The level of proficiency of Malay language reading skills of non-native students in primary school

• Main Author: Nahar, Nora Azian
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: Malay
• Published: Pusat Kajian Bahasa dan Budaya Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya 2020
• Subjects: L Education (General); PL Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania; PL5101 Malay
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/85789/7/Prosiding%20KOLITA%2018-2020.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85789/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

The process of accepting Malay as a second language does not come naturally but needs to be learned especially in reading skills. The previous study found that non-native speakers in Malaysia were less fluent in reading using the national language of Malaysia. This study was conducted to identify the level of proficiency in reading skills in National Type Schools (SJK). A total of 414 students from 5 SJKs were selected as study sampels. The analysis was done using the Reading Test set of UPBM_SR and the Level of Score. Data is processed using IBMSPSS Version 23 with a cross sectional survey design. The findings show that the majority of year 6 students only mastered the reading skills at a moderate level of proficiency. Although they have been in SJK for six years, the students only demonstrated limited Malay language skills. They are also found to be less proficient in reading of Malay language. It is apparent that students need high level of second language learning motivation and effective learning strategies to improve the level of reading skills.