Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS) (Journal of UniSZA - Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin)
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An investigation of the role of gender in resilience and attitude toward technology use among Iranian English teachers: A case of mainstream education
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Technological tools are not effectively and regularly utilized by EFL instructors in their language teaching since not all of them are ready to employ technology despite its opportunities of assisting their pedagogical procedure. Consequently, exploring the instructors’ perceptions of the existing usefulness of technology in their language instruction setting is crucial. The present study set out to explore the associations between teachers’ attitudes toward the use of technology for instructional purposes, their gender, and resilience.
Methodology: Through simple random sampling, the researcher selected 120 male and female Iranian EFL teachers with more than three years of teaching experience from different private language institutes. Two instruments were used to collect the data for a correlational design: The teacher resilience scale of Connor-Davidson (2003) and the attitude scale adopted from Cox et al. (1999). To compare the role of gender in terms of resilience and attitude, an independent samples t-test was carried out.
Findings: The analysis of the data indicated a significant relationship between Iranian male and female EFL teachers’ resilience as well as attitude toward technology use. Further analysis of the study demonstrated females’ resilience scores were significantly higher than males’ resilience scores. On the other hand, male participants had a more significantly positive attitude toward technology use in EFL classes.
Contributions: One of the study’s pedagogical implications was that the stakeholders need to notice resilience toward technology in pre- or in-service EFL teachers, give them supportive scaffolding, and help them enhance their resilience.
Keywords: Correlation, EFL teachers, gender, technology
Self-regulated speaking strategies used by Vietnamese EFL learners
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: The field of language learning strategies has evolved significantly since the introduction of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). Recently, self-regulated learning strategies have gained attention, but self-regulated speaking strategies in EFL contexts remain underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by investigating self-regulated speaking strategies used by Vietnamese students at a university.
Methodology: The study employed a sequential mixed-methods approach, using a 40-item self-reported questionnaire based on the Strategic Self-Regulation (S2R) Model of Oxford (2011) for quantitative data collection with 379 non-English major students and semi-structured interviews for qualitative data collection with 10 students.
Findings: The findings show that overall, the participants are high users of self-regulated strategies to learn English speaking. In particular, three groups, including Meta-affective strategies, Cognitive strategies and Meta-cognitive strategies, are of high use frequency while the other three categories, including Affective strategies, Meta-sociocultural-interactive strategies and Sociocultural-interactive strategies, are of medium use by the students.
Contributions: The study helps confirm the S2R Model of Oxford (2011) and provide a reliable scale on self-regulated learning strategies. The study also confirms the decisive role of the learners in their learning English speaking skills.
Keywords: Self regulated, speaking learning strategies, EFL learners, university, Vietnamese
A comparative move analysis of problem-solution discourse within risk management reports by Malaysian and American banks
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: A risk management report (henceforth, RMR) is a comprehensive document that analyses the risks faced by banks and outlines strategies to mitigate these risks. It follows an organising framework – the Problem-Solution (henceforth, PS) pattern which emphasises identifying problems and their solutions. Such a pattern is typically used in technical texts. This study shows how the said pattern is implemented in the organisational structure of RMRs from Malaysian and American banks.
Methodology: The corpus data comprised two self-developed corpora of RMRs by selected Malaysian (henceforth, CORDMAB) and American banks (henceforth, CORDAB). The analysis was conducted within the framework of move analysis (henceforth, MA) which focuses on identifying the move-step structure and subsequently examining the patterns related to PS.
Findings: The MA revealed five moves in CORDMAB and four moves in CORDAB. Despite having one less move, CORDAB were significantly longer than CORDMAB. Further investigation revealed CORDAB had a more consistent PS pattern. The difference was attributed to the requirements of regulatory bodies in both countries.
Contributions: This study contributes to our understanding of RMRs by shedding light on their structure and content in the context of Malaysian and American banks. This comparative analysis provides valuable insights into how financial institutions in both countries approach risk assessment and mitigation strategies. It also offers potential implications for banking practices and risk management strategies on a broader scale.
Keywords: American banks, Malaysian banks, problem-solution, rhetorical moves, risk management reports
Deciphering the social fabric of /R/ in word-final in Chetti language
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: The evolution of languages over time can be traced through investigating language variation. Despite its significance, this aspect has been largely ignored in studies of minority languages like Chetti. Therefore, this study strives to address this gap by examining phonological variation, focusing on the variability of the sound “r” in word-final position in Chetti language. The research aims to explore how social factors such as age, gender, social class, and speech styles relate to the use of /r/ in word-final, and to identify distinct linguistic variations within the Chetti community.
Methodology: Data was collected through interviews with 37 Chetti speakers and analysed using the Labovian quantitative analysis approach. Non-parametric statistical tests, the Kruskal Wallis Test and the Mann-Whitney U Test, were used to determine significant differences in stylistic and social variations, given non-normally distributed data. Moreover, index score was used to examine the influence of social and stylistic variances on linguistic variables. It quantified the likelihood and extent of using specific linguistic variants by measuring pronunciation shifts between standard and non-standard forms.
