Collaboration of Two Young Scholars Reveals Student Attitudes Toward English in Islamic Higher Education

HUMANIORA – (September 3, 2024) A collaborative study conducted by Habiba Al Umami, a lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities at Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia, and Irham Irham from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam, has been published in LLT Journal Vol 27, No 2 (2024), a Scopus-indexed journal. This research uncovers students' perspectives on English within the context of Islamic higher education in Indonesia, an issue that continues to be of academic interest.

The study explores the attitudes and perceptions of students toward English, which, as an international language, presents various benefits along with complex challenges. The main focus is on how English Literature students in Indonesia, who have studied the basic principles of (Critical) Applied Linguistics, respond to the promises offered by English proficiency, particularly within the Islamic higher education environment.

Involving 58 students—19 males and 39 females—the research data were collected through questionnaires that included both closed and open-ended questions, as well as semi-structured interviews with four students. The results reveal that students hold a moderately positive view of English variations from non-inner circle countries. They do not perceive these variations as inferior, indicating that communicative acceptance is more important than linguistic accuracy.

Interestingly, students also view speaking English with a local accent as acceptable. While some uncertainties remain, they believe that competence in English still offers the hope of a better future.

This study makes a significant contribution to understanding how English is perceived by students within the context of Islamic higher education in Indonesia. The findings are expected to provide a foundation for the development of more inclusive and responsive educational curricula and policies that align with the needs and perspectives of students. The full research findings can be read at https://e-journal.usd.ac.id/index.php/LLT/article/view/8917. [al]