PERBEZAAN GENDER DAN STATUS SOSIOEKONOMI TERHADAP KEBIMBANGAN BAHASA ASING DALAM KALANGAN PELAJAR UNIVERSITI AWAM DI SABAH

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the level of foreign language anxiety (FLA), gender differences,and socioeconomic status influence on FLA among public university students in Sabah. The research wascarried out at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) branch in KotaKinabalu, Sabah. A total of 358 respondents, consisting of 104 males and 254 females, participated in thisstudy. The research adapted the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) questionnaire developedby Horwitz, Horwitz, and Cope (1986). Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for SocialScience (SPSS) version 28.0. The study results indicated that the level of FLA among public university studentsin Sabah is at a moderate level. The study also showed gender differences in FLA among male and femalestudents (p < .05), where female students (M = 97.97, SD = 20.88) exhibited higher levels of FLA compared tomale students (M = 91.22, SD = 20.09). Furthermore, the study revealed socioeconomic status differences inFLA among public university students in Sabah (p < .05). The findings showed that students from lowsocioeconomic status were reported to have high levels of FLA (M = 97.72, SD = 21.02). On the other hand,students from high socioeconomic status had lower levels of FLA (M = 83.63, SD = 16.79). The findings of thisstudy can provide a deeper understanding and clarity for students, parents, and educators regarding the issue ofFLA that often occurs among students. Suggestions for future research include expanding the scope of locationsand study samples, diversifying data collection methods, and conducting longitudinal studies.