Our consciousness is somewhat shaped by our surroundings. External and internal consciousness can guide, explain, direct, and train us to form our socio-cultural belief systems. These socio-cultural belief systems may partly explain why we do what we do, why we see what we see, why we say what we say, and why we feel what we feel. Our consciousness, to a large extent, shapes and energizes our understanding of human beings� complex relations. As such, 9/11 strife-torn unrests, for example, leaves behind unnecessary complications, chaos, and risks, not only to many Americans, but also to other Islamic nation-states. These sporadic and unpredictable 9/11 complexities are not only discussed, debated, and negated, but has also contributed to our awareness on what it means to live in the post-9/11 era. While many of these explorations are affirmed, regarded, and profound in many Western nation-states, studies on 9/11 consciousness from Asian perspectives, particularly from the viewpoints of Muslim-dominated nations are, to this end, largely insufficient. Taking these contours into consideration, this paper attempts to discuss the extent to which 9/11 consciousness are highlighted in newspapers. Specifically, using spectrum of consciousness theory, this paper explores some of the many ways consciousness of 9/11 tensions is framed in five Malaysian newspapers. We will show the ways in which newspapers describe 9/11 contexts and how diverse layers of consciousness are delineated in the newspaper, forming some levels of questions, contests, and negotiations about 9/11 chaos. The discourse analysis included in this study will demonstrate different fragments of 9/11 reality. By describing these constructions of 9/11 in newspapers framed within spectrum of consciousness, we will be able to reveal the dynamics of these unsettled, unruly 9/11 complications.

In this 21st century, vast development in seen in globalization and technology, which indirectly influences the approach in teaching and learning. Although this development brings forth advantages to both teachers and students, it also affects them in negative ways. The reality is, in the classroom, the teacher is seen as the knowledge-giver; thus, they are also seen as the adab-shaper of the students in their class. Adab or the act of being courteous, is an Islamic etiquette that portrays good manners, which needs to be present and shown among Muslim students. Taking this issue into consideration, this paper attempts to discuss how an English language class can be an avenue for teachers to highlight the adab awarenss among students. Using refective practice method, this paper explores how a reading passage was used in the English language class for the teacher and students to reflect on their adab in lectures and classes in the university. The method allows the teacher and students to assess their thoughts and actions, for the purpose of personal learning and development. The data shows that students are aware of the adab in the society and that they have a role to ensure that they present their adab as taught by their parents, peers and teachers. They also realize that the adab that some teenagers portray may be negative, as it may be caused by the effect of the development of learning in the 21st century and changes in the language learning practice. It is hoped that teachers in the 21st century would continue to remind students that the adab in language learning is a value that would shape better future generations, especially in facing the world of globalization and technology. Thus, even in the English language class, teachers can remind the adab among students in order to prevent the negative attitude from conquering them.

As one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, English in Malaysia is also an important language for both national and global operations widely used in the aspects of business, education, and international relations. Due to such importance, there is constant concern towards the English language performance of students at all levels of education, and it is one of the issues addressed in the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025. This paper sought to answer the question of ‘What are the factors contributing to students’ English language performance?’, with specific reference to students from the religious education background at an Islamic-based public university in Malaysia. Derived from a larger study, this paper reported the qualitative findings gathered from interview sessions with a total of 47 English teachers, English and content subject lecturers as well as students regarding the factors contributing to the students’ English language performance. Findings revealed 4 main themes of internal features or inner components that influence the students’ English achievement which are: (1) teacher attributes (2) learner determination (3) learner beliefs / attitudes and (4) ‘I don’t understand’. The findings of this study reveal the needs to explore new areas to address the issue of students’ English language performance, particularly those of religious background education. It also has broader implications for the global community, which makes it critical for educators and policymakers to collaborate in developing new strategies and resources to help learners overcome the challenges and develop the language skills they need to thrive in today's interconnected world. With that, it is hoped that students are able to access the same opportunities for success as their peers, regardless of their linguistic or cultural background.

