INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
In addition, Kuala Lumpur, the capital and largest city of Malaysia, was ranked 31st among the best student cities by QS Top Universities (Top Universities, 2021). Which means Malaysia's national funding for higher education includes a growing number of partnerships with universities around the world.
Problem Statement
All the different types of challenges among international students in Malaysia can be grouped into two main categories; intercultural challenges and language challenges (Yassin et al., 2020). As a result, international students may struggle to succeed due to their failure or inability to meet the demands of the host culture's educational system.
Research Questions
Research Objectives
To determine the relationship between cross-cultural challenge and learning sustainability among international students at Malaysian Private University. To determine the relationship between language challenge and learning sustainability among international students at Malaysian Private University.
Significance of the Study
There is a significant negative relationship between language challenges and learning sustainability among international students in a Malaysian private university. RQ4: Are language challenges significantly associated with learning sustainability among international students in a Malaysian private university.
LITERATURE REVIEW 9
Intercultural Challenges
According to McMullan (2015), intercultural communication is not a new concept, it exists if people from different cultures have met each other. As a result, the researcher used the broad definition of intercultural communication suggested by Bennet (1998), in the present study which is.
Language Challenges
RQ3: Are cross-cultural challenges significantly associated with learning sustainability among international students at Malaysian Private University? H1: There is a significant relationship between cross-cultural challenges and learning sustainability among international students at the Malaysian private university. H2: There is a significant relationship between language difficulties and learning sustainability among international students at the Malaysian private university.
The first research question in this study is to examine the cross-cultural challenges faced by international students at the Malaysian Private University. The second research question in this study is to examine the language challenges faced by international students at the Malaysian Private University. The impact of the communication problems among international students at a private university in Malaysia was effectively investigated in this study.
Learning Sustainability
Research Approach
In the deductive approach, the structure of the logical argument must be very formal in order to establish consensus (Krivogorsky, 2011; Zalaghi & Khazaei, 2016). Zalaghi and Khazaei (2016) considered that when the author uses the deductive approach to a research topic, he first formulates a series of hypotheses to be investigated, and then tests the hypothesis using an appropriate technique. This assumption is then tested by comparing it to the data and accepted or denied (Snieder & Larner, 2009; Zalaghi & Khazaei, 2016).
The current study began by examining the impact of communication challenges on the learning sustainability of international students.
Research Strategy
Population and Sample
- Sampling and Sample Size
- Sampling Technique
The researcher should carefully consider how to select a sample that is representative of the entire group so that he can draw accurate conclusions from his findings. Probability sampling will be used in the current study, which refers to the fact that every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen (McCombes, 2021a). Probability sampling techniques are the best option to obtain results that are representative of the entire population.
Each member of the population has exactly equal probability of being selected in this sampling method.
Data Collection Procedure
When researching a group of people, it is unusual for a researcher to be able to collect data from each of them. Due to the low cost and flexibility of this method, online surveys are a popular choice for students conducting dissertation research. Considering the convenience of using this method, the present study will opt for the online survey as the tool to collect data.
This is also due to the time constraint that the researcher has to collect the data and complete the research within one trimester, which is equal to 12 weeks.
Data Collection Technique
The inclusion of these articles is to identify common language challenges that international students face. The first research objective of the study is to identify the intercultural challenges faced by international students in Malaysian private university. The second research objective of the study is to identify the language challenges faced by international students in Malaysian private university.
The third research question is to determine the relationship between intercultural challenges with learning sustainability among international students in Malaysian private universities.
Questionnaire Design
Measurements and Operationalization of Variables
- Intercultural and Language Challenges
- Learning Sustainability
- Intercultural Adaptation
- Language Adaptation
As shown in Table 3.5, item No.3 in the original questionnaire is not relevant to current context, as not many students will involve in research. In addition, one item was added to the questionnaire, item No.5 "I would recommend this university to my relatives and friends in my home country." The inclusion of this item is to measure the satisfaction level of the student about their university experience. The original scale consists of 13 items, but due to some irrelevant items, the modified scale has only 11 items that have already been adjusted according to the needs of the present study based on supervisory committee's suggestions.
