in Malaysia, and in the context of globalisation, it is essential to know how it compares with other established English tests. The overall aim of this study is to compare MUET Band scores with IELTS Band scores. A correlational study was undertaken to measure the statistical association between MUET and IELTS Band scores
In this paper, we illustrate the application of 0-1 integer linear programming to form a small di... more In this paper, we illustrate the application of 0-1 integer linear programming to form a small discussion group among students of an English conversation class at Universiti Utara Malaysia. The model was developed to ensure that each group consists of not more than four students, the probability for each group to be actively engaged in conversation activities is high, each group consists of a mix of gender and race composition, as well as some other specific requirements set by the instructor of the class. The optimal solution was obtained with the help of Lingo 11. The same approach can be extended to solve some other classroom management problems.
A review of literature has indicated that the possible reasons for Malaysian students’ lack of En... more A review of literature has indicated that the possible reasons for Malaysian students’ lack of English proficiency are primarily on extraneous variables such as students’ perception and attitude, social environment and linguistic factors. It appears that these extraneous variables are hindrances to Malaysian students mastering the language and eventually this affects their performance in a language test, in this case MUET. The present study used a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on a data set of 527 participants. We propose a theoretical model of the relationship between (1) writing behaviour, (2) writing difficulties, and (3) writing strategies. These three factors were tested for the reliability and validity of the constructs, including item loading, construct reliability, and average variance extracted. The CFA revealed that the standardised loading items are beyond 0.70 on their anticipated factor, representing the construct validity is adequate. The analysis revealed that th...
Compared to other skills, writing is the most difficult skill to learn.Contemporary research theo... more Compared to other skills, writing is the most difficult skill to learn.Contemporary research theories on how to effectively teach EFL writing such as those of cognitivists and social constructionists based their approaches mainly on L1 writing.The cognitivists view writing as an activity regulated in the mind of each individual as the person is writing particularly the activity which involves thinking and problem-solving process.The social constructionists on the other hand, claim that learning to write does not confine to just what is happening in the writer’ s state of mind, but social interaction is also a key to learn how to write successfully.To ensure that the teaching of EFL writing is going to the right direction, English teachers and educators must be aware of recent EFL writing theories and practices.One way to do this is to understand essential components of EFL writing instruction system.Because EFL writing theories were derived from theories on writing in L1 and writing...
This article presents the current picture of the ELT scenario in Pakistan and its pedagogical per... more This article presents the current picture of the ELT scenario in Pakistan and its pedagogical perspectives. English is taught as a compulsory subject in Pakistan from class One to Bachelor's degree, yet most of the students are unable to communicate in English confidently in real life situations. Pakistani ELT system has confined the learners and teachers to the prescribed syllabus based on Grammar Translation Method. The number of failure in English is on the increase as compared to all other subjects. One of the major reasons of dropping out from schooling is also the obscurity about English language. The study advocates that instead of struggling with the traditional PPP (Present, Practice, and Production), language teachers should practice TBLT (Task Based Language Teaching) which is one of the most recent and pragmatic approaches in ELT. The article suggests that innovation in ELT is the paramount need of the time by implementing TBLT and deracinating PPP. TBLT is a learner...
The present study investigates realization of refusal speech act by Malay, Chinese and Indian und... more The present study investigates realization of refusal speech act by Malay, Chinese and Indian undergraduate university students. As the groups belong to different cultures and speak their own distinct languages as their mother tongues, the refusal strategies they employed may be different since speech acts are culture specific. The study intends to identify the refusal strategies employed by the three ethnic groups when they refuse their higher status interlocutor’s request to work extra-hour in English which is learnt as a second language. Four Malay, four Chinese and four Indian students of a Malaysian university were involved in the study. Data on refusal interactions were obtained through an open role-play based on a request initiating act and also from an interview conducted at the end of the role-play. Data were then transcribed and classified into semantic refusal strategies. Results indicate that the three ethnic groups exhibited high awareness of the status and power facto...
Many preschool teachers in Malaysia, who are teaching English as a foreign language (EFL), are ha... more Many preschool teachers in Malaysia, who are teaching English as a foreign language (EFL), are having problems in using and teaching English language proficiently in conversations.The methodology used by the teachers is largely traditional in nature and the preschool teachers still use grammar translation method and drills in rural preschools.This method lacks creativity and opportunities for young learners to acquire speaking skills.Although some studies have been conducted on the teaching of English to young learners, there is lack of research on the effects of using sociocultural theory and discourse-based approach in speaking competence among Malaysian young learners.Therefore, the present mixed-method classroom research aimed to examine the effect of a teaching intervention on the speaking skills among Malaysian preschoolers aged 5 to 6 years old. The study also examined the vocabulary learned, and the perceptions of preschool teachers on the needs and difficulties of teaching ...