Every language curriculum is designed based on a particular theoretical orientation. Thus, when a language curriculum is designed based on specific theory, it is imperative that the contents presented in that curriculum align with its theoretical underpinning. This is to ensure the effectiveness of the curriculum. If the curriculum is not coherent, then the overall goals of the curriculum will not be achieved. The present Malaysian English language curriculum is developed and designed based on the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). In line with its label, the contents presented are expected to be coherent and in alignment with its communicative label including at its theoretical level. Thus, it is the aim of this current study to investigate if the theoretical grounding of the Malaysian form 4 English language curriculum, in particular, the speaking curriculum, is in alignment with its communicative label. The focus of the study is on the Malaysian form 4 English language speaking curriculum. Hence, data were collected from the form 4 English language curriculum specifications document and the form 4 English language textbook. Speaking-related statements were extracted from the documents and categorized under major Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theories and second language (L2) speaking theories in order to identify their alignment with the communicative approach. The findings show that the socio-cognitive and sociocultural (SCT) theories, the two theories which were merged to represent the SLA theory for communicative instructional approaches, were highly reflected in the Malaysian form 4 English language speaking curriculum. Results also exhibit that both the Interaction Hypothesis (IH) and Output Hypothesis (OH) which made up the Interactive L2 speaking theory were reflected in the data analysed. This confirms that the Malaysian form 4 English language speaking curriculum is primarily in alignment with its communicative label as reflected in the two main documents analysed. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the Malaysian English language speaking curriculum for Form Four is coherent with its communicative label at the Approach level.

Sistem pendidikan pondok merupakan sebuah institusi pendidikan agama Islam yang wujud serta diiktiraf oleh masyarakat. Ia berperanan untuk menyebarluas ilmu agama serta membentuk keperibadian Muslim yang sempurna. Pendidikan Islam yang diterapkan dalam pengajian tersebut adalah salah satu saluran terpenting untuk membentuk perwatakan dan pemikiran selari dengan nilai-nilai Islam. Kurangnya pemahaman kepada didikan Islam akan mendorong seseorang kepada kelakuan yang bertentangan daripada agama Islam. Maka, tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengenal pasti cabaran yang dihadapi oleh institusi pendidikan pondok selain mengkaji impak pelajar yang mengikuti sistem pendidikan pondok terhadap diri, rakan sebaya dan masyarakat. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kualitatif dan kuantitatif iaitu melalui analisis dokumen serta temu bual menerusi perbincangan meja bulat yang telah diadakan bersama pihak berkepentingan dan edaran borang soal selidik. Seramai 233 responden yang terlibat telah dipilih di beberapa buah Pondok di Semenanjung Malaysia. Dapatan menunjukkan terdapat tiga faktor utama yang menjadi cabaran kepada perkembangan pondok masa kini iaitu kurikulum, pengurusan dan pengiktirafan pengajian pondok. Hasil kajian turut mendapati, pelajar mengakui bahawa sistem pendidikan ini memberi impak positif kepada diri mereka (min 4.59). Mereka turut mengakui sistem pendidikan ini memberi manfaat kepada keluarga dan persekitaran mereka. Kesimpulannya, sistem pendidikan pondok berupaya untuk membentuk sahsiah pelajar kearah yang lebih baik dan menghasilkan pelajar yang berkualiti.

Introduction- Writing is a skill that amalgamates various knowledge like vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling, and grammar. ‘Carousel with a Destination’ (CwaD) is a concept that provides the students with the required knowledge which is to be pieced together in writing. Carousel refers to the stations arranged in a circle and each station offers different activities which are related to the chosen topic and skills for writing. In the case of this study, it was ‘Picnic’. Hence, the usual carousel that goes round and round now has a destination which is writing. Students go around the carousel to complete an activity related to the knowledge and skill in writing at each station. The activities are in variety and competitive in nature. The conceptual framework for CwaD combines Perceptual Learning Styles, Gamification, and Affective Filter. Purpose – This paper highlights CwaD - the project and more importantly, it discusses the concept of effective fun learning. Thus, to show its effectiveness, the paper puts forth a study as proof of the success of CwaD. Methodology – This study utilised a simple and direct pencil-paper questionnaire. The respondents were 56 year five students who participated in the project. The questionnaire consists of four dichotomous questions. The dichotomy is symbolised by a smiling face and a sad face. Further, three of the questions are accompanied by two short lines with questions like ‘Why’ and ‘What’. They are for the students to express themselves in detail using words they know. Findings – There are three findings that can be shared. Firstly, the students really enjoyed participating in the project. It was discovered that all of them circled a smiling face for each of the four questions. Secondly, the writing they produced was good as they used the vocabulary, the paragraph structure and correct grammar which they just learnt at the carousel stations. Thirdly, the words they chose to express themselves in the questionnaire reflect the elements that they like about CwaD – either regarding the activities, the teachers or the ‘learning’ itself. All the words are positively-connotated. Significance – CwaD is sustainable in terms of scalability where it can be conducted for any subject and for any number of students. It is beneficial as an introduction or as a recapitulation of any topic.

