Abstract
Learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) might be a daunting experience especially if it were to take place on a foreign land comprising speakers of diverse cultures and background. This paper thus aims to describe the responses of participants for a Summer School Programme at a tropical university in Asia. The respondents were non-native speakers of English and of Asian origin. Data were collected using closed and open-ended questions in a set of questionnaire. Forty respondents took part in the study. Quantitative data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistic while qualitative data employed thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the respondents provided positive responses towards the Summer School Programme in relation to course contents, venue of the class, textbook and materials used, classroom facilities and accommodation. In contrast, regarding trips and visits, a mixture of responses were obtained. Data emerging from thematic analysis also revealed that the Summer School programme had given them opportunity to use more English pertaining to listening and speaking skills. Apart from this, they had also gained experience in terms of better intercultural relation and increase in confidence level in using English as a form of communication. This programme had become an eye-opener to its participants on the importance of using English and enriched their experience in their language learning. The paper concludes with proposed future improvement of the programme.
Author Information
Rohayah Kahar, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
Adlina Abdul Samad, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
Noor Abidah Mohd Omar, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
Masdinah Alauyah Mohd Yusof, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
Ghazali Bunari, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
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