The Influence of MUET Score and First Language towards English as a Second (ESL) Learners’ Self-Confidence

Abstract

Speaking skill is an important skill among the four English skills and it is also known as expressive skill.  Hence, it is important for students to speak in English confidently and using speaking strategies in order to avoid anxiousness. The two objectives of this study are to identify level of confidence when speaking among Law students and to determine if there is any significant difference in level of confidence when speaking among Law students based on their demographic details (MUET result, first language) respectively. This study employed a purely quantitative study. The instrument used in this study was questionnaire and 380 respondents which consisted of Law students from four local universities in Malaysia) participated in this study The result from this study indicated the level of self-confidence among Law students was above average and it was 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. Thus, from the results of the study, it is recommended for the stakeholders which are lecturers, the Faculty of Law, the universities and the policy maker to develop more authentic materials and environment for the students.