This paper reviews literature on the use of Cooperative Learning (CL) approach in language classrooms. Specifically, the paper aims to identify CL activities used in language classrooms in promoting learners’ oral skills. Past studies using both quantitative as well as qualitative research approaches were reviewed, and ten CL activities explored by researchers to facilitate learners’ oral skills were identified. Findings from the studies reviewed show promising results. Following that, this paper further presents how these ten CL activities can be used by language practitioners in their language classrooms to promote their learners’ oral skills.

School Based Assessment (SBA) is a concept integrated in the Malaysian education system to harmonise assessment of an educator into the process of teaching and learning, with an idea to optimize students’ understanding of a subject they are learning. When the Covid-19 virus ravages the world, the education sector was not spared, schools were quick to be shut down in fear of the disease. It was not long before the education system was forced to adapt the unconventional method of leaning to outlast the pandemic. Rushing, even in good intention, comes with myriad of the issues and the concern of the effectivity of SBA in this new environment is not excused. With student focused education principles rooted in the education system, to being virtually available in a virtual classroom is a challenge to both to the teachers and students. To enforce discipline and to engage individual student in of itself is not an easy task let alone when both parties separated by miles away. Thus, this paper will cast an overview the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic to the Malaysian education system, issues related to online assessment in the Malaysia education system during pandemic and assessment practices, challenges and solution during pandemic by other countries.

This paper reports on the role of contextual support and cognitive challenge in second language (L2) tasks. Studies have investigated task complexity by focusing on the cognitive demands of tasks, but little has explored the role of context in L2 learning tasks. The main aim of the study is to explore the effect of different contextual and cognitive support in tasks. Two communicative decision-making tasks were designed, based on Cummins' (1984) model of designing communicative tasks. Fourteen learners completed these tasks and their voices about views of the tasks were gathered in interviews. Transcribed interviews were analyzed thematically, and compared to the model. The data revealed various associations to context that link to prior knowledge, experience and interpersonal support; and cognitive demands that link to abstract concepts and higher-order thinking. The findings also show that learners regard tasks as easy when there is high-contextual support, and difficult when there is high-cognitive demand, which contributes to different L2 task performance. This study shows that Cummins' (1984) framework provides a substantial platform for task design as it considers learners' background knowledge and cognitive ability for L2 learning experience to take place comfortably.

The use of tasks in the language classroom has been one of the current trends in language teaching. According to Edwards and Willis (2005), task-based language teaching (TBLT) provides contexts for activating learner acquisition processes and promotes second language (L2) learning. This paper reports a study that explores a diverse use of tasks in the English language classroom. The aim of the paper is to describe a task designed for low proficiency L2 learners’, and to explore learners’ task performance and their use of the L2 in the tasks. The study took place in a tertiary setting in Malaysia, and involved fourteen L2 learners. The task was designed based on Cummins’ (1981) framework, which focuses on the role of context and cognitive demands in language development. Learners’ worked in pairs, and were observed in the classroom. Each pair of learners’ discussions was audio-recorded, which were later analysed for their L2 use. Results indicated that learners’ L2 use increased when contextual support is high and cognitive demands is low. This suggests that designing tasks with higher order thinking is a challenge for teachers especially when it involves tertiary learners and requires learners to communicate more in their L2.

Students who learn Arabic as a foreign language in a foreign country usually face difficulties to achieve proficiency in the language. This is primarily because of the lack of Arabic language resources. However, this situation does not hinder the emergence of a group of outstanding students who achieve fluency in Arabic by using their own methods. This study investigated the methods used by these students to be used as a guideline for other students. To collect the data, a set of questionnaire was developed from the Imitation Strategy Instrument introduced by Rosni Samah (2014). The questionnaires were distributed to 50 outstanding final year students from the Arabic language department, Faculty of Major Languages, Islamic Science University of Malaysia. The results showed that effective strategies for learning Arabic language as a foreign language were gathering, enhancing and applying. The targets are new vocabulary and sentence. The tools to perform the strategies were Arabic materials and language activities. This study recommends that in learning Arabic language as a foreign language, the three methods mentioned above should be applied. The Arabic materials should be provided and language activities should be organized. The effective methods used by outstanding students should be used as a guideline for other students to be more proficient in Arabic Language.