International Journal of Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 2016
The interference of the native language in acquiring a foreign language is unavoidable. In an att... more The interference of the native language in acquiring a foreign language is unavoidable. In an attempt to explore the phenomenon why this occurs, the study was conducted in English as a foreign language writing. The study also investigated how the native language interference occurred in the writing process. In fact, this qualitative study explored the reasons and the process of native language interference in writing performances of EFL learners. The data were collected from Thai undergraduate students through semi-structured interviews. Results obtained from the analysis of this study suggested that the reasons of native language interference in EFL writing were found in three main themes: learning strategies of language learners, inadequate knowledge of the target language, and attitude towards English. Furthermore, the interference of the native language appeared in the initial stage and repeatedly occurred throughout the entire writing process. Finally, the suggestions related t...
Much research has investigated foreign/second language (FL/SL) anxiety among learners belonging t... more Much research has investigated foreign/second language (FL/SL) anxiety among learners belonging to various demographic backgrounds. However, very limited studies have explored this phenomenon among FL/SL users, more specifically from females’ perspectives. Additionally, the vast majority of this research has adopted quantitative techniques to identify the factors causing language anxiety. Therefore, this paper attempts to reduce this gap perceived in the literature by exploring the factors causing language anxiety among ESL users (English as a second language). A qualitative approach was adopted to collect data by conducting a focus group interview with four females, two PhD holders and PhD candidates. Remarkably, new findings were obtained by this research, where the cultural perception about women within the participants’ society was found out to be one of the reasons provoking language anxiety. Furthermore, a common belief about PhD candidates/holders to be highly proficient spea...
Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2019
Qualitative research is known as an exploratory research, in which the common modes of data colle... more Qualitative research is known as an exploratory research, in which the common modes of data collection are interviews, focus group discussions and observational methods. Though there is a large amount of data available on how to conduct qualitative research through the above-mentioned three modes, little do we know about photographic documentation as a rather new and under researched mode of data collection in qualitative research. This paper attempts to explore photographic documentation as a primary mode of data collection in linguistic landscape. Linguistic landscape is a very popular and thriving area of research in applied linguistics. It is the visibility and salience of languages in public spaces, most commonly conducted on public and private signboards. The usual norm of conducting research in linguistic landscape is to click pictures of signboards and conduct an analysis of the language used on those signboards. This paper discusses the pilot testing of this mode of data co...
Refusing to participate in an action is a negative response that might lead to a dispute and jeop... more Refusing to participate in an action is a negative response that might lead to a dispute and jeopardise the connection between the hearer and the speaker. To avoid the conflict that may arise when a speaker must decline a request, the speaker must offer an acceptable refusal and adjust to the position of the interlocutor as well as the circumstances of the situation. This study examined the strategies and sequence order of the strategies employed by Malay speakers of English as a second language (MSE) when they refused requests made by higher and equal status interlocutors. Twelve MSE undergraduates from a local university participated in the study. Data were collected using an open role-play which were transcribed, classified into semantic refusal strategies (Beebe et al., 1990) and categorized into the types of sequence orders of the strategies. The findings revealed that the MSE preferred indirect strategies when refusing higher and equal status interlocutors’ requests. When usin...
The present century has seen the rapid globalisation of Higher Education, and increasing numbers ... more The present century has seen the rapid globalisation of Higher Education, and increasing numbers of Malaysian students are seeking to study in universities abroad, and increasing numbers of students from abroad are seeking to enter universities in Malaysia. The MUET has long been established as the English test for university entrance in Malaysia, and in the context of globalisation, it is essential to know how it compares with other established English tests. The overall aim of this study is to compare MUET Band scores with IELTS Band scores. A correlational study was undertaken to measure the statistical association between MUET and IELTS Band scores
In this paper, we illustrate the application of 0-1 integer linear programming to form a small di... more In this paper, we illustrate the application of 0-1 integer linear programming to form a small discussion group among students of an English conversation class at Universiti Utara Malaysia. The model was developed to ensure that each group consists of not more than four students, the probability for each group to be actively engaged in conversation activities is high, each group consists of a mix of gender and race composition, as well as some other specific requirements set by the instructor of the class. The optimal solution was obtained with the help of Lingo 11. The same approach can be extended to solve some other classroom management problems.
A review of literature has indicated that the possible reasons for Malaysian students’ lack of En... more A review of literature has indicated that the possible reasons for Malaysian students’ lack of English proficiency are primarily on extraneous variables such as students’ perception and attitude, social environment and linguistic factors. It appears that these extraneous variables are hindrances to Malaysian students mastering the language and eventually this affects their performance in a language test, in this case MUET. The present study used a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on a data set of 527 participants. We propose a theoretical model of the relationship between (1) writing behaviour, (2) writing difficulties, and (3) writing strategies. These three factors were tested for the reliability and validity of the constructs, including item loading, construct reliability, and average variance extracted. The CFA revealed that the standardised loading items are beyond 0.70 on their anticipated factor, representing the construct validity is adequate. The analysis revealed that th...
Compared to other skills, writing is the most difficult skill to learn.Contemporary research theo... more Compared to other skills, writing is the most difficult skill to learn.Contemporary research theories on how to effectively teach EFL writing such as those of cognitivists and social constructionists based their approaches mainly on L1 writing.The cognitivists view writing as an activity regulated in the mind of each individual as the person is writing particularly the activity which involves thinking and problem-solving process.The social constructionists on the other hand, claim that learning to write does not confine to just what is happening in the writer’ s state of mind, but social interaction is also a key to learn how to write successfully.To ensure that the teaching of EFL writing is going to the right direction, English teachers and educators must be aware of recent EFL writing theories and practices.One way to do this is to understand essential components of EFL writing instruction system.Because EFL writing theories were derived from theories on writing in L1 and writing...
