Malaysian Language Learners’ Perception Towards Learning Arabic Pass the Critical Period

Abstract

Many people today have become aware of the outcomes and benefits that they would get from learning a second or third language. Some examples of the many benefits of learning more than just one language is that it increases people’s opportunity in landing jobs, expanding their social network and getting access to education. Though it is never too late for anyone to start learning a new language, it is widely proven by researchers that younger learners tend to secure better performance of the language compared to adult learners. Hence, this paper is an empirical study that employs a qualitative research design. For the methodology of this study, the researcher interviewed three participants who are among the undergraduate students at the Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) that are currently required to learn the Arabic language as one of the graduation requirements. The purpose of this study is to investigate the participant’s perception of having to learn a new language, the Arabic language, at a later age and how they are motivated to continue learning. In accordance with the findings, it was recorded that all three participants had a hard time comprehending the Arabic language, but they kept on learning because they all had one similar goal which was to complete the requirement. is considered as the most challenging activity and the most difficult language skill among EFL learners. This experimental study looks at how creative activities affect the writing abilities and attitudes of ninth-grade learners toward English. The study's pre- and post-testing strategy involved one group. The study was conducted during four weeks in 2020- 2021 academic year in an English medium school of Faisalabad, Punjab. The study included 15 ninth grade students, 10 of them were females (66.7%) and 5 of them were males (33.3%). When pre and post test scores were examined, it was observed that the experiment raised students' efficiency in writing skill. Students’ attitude to English course was also increased when compared after the experiment. Result revealed that using creative activities enhanced writing skill and also has a positive effect on attitude to English Language.