UNIVERSITY TEKNOLOGI MARA

A STUDY ON STUDENTS’ ANXIETY LEVEL AND SELF-CONFIDENCE

TOWARDS SPEAKING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: A CASE OF

LAW STUDENTS

ZULAIKHA KHAIRUDDIN

Dissertation submitter in partial of fulfillment of the requirementfor the degree of

MASTER OF EDUCATION (TESL)

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

AUGUST 2015

CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION

I declare that work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulations of

Universiti Teknologi MARA. This thesis is original and the result of my own work,

unless otherwise indicated or acknowledged as reference work. This topic has not been

submitted to any other academic institution for any other degree or qualification.

In the event that my thesis be found to violate the conditions mentioned above, i

voluntarily waive the right conferment of my degree and agree be subjected to the

disciplinary rules and regulations of Univeristi Teknologi MARA

NAME OF STUDENTS : ZULAIKHA BINTI KHAIRUDDIN

STUDENTS’ ID NO. :2013717197

PROGRAMME : MASTER OF EDUCATION IN TESL (ED770)

FACULTY : FACULTY OF EDUCATION

THESIS TITLE : A STUDY ON STUDENTS’ ANXIETY LEVEL

AND SELF-CONFIDENCE TOWARDS

SPEAKING ENGLISH AS A SECOND

LANGUAGE: A CASE OF LAW STUDENTS

SIGNATURE OF STUDENT

DATE 12th AUGUST 2015

ABSTRACT

Speaking skill is one of the most challenging skills among the four English skills which are listening, speaking, reading and writing respectively. Hence, it is important for students to speak in English confidently and they can use speaking strategies in order to avoid anxiousness. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the association between two variables which are level of speaking anxiety and level of self-confidence. The other objectives that this study would like to explore are to identify level of speaking anxiety among Law students, to identify level of confidence when speaking among Law students, to determine if there is any significant difference in level of speaking anxiety and level of confidence when speaking among Law students based on their demographic details (gender, university, ethnicity, MUET result, year of study, first language) respectively. This study employed a purely quantitative study and correlational design was selected as the research design. The instrument used in this study was questionnaire. There were 380 respondents participated in this study which were Law students from four public universities in Malaysia. The result from this study indicated that Law students’ level of speaking anxiety in English was moderate while the level of self-confidence among Law students was above average. The study also showed that there was a significant difference based on the universities that Law students come from and their first language in terms of level of speaking anxiety in English. It is also portrayed that there was a significant difference in terms of Law students’ level of self-confidence based on their MUET result and first language correspondingly. Next, the study revealed that there was a weak significant association between level of speaking anxiety in English and level of self-confidence when speaking in English among Law students. Thus, from the results of the study, it is recommended for the stakeholders which were students, lecturers, the Faculty of Law, the universities and the policy maker to discuss and develop solutions for this issue. Hence, mastering to speak English for ESL learners is important.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I would like to thank Allah S.W.T for giving me this opportunity to continue my study for Masters degree and Alhamdulillah for the ups and downs of the journey that I’ve encountered in the process of completing my dissertation. I would also thank Him for the beautiful and helpful people that I’ve met in this journey. Alhamdulillah.

The first person that I would like to thank is my supervisor, Dr. Mawami Mohamed, for her help in giving feedback regarding my writing and the content of the dissertation. She helps me by giving suggestions on how to improve my writing, language especially and at the same time to improve my dissertation. She always supports and motivates me in order for me to graduate on time. I would also like to thank her for her time in reading my work. Thank you so much, Dr. Mawami.

Next, I would like to thank all my classmates and lecturers for helping and guiding me in completing my dissertation especially, Dr. Marina Mohd Arif and Norazean as well as Nurul Farhani. Your advices, suggestions, supports and motivation help me to work harder and smarter in order for me to graduate on time.

Friendship is the most important thing in helping and motivating me to finish my work successfully. I would like to thank my lovely, helpful and supportive friends who are Nurul Nadiah Dewi, Eugenie, Dianna Suzieanna and Salwa. I would like to thank you girls a zillion for always helping me on how to improve my dissertation and at the same time, you girls never fail to motivate, support and encourage me to not give up in completing my writing. Thank so much for always being there for me. In addition, not to forget to my friends, Ainul Anuar, Farah Nabillah and Emily Yoong for always support and encourage me.

Lastly, I would to thank the very most important people in my life which are my family members. First of all, I would like to thank my beloved parents, Tuan Haji Khairuddin bin Abdul Ghani and Puan Hajjah Zainun binti Mohamed for always motivating, supporting and encouraging me during my ups and downs in the journey of completing my dissertation. I will always remember your advices in not giving up in whatever I do. I would also thank my dear sister, Zurina binti Khairuddin, in helping me to complete my dissertation by giving feedback on my writing and the content of the dissertation and not to forget for always being supportive and always motivating and encouraging me to do my best in order for me to graduate on time. Not to forget to my dear sisters, Zulida binti Khairuddin and Zuriati binti Khairuddin for always being supportive with your words and actions in order for me to complete my dissertation and to complete my study on time. Last but not least, I would like to thank my brother-in-law, Awang-Ku Mohd Nasyar and my two cheeky nephews, Awang-Ku Muhammad Rayyan Azim and Awang-Ku Muhammad Muiz Ilman for your support and encouragement directly or indirectly in

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completing my study. Thank you so much to all my family members: nucleus family and extended family members.