This article presents the current picture of the ELT scenario in Pakistan and its pedagogical per... more This article presents the current picture of the ELT scenario in Pakistan and its pedagogical perspectives. English is taught as a compulsory subject in Pakistan from class One to Bachelor's degree, yet most of the students are unable to communicate in English confidently in real life situations. Pakistani ELT system has confined the learners and teachers to the prescribed syllabus based on Grammar Translation Method. The number of failure in English is on the increase as compared to all other subjects. One of the major reasons of dropping out from schooling is also the obscurity about English language. The study advocates that instead of struggling with the traditional PPP (Present, Practice, and Production), language teachers should practice TBLT (Task Based Language Teaching) which is one of the most recent and pragmatic approaches in ELT. The article suggests that innovation in ELT is the paramount need of the time by implementing TBLT and deracinating PPP. TBLT is a learner...
The present study investigates realization of refusal speech act by Malay, Chinese and Indian und... more The present study investigates realization of refusal speech act by Malay, Chinese and Indian undergraduate university students. As the groups belong to different cultures and speak their own distinct languages as their mother tongues, the refusal strategies they employed may be different since speech acts are culture specific. The study intends to identify the refusal strategies employed by the three ethnic groups when they refuse their higher status interlocutor’s request to work extra-hour in English which is learnt as a second language. Four Malay, four Chinese and four Indian students of a Malaysian university were involved in the study. Data on refusal interactions were obtained through an open role-play based on a request initiating act and also from an interview conducted at the end of the role-play. Data were then transcribed and classified into semantic refusal strategies. Results indicate that the three ethnic groups exhibited high awareness of the status and power facto...
Many preschool teachers in Malaysia, who are teaching English as a foreign language (EFL), are ha... more Many preschool teachers in Malaysia, who are teaching English as a foreign language (EFL), are having problems in using and teaching English language proficiently in conversations.The methodology used by the teachers is largely traditional in nature and the preschool teachers still use grammar translation method and drills in rural preschools.This method lacks creativity and opportunities for young learners to acquire speaking skills.Although some studies have been conducted on the teaching of English to young learners, there is lack of research on the effects of using sociocultural theory and discourse-based approach in speaking competence among Malaysian young learners.Therefore, the present mixed-method classroom research aimed to examine the effect of a teaching intervention on the speaking skills among Malaysian preschoolers aged 5 to 6 years old. The study also examined the vocabulary learned, and the perceptions of preschool teachers on the needs and difficulties of teaching ...
International Journal of Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 2016
The interference of the native language in acquiring a foreign language is unavoidable. In an att... more The interference of the native language in acquiring a foreign language is unavoidable. In an attempt to explore the phenomenon why this occurs, the study was conducted in English as a foreign language writing. The study also investigated how the native language interference occurred in the writing process. In fact, this qualitative study explored the reasons and the process of native language interference in writing performances of EFL learners. The data were collected from Thai undergraduate students through semi-structured interviews. Results obtained from the analysis of this study suggested that the reasons of native language interference in EFL writing were found in three main themes: learning strategies of language learners, inadequate knowledge of the target language, and attitude towards English. Furthermore, the interference of the native language appeared in the initial stage and repeatedly occurred throughout the entire writing process. Finally, the suggestions related t...
Much research has investigated foreign/second language (FL/SL) anxiety among learners belonging t... more Much research has investigated foreign/second language (FL/SL) anxiety among learners belonging to various demographic backgrounds. However, very limited studies have explored this phenomenon among FL/SL users, more specifically from females’ perspectives. Additionally, the vast majority of this research has adopted quantitative techniques to identify the factors causing language anxiety. Therefore, this paper attempts to reduce this gap perceived in the literature by exploring the factors causing language anxiety among ESL users (English as a second language). A qualitative approach was adopted to collect data by conducting a focus group interview with four females, two PhD holders and PhD candidates. Remarkably, new findings were obtained by this research, where the cultural perception about women within the participants’ society was found out to be one of the reasons provoking language anxiety. Furthermore, a common belief about PhD candidates/holders to be highly proficient spea...
Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2019
Qualitative research is known as an exploratory research, in which the common modes of data colle... more Qualitative research is known as an exploratory research, in which the common modes of data collection are interviews, focus group discussions and observational methods. Though there is a large amount of data available on how to conduct qualitative research through the above-mentioned three modes, little do we know about photographic documentation as a rather new and under researched mode of data collection in qualitative research. This paper attempts to explore photographic documentation as a primary mode of data collection in linguistic landscape. Linguistic landscape is a very popular and thriving area of research in applied linguistics. It is the visibility and salience of languages in public spaces, most commonly conducted on public and private signboards. The usual norm of conducting research in linguistic landscape is to click pictures of signboards and conduct an analysis of the language used on those signboards. This paper discusses the pilot testing of this mode of data co...
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