The lecturers speak so fast that I could not understand them at the beginning of my studies in Malaysia.
Questionnaire validation
This showed that this is the main problem faced by the international students of this study. LC7 is about international students who cannot understand the jargon used in the Malaysian private university. The fourth research question is to determine the relationship between language challenges with learning sustainability among international students in Malaysian private university.
In this research, international students need their own time and space to learn in classrooms.
Pre - Test and Pilot Test
Reliability Analysis
It will go through a coding procedure in which raw data is converted into numerical form using (SPSS), a leading statistical analysis program. The numerical data is presented in the form of charts, bar charts, pie charts and tables and is fed into the SPSS program.
Data Analysis Techniques
By adopting social learning theory, this current study contributed to a deeper understanding of the cross-cultural and linguistic challenges of learning sustainability among international students at a Malaysian private university. International students' ability to participate effectively in classroom learning can be limited by language barriers. If universities do not follow the scenario, the number of international students in Malaysia may decrease.
Your response to this survey will help me identify the challenges that international students face.
FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS 34
Data Screening and Cleaning Analysis
With these data entry errors, the survey responses are analyzed for the missing values. Although this study was conducted via an online survey, it is important for the researcher to ensure that all values are present and that there are no missing values. As can be seen from Table 4.1 and Table 4.2, there are no missing values.
Demographic Profiles
Reliability Analysis
Data Normality
Analysis of Intercultural
According to Russell et al. 2010), international students experience isolation and loneliness in different ways while studying in the United States. In a recent survey of 900 international students, the study found that 41% of international students in Australia experience significant levels of stress. Campbell and Li (2007) examined the cultural adjustment of Asian students in New Zealand and found that international students face a variety of challenges, ranging from their classroom interaction patterns to a lack of academic norms and conventions to inadequate support in the class. .
The respondents in this study are all international Chinese students who may be facing an intercultural challenge after experiencing culture shock.
Analysis of Language Challenges
On the contrary, the respondents of this study wanted their own space and time to adapt the environment. The Chinese international students in this study may have a mental block and fear of speaking. English language barriers had a negative impact on the learning sustainability of international students, which was also strongly confirmed by previous research as described in the literature review (Yassin et al, 2020).
The Chinese international students of this study, who may be studying English in their native country, and applying it in real-life situations may be a challenge for them.
Hypotheses Testing
- Determination Correlation Test (R 2 )
Intercultural barriers can have a detrimental impact on international students' learning outcomes, which are linked to the achievement of long-term learning. The ultimate goal is to provide international students with the skills they need to assimilate and. Misunderstanding of international cultural conventions and idioms in specific host situations is one of international students' issues.
Being IC10 international students need their own time and space to learn in the classroom. International students need support from their peers to learn and adapt to a new environment. As previously stated, international students in Malaysian private universities have experienced problems affecting their ability to continue their studies.
DISCUSSION 53
Intercultural challenges faced by international students
Language challenges faced by international students
The relationship between intercultural challenges with learning
Institutions of higher education should provide an English program for international students to help them improve their language skills. Universities should provide international students with a unique orientation to Malaysian culture and intellectual culture in general. It is also suggested that future research examine any other major challenges facing international students.
This opens up an opportunity for future research that could include more private universities and international students from different countries. In addition, the findings of this study would be useful to the university in further improving the quality of services for international students. I heard from some friends that local (Malaysian) students don't like international students.
The relationship between intercultural challenges with learning
Implication of the Study
- Theoretical Contribution
- Practical Contribution
This may see the international students seek out the domestic students on how to communicate and their presence in the classroom, which may help. The international students will observe the culture of Malaysia and the slang used here, the outcomes of this study showed that it is still relevant and applicable for international students. The local students and professors must understand the importance of welcoming international students and recognizing their differences.
In order to communicate with international students, local students must build intercultural competence, including providing training for staff who deal with international students.
Limitation of the Study
Conclusion
If you have any further questions regarding the survey, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at: aarthimuniandy@gmail.com.
