Effects of the Highly Immersive Programme on ESL Learners’ Interest and Attitudes in Learning English in Belaga, Sarawak

Abstract

Although the issue of learners' attitudes towards learning English as a second language (ESL) has been around for a long time, much remains to be learned about the factors that shape their enthusiasm for learning, particularly those who reside in primary schools in rural areas, where it is well known that learners have negative perceptions of and poor performance in learning the English language. This study investigated the effects of the Highly Immersive Programme (HIP) on ESL learners’ interest and attitudes in learning English. In this study, the researchers selected 123 learners ranging from Year 4 to Year 6 from a rural primary school in Sarawak, Malaysia to answer the closed-ended questionnaires. This study observed the positive effects of HIP on ESL learners' interest in learning English and their attitudes toward it. The findings further suggested that HIP can boost ESL learners' English language use, support their language development, and contribute to enhanced grammar skills. This study hopes its findings will serve as a valuable resource for improving English language education in Malaysia, pedagogically, particularly by benefiting a programme like the HIP, which can address the challenges faced by rural learners who lack opportunities to learn and use English effectively.