PERBEZAAN GENDER DAN STATUS SOSIOEKONOMI TERHADAP KEBIMBANGAN BAHASA ASING DALAM KALANGAN PELAJAR UNIVERSITI AWAM DI SABAH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51200/sapj.v11i2.4910Keywords:
Foreign Language Anxiety, University Students, Gender, Socioeconomic StatusAbstract
This study was conducted to identify the level of foreign language anxiety (FLA), gender differences,
and socioeconomic status influence on FLA among public university students in Sabah. The research was
carried out at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) branch in Kota
Kinabalu, Sabah. A total of 358 respondents, consisting of 104 males and 254 females, participated in this
study. The research adapted the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) questionnaire developed
by Horwitz, Horwitz, and Cope (1986). Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS) version 28.0. The study results indicated that the level of FLA among public university students
in Sabah is at a moderate level. The study also showed gender differences in FLA among male and female
students (p < .05), where female students (M = 97.97, SD = 20.88) exhibited higher levels of FLA compared to
male students (M = 91.22, SD = 20.09). Furthermore, the study revealed socioeconomic status differences in
FLA among public university students in Sabah (p < .05). The findings showed that students from low
socioeconomic status were reported to have high levels of FLA (M = 97.72, SD = 21.02). On the other hand,
students from high socioeconomic status had lower levels of FLA (M = 83.63, SD = 16.79). The findings of this
study can provide a deeper understanding and clarity for students, parents, and educators regarding the issue of
FLA that often occurs among students. Suggestions for future research include expanding the scope of locations
and study samples, diversifying data collection methods, and conducting longitudinal studies.
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