UCS101 ACADEMIC WRITING AND LEARNING Intan Nurbaizurra binti Mohd Rosmi ( E30103110097 ) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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QUESTION 3: ( Problem-Solving Essay )

Write a problem-solving essay of your choice of not less than 500 words. Students use language to communicate. While English is not an official in most countries, it is the language most often taught as a second language. Namely, Second Language refers to the
language learned after the mother tongue is acquired, which English after Malay Language. English is now required in every organization and most widely used in communicating around the world. But sadly to say, students nowadays are not practicing effective communication and some really dont want to practice even they are good in written communication but not that good when it comes to

oral because some are shy to let others hear their English, or afraid to execute a wrong grammar or bad sentence. It is clear then public figures, teachers, parents and even students recognize the
importance of English. At the same time almost everyone is aware of the rapidly declining standard of English in schools as well as the emergence of a substitute of English language, Manglish a Malaysian version of standard English . Many factors are the cause of poor communication among

the students such as peer pressure and motivation, attitudes towards English and school culture.
Most importantly all these identified problems are closely related to each other.

Peer pressure and motivation is the biggest factor of poor communication among the students. There is a significant correlation between the intensity of motivation and proficiency level. Students with greater motivational intensity perform better compared to students with low intensity. The first problem mentioned is the negative attitude of the students towards the learning of English in schools. They feel that the stumbling block towards the learning is the attitude of their peers. Students are shy to use English for fear of making grammatical mistakes and therefore are not willing to learn. Furthermore, teasing among peers is rampant and to avoid embarrassment , their response is to be silent as well as face saving to avoid conflicts as well as maintain personal integrity. Thats why positive peer influences can therefore help to solve the problems because if the peers try to speak they can create an English speaking environment. Besides they can help one another in reinforcing and motivating the learning of English. To overcome the narrow-mindedness and shyness mentality, English teachers can implement

punishments and a fine system to curb the teasing, jeering, laughing and shyness culture among the peers, hence monitoring the reactions of students when their peers speak English. It is
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UCS101 ACADEMIC WRITING AND LEARNING Intan Nurbaizurra binti Mohd Rosmi ( E30103110097 ) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

beneficial to educate all students to enhance positive attitudes towards learning and speaking English among themselves. Support and encouragement towards each other will ultimately improve their English proficiency and boost their level of confidence to converse fluently. The role as a student mainly gives big affect. In addition to improve themselves, there are a lot of way could be done. For example, announcements in school assemblies should be bilingual which, Malay and English for a start . Students should also plan their daily English activities such as they have English logbooks to write their thoughts and feelings. All students have to take turns to compose essays and poems in English. The notice boards must have the English compositions, proverbs and new vocabularies. Grammar quiz, Vocabulary Contest, Spelling bee, English mail, English sketch, singing and drama, educational trips & visits to English speaking factories, office and higher institutions are encouraged and other creative activities. Students should take the initiative to lead and not wait for English teachers to suggest new plans to help them. They should be empowered to organize, plan and implement activities. The school authorities should guide them, not discourage them so that a positive and supportive approach will help change the current negative attitude towards the learning of English.

The second factor would be the attitudes towards English itself. The element of anxiety did exist among the students in language learning. Teachers should help them by identifying effective ways to make the classroom environment less stressful. Getting students to work in pairs or small groups rather than individually in carrying out speaking exercises could create a more relaxed and less-threatening climate in the classrooms. The current practices should be reviewed so that good and practical planning can be done. In the classrooms, teachers can ease the feeling of discomfort and nervousness by directly discussing issues that affect them. It will reassure and help them to perceive their feelings as normal and experienced by many. They will learn to have realistic expectations on their own oral ability and will accept mistakes as part of learning. The core factor mainly the grammar skills must be strengthened by identifying problematic topics and planning series of intensive remedial classes that will help students gain sufficient knowledge and successfully apply these knowledge in their writing or utterances. Besides of that, teachers reflections on their approaches and methods of teaching are beneficial as it helps to keep track of students progress. Teachers will be more critical and accommodating to the needs of students especially those facing problems or lacking skills involved in language

UCS101 ACADEMIC WRITING AND LEARNING

UCS101 ACADEMIC WRITING AND LEARNING Intan Nurbaizurra binti Mohd Rosmi ( E30103110097 ) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

learning. Sometimes, there are some of the students in the rural area think that the use of English are being unpatriotic. The negative attitude must be corrected. The influence of rural cultural belief effects by the traditional beliefs handed by their grandparents and parents, for instance the effects of colonial rule and the association of English with yellow culture. Rural life therefore depends on religious beliefs. Rural students should be awaited that change is necessary for progress and learning a foreign language is not forbidden in the religion. Students should be given frequent talks about Islamic teachings in English so that this rural cultural misconception regarding English language can be corrected.

Another factor would be non supportive school culture includes the following features like non-English speaking environment, negative attitude of the school administrators, lack of educational facilities gives greater impact to poor communication. Thus, the lack of a favorable environment inhibiting the learning of English. Therefore, teacher can create this English

environment by conducting English assembly. The library, the classes as well as English Hall can be centers for English notices so students can read English literary work. The school public announcement system, speaker corners, English tables can convert the fear factor into love English culture. English Day can be made compulsory while all staff, academic and non academic staff is exposed to Basic English Grammar and English conversation courses. Once they are exposed to these courses, the background support will help students help learn and utilize the language. If each and every member of the school plays his part in encouraging the use of English, then the school culture will be conducive. To conclude, it is belief that peer pressure and motivation, attitudes towards English and non supportive school culture are some of the major factors that cause the poor communication among the students. Let us hope that our students will be cashed in the days to come.

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UCS101 ACADEMIC WRITING AND LEARNING Intan Nurbaizurra binti Mohd Rosmi ( E30103110097 ) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Several reasons explain this decline such as the switch from English to Malay as the medium of instruction in schools to limited exposure and use of English. This greatly affected the motivation to learn and teach English especially in rural areas. This is aggravated by the fact that English has low status in public exams as it is not essential to pass English. In addition English is not offered at STPM level (Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia) or pre university level

UCS101 ACADEMIC WRITING AND LEARNING