LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

The English language may be the most important foreign language in UUM. As a result English
learning plays an important role in learning activities throughout UUM. Foreign languages centre
where English is mainly taught can be found all over the country. Its importance can easily be
seen through different levels. Most job applicants are required certain levels of English if they
want a good job with a good salary. Civil servants or government workers are encouraged to
learn English to meet the requirement of promotion. University students need a certificate of
intermediate level in English to meet the requirement of graduation. Students have to study
English when they are in grade six, and English is one of the compulsory subjects on which
grade-12 students are tested in their State Graduation Examination. However, most of the
students cannot use their English communicatively after studying it for seven years in their
schools and also passing some credits in universities. The reasons for this problem are many and
various but the focus of this study is on the reasons related to motivation. The insights into this
subject can help UUM student find new ways to improve the quality of student and learning
English at UUM. Most researches that are relevant to language learning and motivation are
conducted in European countries where English has been used mainly as a second language or a
foreign language; yet, not many researches have been conducted in Southeast Asia since the
geographical and historical factors are much more complicated. Undoubtedly, English has been
an international language used world widely including in Malaysia; nevertheless, the role of
English in our country is so insignificant that on one hand, it can be viewed as a ‘second
language’ as in most big cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Ipoh, George Town, etc.
where English has been used in most business sectors; on the other hand, it serves as a ‘foreign
language’ as in most rural areas where English is not used at all in daily life (Davison, 2005).