Abstract
The study examined any differences in self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies between two groups of international students in the Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) program in Malaysia, in which one group of 58 international students in their first semester, and another group of 18 international students in their second and third semesters. It followed by examining the effect of the use of SRL strategies on math performance for both groups. The Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) was used to measure the use of SRL strategies among international students, and the final score of the most manageable mathematical subject was used to measure their math performance. The result indicated that first-semester international students used as many SRL strategies as second- and thirdsemester international students, and no significant difference in math performance between the groups was found. The result also revealed that attitude towards academic tasks; motivation level and test taking strategies were positively associated with math performance of first-semester international students, while anxiety towards tests, attitude towards academic tasks and test taking strategies were positively associated with second- and third-semester international students’ math performance. Moreover, math performance of first-semester international students was significantly predicted by attitude towards academic tasks and test taking strategies, but second- and third-semester international students’ math performance was not significantly predicted by any SRL strategies.
Highlights
The number of international students at private institutions of higher education in Malaysia has been increased over the past few years
The similarities between first-semester international students and second- and thirdsemester international students are both groups achieve the same math success and exercise the same self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies in their goal to achieve math success, despite second- and third-semester international students are more familiar to the academic setting than first-semester international students
The finding of the study indicates that the association between the use of SRL strategies and math performance can be found among international students who are widely diversified in terms of educational and cultural backgrounds
Summary
The number of international students at private institutions of higher education in Malaysia has been increased over the past few years. Many studies on international students in Malaysia have examined their choice criteria in selecting the nation as their destination of higher education (British Council, 2008; Jani & Zubairi, 2010; Baharun et al, 2011; Dahari & Abduh, 2011). The event of September 11 caused students from the Middle East to cancel their plan to go to the US for education, and chose Malaysia as their destination of higher education (Sirat, 2008). These studies are considered important to the higher education institutions and the nation on the best ways to attract students that are more international
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