Introduction- The role and position of the English language within the higher education has increasingly played a significant role as the leading language of academic publications, technologies as well as communication. The higher institutions in the country hold important responsibilities to educate and produce the younger generation of Malaysians as potential human resources that not only fulfil the needs of the local and international workforce in the attempt to achieve the national’s aspiration of a developed country. Purpose – This study seeks to understand and gain insights on the undergraduate students’ English language literacies in relation to the demand of the literacy practices and competencies needed at the tertiary level. The literacy practices in this instance include academic literacies that encompasses not only knowledge of discrete language skills and appropriate language use in context, but it is to be holistically understood to include also competence in reading and writing. Methodology – Subsequently, data were collected via questionnaires and focus groups with selected undergraduate from various disciplines to investigate whether their educational and environmental factors influence their existing level of English language competencies. Analysis of the course outlines was conducted to gain insights of the competencies and demands expected on the required university. Findings – In doing so, in-depth insights of the challenges faced, along with expectations held by various parties are gained in order to ascertain the expected proficiency needed for undergraduate students to meet the English language demands and needs at the universities. Significance – The study will contribute to the knowledge of how students’ English language literacies can meet the demand of the literacy practices and competencies needed at the tertiary level.

The role and position of the English language within the higher education has increasingly plays a significant role as the leading language of academic publications, technologies as well as communication. The higher institutions in the country hold important responsibilities to educate and produce the younger generation of Malaysians as potential human resources that not only fulfil the needs of the local and international workforce in the attempt to achieve the national’s aspiration of a developed country. This study seeks to understand the undergraduate students’ English language literacies in relation to the demand of the literacy practices and competencies needed at the tertiary level. The literacy practices in this instance include academic literacies that encompasses not only knowledge of discrete language skills and appropriate language use in context, but it is to be holistically understood to include also competence in reading and writing. Subsequently, data were collected via questionnaires and focus groups with selected undergraduate from various disciplines to investigate whether their educational and environmental factors influence their existing level of English language competencies.. Findings of the study provides in-depth insights of the challenges faced, and the language literacy practices needed in meeting the expectations of potential employers of the required English language skills to be used at workplace.

Classroom assessment differs from examinations and other student evaluation forms. The fundamental purpose of classroom assessment is to enable teachers and students to improve the quality of learning in the classroom by utilising a learner-centred, teacher-directed, mutually beneficial, and embedded in best practices approach. Assessment for learning, assessment of learning, and assessment as learning are the three types of classroom assessments that most education systems focus on. Assessment for learning is commonly used in classroom assessments to encourage and motivate students to learn. It is vital to ensure students learn what they need to learn. As a result, teachers' assessment procedures are required to provide accurate and indicative information about a student's current level of learning. This paper aims to provide literature reviews on issues regarding assessment for learning in an ESL classroom. The issues reviewed began with the history of implementing school-based and classroom assessments and the issues and challenges associated with assessment in the Malaysian education system. This paper also covered assessments aligned on 21st-century learning to instil 21st-century skills among students through classroom assessment. The relevance of assessment for learning and why it matters in 21st-century education are then highlighted in this paper. Finally, it offers some recommendations for improving the quality of ESL classroom assessments. In conclusion, this paper provides insight into classroom assessment practice and knowledge in preparation for future studies.

By taking Malaysia as a case in point, this paper explores ideological constructions regarding the position of the English language that are created as a result of collisions between prioritizing nationalist and realizing globalization agendas. Through a discourse analysis of newspaper texts across two of Malaysia’s press, The Star and New Straits Times, the discussion will show how these newspaper items represent certain world-views on ‘measures’ of the standardization of the English language. It is argued that they illuminate some of the many issues that stage dialogues between local/global continuities and disjunctures on how English language ‘should’ be positioned within the changing and challenging landscape of multilingualism and ‘global English.’ This article also attempts to extend the debate further to show examples of postcolonial ‘revisions’ to displace these points, highlighting alternative voices to articulate colonial ‘visions’ of the globalization of English.

21st Century Learning has commonly been directed to optimise learners’ acquisition of knowledge and skills. However, less emphasis is placed on the 21st century skills needed by the teachers, particularly in the teaching of Islamic Religious Studies which emphasises the integration of Naqli and Aqli knowledge. Saavedra and Opfer (2012) propose these nine pedagogical elements of 21stCentury Skills required for the 21stCentury Teaching; Making it relevant, teaching through the disciplines, developing thinking skills, Encouraging learning transfer, Teaching students how to learn, Addressing misunderstandings directly, Treating teamwork like an outcome, Exploiting technology to support learning and Fostering creativity. This paper investigated the knowledge, skills of 21st Century learning and the Naqli-Aqli knowledge that teacher trainees impart in their practicum training. Analysis is based on 21 Reflective Journals written by 21 pre-service teachers during their 4-month Practicum Training in public secondary national schools. Through rich and exclusive data, findings indicate that the teacher trainees to some extent did adopt some of these pedagogical elements as well as the integration of Naqli-Aqli knowledge. It is hoped that this paper is able to reveal some insights in understanding the issues of implementing 21st Century Learning and integrating the Naqli-Aqli knowledge in classrooms.

