Shyness and groupism as prevalent cultural and attitudinal traits in learning English as a second language

This paper explores the notion that learners’ social and cultural milieu are linked to language learning outcomes (Gardner, 1985). It investigates the perplexing problem of post-secondary students who cannot seem to achieve the necessary competence in using English verbally despite being in an envir...

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Main Author: Mohammad Lotfie, Maskanah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: 2007
Subjects:
Online Access:http://irep.iium.edu.my/617/1/Maskanah_Article_on_Shyness.pdf
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author Mohammad Lotfie, Maskanah
author_facet Mohammad Lotfie, Maskanah
author_sort Mohammad Lotfie, Maskanah
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description This paper explores the notion that learners’ social and cultural milieu are linked to language learning outcomes (Gardner, 1985). It investigates the perplexing problem of post-secondary students who cannot seem to achieve the necessary competence in using English verbally despite being in an environment where the target language is substantially used as the medium of instruction. The study focuses on three culture-related traits namely inwardness, shyness and groupism. Data collection involved 54 post-secondary Malay students and findings indicate that shyness and groupism play an important part in hindering students’ use of the target language. Students’ responses generally suggest that shyness and groupism decrease students’ oral participation in class. Students may make a conscious decision in not using the language as they are shy and the use may lead to a feeling of isolation from members of their in-groups.
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spelling oai:generic.eprints.org:6172011-07-21T07:17:24Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/617/ Shyness and groupism as prevalent cultural and attitudinal traits in learning English as a second language Mohammad Lotfie, Maskanah L Education (General) P Philology. Linguistics This paper explores the notion that learners’ social and cultural milieu are linked to language learning outcomes (Gardner, 1985). It investigates the perplexing problem of post-secondary students who cannot seem to achieve the necessary competence in using English verbally despite being in an environment where the target language is substantially used as the medium of instruction. The study focuses on three culture-related traits namely inwardness, shyness and groupism. Data collection involved 54 post-secondary Malay students and findings indicate that shyness and groupism play an important part in hindering students’ use of the target language. Students’ responses generally suggest that shyness and groupism decrease students’ oral participation in class. Students may make a conscious decision in not using the language as they are shy and the use may lead to a feeling of isolation from members of their in-groups. 2007 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/617/1/Maskanah_Article_on_Shyness.pdf Mohammad Lotfie, Maskanah (2007) Shyness and groupism as prevalent cultural and attitudinal traits in learning English as a second language. Journal of Educational Research, 27 (2). pp. 63-72.
spellingShingle L Education (General)
P Philology. Linguistics
Mohammad Lotfie, Maskanah
Shyness and groupism as prevalent cultural and attitudinal traits in learning English as a second language
title Shyness and groupism as prevalent cultural and attitudinal traits in learning English as a second language
title_full Shyness and groupism as prevalent cultural and attitudinal traits in learning English as a second language
title_fullStr Shyness and groupism as prevalent cultural and attitudinal traits in learning English as a second language
title_full_unstemmed Shyness and groupism as prevalent cultural and attitudinal traits in learning English as a second language
title_short Shyness and groupism as prevalent cultural and attitudinal traits in learning English as a second language
title_sort shyness and groupism as prevalent cultural and attitudinal traits in learning english as a second language
topic L Education (General)
P Philology. Linguistics
url http://irep.iium.edu.my/617/1/Maskanah_Article_on_Shyness.pdf
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