2024_An Ethnographic Study Of English Language Learning Among Minority Thai-Speaking Pupils In Malaysian National Schools

Bibliographic Details
Format: General Document
_version_ 1860798347525226496
building INTELEK Repository
collection Online Access
collectionurl https://intelek.unisza.edu.my/intelek/pages/search.php?search=!collection3
copyright Copyright©PWB2025
country Malaysia
date 2024-09-23
format General Document
id 17401
institution UniSZA
originalfilename AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING AMONG MINORITY THAI-SPEAKING PUPILS IN MALAYSIAN NATIONAL SCHOOLS (PHD_2024).pdf
person Noormaizatul Akmar Muhamad Nasir
recordtype oai_dc
resourceurl https://intelek.unisza.edu.my/intelek/pages/view.php?ref=17401
sourcemedia Server storage
Scanned document
spelling 17401 https://intelek.unisza.edu.my/intelek/pages/view.php?ref=17401 https://intelek.unisza.edu.my/intelek/pages/search.php?search=!collection3 General Document Malaysia Library Staff (Top Management) Library Staff (Management) Library Staff (Support) Terengganu Faculty of Languages & Communication English application/pdf 1.7 Microsoft® Word 2019 Server storage Scanned document Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin UniSZA Private Access Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Copyright©PWB2025 Dissertations, Academic 2024-09-23 Noormaizatul Akmar Muhamad Nasir English Language Learning (ELL) Minority Ethnic Students Thai-Speaking Pupils Malaysian National Schools Multilingual Setting Third Language Acquisition Language Barriers Learning Strategies Code Switching Ethnography Primary Education Equitable Education English language -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Malaysia Second language acquisition -- Malaysia Minority students -- Education -- Malaysia Students, Thai -- Education -- Malaysia Multilingualism in schools -- Malaysia Language and education -- Malaysia Code switching (Linguistics) -- Educational aspects -- Malaysia 2024_An Ethnographic Study Of English Language Learning Among Minority Thai-Speaking Pupils In Malaysian National Schools Introduction: Language learning is complex and challenging, especially for young students. In diverse and multicultural societies, equitable education for all, including minority ethnic students, is crucial. This study explores the experiences of Malaysian Thai students learning English in early primary education at Malaysian National Schools, where Bahasa Malaysia is the primary language of instruction. Specifically, this research explores how minority Thai-speaking pupils learn English as their third language, the barriers they face in this multilingual setting, and the strategies they employ to overcome these challenges in their learning process. Methodology: This study employs a qualitative approach using an ethnographic design to generate in-depth knowledge of how Siamese minority pupils learn English in a second language context. By focusing on language use and social roles, the study examined informants within their social context. Data analysis, based on 37 classroom observations and interviews with five Thai-speaking pupils, was conducted using thematic analysis under the interpretivism paradigm, following an inductive approach to derive novel insights from the dataset. Results: The study found that minority Thai-speaking pupils employ code switching, direct translation, and specific seating policies as key strategies to learn English in a multilingual Malaysian context. Barriers to their learning include limited language mastery, dialect interference, illiteracy, and experiences of perceived racial discrimination and microaggressions. To overcome these challenges, pupils rely on translation assistance from advanced peers, scaffolding from knowledgeable others, and social support both inside and outside the classroom. Conclusion: These findings underscore the immediate need for proactive measures and reflection among educational authorities, educators, and the broader school community. Addressing the unique needs of minority ethnic students, particularly in the context of English language acquisition, is imperative in order to provide them with equitable opportunities for a more effective learning experience, irrespective of their cultural or ethnic backgrounds. Recognizing and rectifying these disparities in language learning opportunities will empower the concerned parties to cultivate an inclusive and nurturing environment conducive to the academic and personal development of all students. uuid:2A8494D0-883E-4809-BE10-C9C6EB89FF5F 483 AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING AMONG MINORITY THAI-SPEAKING PUPILS IN MALAYSIAN NATIONAL SCHOOLS (PHD_2024).pdf Thesis
spellingShingle 2024_An Ethnographic Study Of English Language Learning Among Minority Thai-Speaking Pupils In Malaysian National Schools
state Terengganu
subject Dissertations, Academic
English language -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Malaysia
Second language acquisition -- Malaysia
Minority students -- Education -- Malaysia
Students, Thai -- Education -- Malaysia
Multilingualism in schools -- Malaysia
Language and education -- Malaysia
Code switching (Linguistics) -- Educational aspects -- Malaysia
summary Introduction: Language learning is complex and challenging, especially for young students. In diverse and multicultural societies, equitable education for all, including minority ethnic students, is crucial. This study explores the experiences of Malaysian Thai students learning English in early primary education at Malaysian National Schools, where Bahasa Malaysia is the primary language of instruction. Specifically, this research explores how minority Thai-speaking pupils learn English as their third language, the barriers they face in this multilingual setting, and the strategies they employ to overcome these challenges in their learning process. Methodology: This study employs a qualitative approach using an ethnographic design to generate in-depth knowledge of how Siamese minority pupils learn English in a second language context. By focusing on language use and social roles, the study examined informants within their social context. Data analysis, based on 37 classroom observations and interviews with five Thai-speaking pupils, was conducted using thematic analysis under the interpretivism paradigm, following an inductive approach to derive novel insights from the dataset. Results: The study found that minority Thai-speaking pupils employ code switching, direct translation, and specific seating policies as key strategies to learn English in a multilingual Malaysian context. Barriers to their learning include limited language mastery, dialect interference, illiteracy, and experiences of perceived racial discrimination and microaggressions. To overcome these challenges, pupils rely on translation assistance from advanced peers, scaffolding from knowledgeable others, and social support both inside and outside the classroom. Conclusion: These findings underscore the immediate need for proactive measures and reflection among educational authorities, educators, and the broader school community. Addressing the unique needs of minority ethnic students, particularly in the context of English language acquisition, is imperative in order to provide them with equitable opportunities for a more effective learning experience, irrespective of their cultural or ethnic backgrounds. Recognizing and rectifying these disparities in language learning opportunities will empower the concerned parties to cultivate an inclusive and nurturing environment conducive to the academic and personal development of all students.
title 2024_An Ethnographic Study Of English Language Learning Among Minority Thai-Speaking Pupils In Malaysian National Schools
title_full 2024_An Ethnographic Study Of English Language Learning Among Minority Thai-Speaking Pupils In Malaysian National Schools
title_fullStr 2024_An Ethnographic Study Of English Language Learning Among Minority Thai-Speaking Pupils In Malaysian National Schools
title_full_unstemmed 2024_An Ethnographic Study Of English Language Learning Among Minority Thai-Speaking Pupils In Malaysian National Schools
title_short 2024_An Ethnographic Study Of English Language Learning Among Minority Thai-Speaking Pupils In Malaysian National Schools
title_sort 2024_an ethnographic study of english language learning among minority thai-speaking pupils in malaysian national schools