Error Analysis In Learning Malay Language Among Foreign Students

This study investigates lexical errors and classifies the phonological errors that are committed by foreign students in learning the Malay language as a foreign language at Multimedia University, Cyberjaya. Both the contrastive analysis approach and error analysis have been applied on written tests among 75 foreign students from Botswana, China, Iran and Indonesia. They have attended Malay Language classes (Bahasa Kebangsaan B) for a semester or fourteen weeks. Written tests and observations were used in the process of data collection for eight weeks. A total of 182 orthography errors were identified and grouped into five areas according to the level of difficulties. These include the numbers in words, followed by question words, simple communication words, personal pronouns, and finally greeting words. On the other hand, the most frequently found phonological errors involve the changes of letters with other letters. These errors occur differently according to demographic background, especially the country of origin and mother tongue. At the present stage, foreign students are generally passive in the learning of Malay language. The location of MMU as an English campus in Cyberjaya has also exposed students more to the English learning environment. In such scenario, the role of language teachers and motivation of learning are very important. In addition, preparation methods, reference materials and teaching activities to attract students should also be emphasized. Results and recommendations of this study are particularly vital for prospective teachers to be involved in the teaching of Malay language as foreign language. This study is in line with efforts to promote Malay Language in the international arena and, is complementary to the 10th Malaysia Plan that aims to attract 150,000 foreign students.