Pondok Institution is one of the earliest institutions concentrating in Islamic education established especially in Malay Peninsula. The growth of schools and madrasah administered by the government as well as private has reduced the development of the pondok in the early 90s. However, at present, pondok studies are burgeoning due to the high demand from the community. Although the pondok institution can be regarded as pioneers in instituting Islamic education, survey that has been conducted finds that there is no clear, transparent coordination in the curriculum or studies provided. This paper discusses some aspects of education in pondok institutions, particularly on the challenges and impediments faced by the pondok administrators from the point of view of officials in the Islamic Religious Department and the State Islamic Religious Council, who are invited during a roundtable discussion. Group interviews were conducted. The interview data were recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically using ATLAS ti software. The study reveals that studies concerning pondok instutions are increasingly gaining acceptance from local communities. In addition, there are three main factors that support the development of the present pondok education which are the curriculum, finance and management of the pondok study itself. By focusing on issues and challenges surrounding pondok education, this study is a start to a beginning of a worthwhile and meaningful discussion of what it means to develop pondok institution and teach Islamic education within Malaysian context.

This study investigated the effect of jigsaw cooperative learning technique on the seventh graders' reading comprehension in teaching EFL at Qalqilya city, Palestine. The study examined the effect of the teaching technique based on the following variables: gender, academic qualifications and years of experience for the English language teachers. To achieve the purpose of the study, the researcher developed one tool: a 12 item questionnaire. The researcher distributed the questionnaire randomly on a sample of 100 Palestinian English language teachers in 40 schools at Qalqilya city. A quantitative method was used to analyze the collected data. The collected data were analyzed and treated statistically using SPSS. The results of the study revealed that Palestinian seventh graders’ have positive attitudes towards using jigsaw cooperative learning technique as a tool of teaching EFL. Furthermore, the 7th graders were exposed to jigsaw-based cooperative learning in learning reading in their English class. Additionally, the results of the study recommended that teachers should avoid merely utilizing lecture method and the traditional way in teaching EFL for seventh graders, as that may lead for low participation and low understanding of the concepts. Schools teachers should concentrate on cooperative techniques or teaching methods like jigsaw technique, which will allow pupils to understand the concepts taught in class. In addition, the result suggested that further researches should be conducted on the effect of jigsaw cooperative learning technique on various English skills and other school subjects.

Efforts to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus have been carried out on a large scale around the world, and among the measures that have been taken is to change the mode of learning among students in universities to online learning. Although various online learning platforms have been made available for student use, the level of mastery of students as well as the challenges they face to maximize the use of technology while studying from home is still understudied. This study will add to the previous research by focusing on the aspects of English language online learning processes experienced by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) students during the Movement Control Order period. This study collected qualitative data through open-ended questions which were distributed online, involving 29 first-year students from the Bachelor of English with Commerce (BELCOM). The data revealed two (2) categories of challenges – external and internal. Internet connection and environment are for external while understanding and communication are for internal. In relation to each of the challenges, the respondents also shared their coping mechanisms which are two-pronged. Some respondents just accepted those hurdles while many of them took charge and took action in solving the problems. These coping mechanisms could be used as guides for other learners facing difficulties in learning online at home.

Goal achieving curricular are often coherent at their fundamental level. In order for a curriculum to achieve its goals, it is imperative that the curriculum is coherent at all levels. What is presented in a curriculum must align with its theoretical underpinning. The present Malaysian English language curriculum is developed and designed based on the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). Thus, the purpose of the current study was to examine if the theoretical grounding of the Malaysian form five English language curriculum, in particular the speaking curriculum, is in alignment with its communicative label. In line with its label, the speaking curriculum embedded in the Malaysian form five English language curriculum should be developed and designed based on the CLT. It should reflect the CLT approach. The data for this study were collected from the Form Five English Language Curriculum Specifications document and the Form Five English Language textbook. In analyzing the alignment of the Malaysian form five English language speaking curriculum with the communicative approach, the data were categorized under major second language acquisition (SLA) theories and second language (L2) speaking theories. The findings show that the socio-cognitive and socio-cultural theories are highly reflected in the Malaysian form five English Language speaking curriculum, the two theories which are closely related to the communicative approach. This shows that the Malaysian form five English language speaking curriculum is primarily in alignment with its communicative label. The findings are discussed in relation to their implications on English as a foreign language (EFL) speaking instruction.