Challenges Faced by Malaysian Polytechnic English Lecturers in Utilizing Digital Language Lab

Abstract

Abstract The installation and upgrading of Digital Language Lab (DLL) from the analogue language laboratories into all Malaysia‟s polytechnic to improve the students‟ English language learning experience has received feedback both positive and negative from their English Language lecturers. This study explores the challenges of Seberang Perai Polytechnic English Language lecturers faced upon the utilization of DLL and its integration toward their teaching of English. The challenges are classified under three categories: challenges from the lab facilities, challenges from the teaching practices and challenges from the students themselves. This purpose of this study was to identify issues faced by the lecturers during DLL sessions that are detrimental in improving polytechnics students‟ language proficiency. From a total of 18 English Language lecturers from Seberang Perai Polytechnics, seven interviewees were purposively sampled and consented to be interviewed for in- depth research. Findings of this research reflect that majority of lecturers agree that although digital language lab enhances their teaching experiences in a variety of ways consecutively to catch up with the digitally native students yet at the same time informs of various challenges faced in order to integrate DLL into their lesson plan.