Indigenous Students and the Learning of English

Nik Nik

doi:10.3844/jssp.2010.443.446

Abstract

Problem statement: The problem of students' proficiency in English in the Malaysian primary schools is still debatable. Approach: Unless the problem of students' proficiency is solv ed at the primary school level, it will fossilize and con tribute toward students' anxiety in the language at the secondary and tertiary levels. Results: This research study looked into English needs of t he indigenous or 'Orang Asli' students in primary schools in the district of Rompin-Endau, Pahang. These indigenous students still lag in education and with the implem entation of teaching of science and mathematics in English in primary schools, they will be burdened w ith language difficulties. The researchers identify that the students preferred learning skill is liste ning to the teachers' explanation. And the task-bas ed activity that can improve their proficiency is list ening to songs and singing in English. Conclusion/Recommendations: Findings from this research could provide useful i nformation for the curriculum developers at the Ministry of Education of Malaysia whether to revamp the present English curriculum or formulate a new curriculum to meet th e English needs of the 'Orang Asli' students.

Highlights

Five years after the implementation of teaching of science and mathematics in English in Malaysian primary schools, the problem of students’ proficiency in the language is still debatable
Unless the problem is solved at the primary level, it will fossilize and contribute toward students’ anxiety in the language at the secondary and tertiary levels
The researchers will look into the English language needs of indigenous students in primary schools in the district of Rompin-Endau, Pahang

Summary

Introduction

Five years after the implementation of teaching of science and mathematics in English in Malaysian primary schools, the problem of students’ proficiency in the language is still debatable. The researchers will look into the English language needs of indigenous (in Malaysia it is known as ‘Orang Asli’) students in primary schools in the district of Rompin-Endau, Pahang.

Results

Conclusion