Findings: Results show that [r] and [ø] variants are used interchangeably by the speakers. Although age and social class influence the use of /r/ in word-final position, no significant difference is found based on gender.
Contributions: This study sheds light on phonological variation in the Chetti community and emphasises the importance of employing quantitative analysis methods. It underscores the intricate relationship between language, society, and phonological variation, paving the way for further research.
Keywords: Phonological variation, Chetti language, minority language, quantitative sociolinguistics, urban dialectology
Unlocking fintech disclosure: Exploring factors in Malaysia's banking sector
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: This study investigates the impact of fintech disclosure on Malaysian banks from 2018 to 2022. Fintech adoption has transformed the banking industry, necessitating enhanced transparency to meet stakeholder expectations and regulatory demands. Despite the growing significance of fintech disclosure, its determinants remain underexplored, particularly in developing economies like Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to examine how key factors, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), investment strategy, market capitalization, risk management, and foreign ownership, influence fintech disclosure in the Malaysian banking sector.
Methodology: The study employed a quantitative research approach, analyzing secondary data collected from the annual reports of 10 publicly listed Malaysian banks over five years (2018–2022), resulting in 50 firm-year observations. A panel data regression model was used to assess the relationships between the dependent variable (i.e. fintech disclosure) and the five independent variables (i.e. SDGs, investment strategy, market capitalization, risk management, and foreign ownership).
Findings: The findings reveal that SDGs, investment strategy, market capitalization, and risk management are positively correlated with fintech disclosure, whereas foreign ownership demonstrates a negative correlation. These results align with established theories: stakeholder theory explains strategic responses to stakeholder interests, legitimacy theory highlights the role of social norms in shaping risk management and market behavior, and institutional theory demonstrates how external standards influence SDG-related disclosures.
Contributions: This study provides valuable insights into the strategic adaptability of Malaysian banks in aligning disclosure policies with stakeholder expectations, regulatory constraints, and the evolving fintech landscape. By advancing the understanding of how fintech disclosure practices are shaped, this research contributes to the literature on corporate transparency and supports the development of policies promoting sustainable and socially responsible banking practices.
Keywords: Fintech disclosure, Malaysian banks, sustainable development goals, stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory
Factors associated with child marriage among Rohingya refugee girls in Malaysia: A qualitative analysis
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Rohingya refugees have fled Rakhine state, Myanmar for decades due to persecution. While Malaysia has been a preferred destination, the Rohingya are considered illegals and struggle with protection, poverty, and poor access to healthcare and education. Child marriage is prevalent in this environment, impacting Rohingya girls. This study examined factors associated with child marriage among the Rohingya in Malaysia.
Methodology: This qualitative study was guided by both ecological and social exchange theory. The main methods of this study included in-depth interviews (IDIs) with Rohingya women married as girls (n=14), focus group discussions (FGDs) with community stakeholders (n=18), and FGDs with older Rohingya men (n=20). Criterion and snowball sampling were used, and data were analysed for themes with the assistance of Atlas.ti qualitative data analysis software.
Findings: The research showed that various factors associated with culture as well as displacement combined to push Rohingya families toward child marriage for their girls. Cultural factors impacting child marriage included patriarchal values of arranged marriages, girls needing to be protected, and girls and women not working outside the home. Religious factors such as Islamic beliefs also played a role. Factors related to displacement, such as poverty, lack of education, and the fact that there are more Rohingya men than women in Malaysia also contributed to child marriage.
Contributions: This paper provides insight into the factors associated with Rohingya child marriage in Malaysia. This information can assist NGOs and UNHCR in developing programs to prevent child marriage among the Rohingya in Malaysia.
Keywords: Child marriage, Malaysia, refugees, Rohingya, sustainable development goal
Teachers’ support in developing reading skills: A systematic literature review.
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Teachers' support is essential for developing students' reading skills, which are crucial for academic success and lifelong learning. While many studies focus on reading education, there is a need for a systematic review of how teachers enhance students' reading skills. This study synthesizes research on teachers' interventions in reading development.
Methodology: This systematic review follows Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES) guidelines. Research questions were framed using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) framework. Systematic searches across Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, and Science Direct targeted articles from 2019 to 2023. Eligible studies were appraised with the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Thematic analysis, based on Braun and Clarke’s framework, synthesized findings through familiarization, coding, theme identification, and reporting.
Findings: Analysis identified five main themes and 21 sub-themes: (1) Technology-Enhanced Reading Interventions, (2) Instructional Approaches for Reading Development, (3) Inclusive Education and Differentiated Instruction, (4) Home-School Collaboration in Reading Education, and (5) Assessment and Monitoring of Reading Progress. These themes highlight how teachers support reading development across diverse contexts.
Contributions: This review provides critical insights into effective strategies teachers can adopt to improve reading skills, contributing to educational research and policy development.
Keywords: Reading skills, teacher support, reading interventions, literacy development, systematic review
Embracing e-wallet applications among Generation Z in Malaysia: The mediating role of trust
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Smartphone advancements have led to a rise in cashless transactions like electronic wallets or e-wallets. Despite their success in digital payments, their uptake in Malaysia is still in its infancy, with e-wallets being used to a lesser extent than traditional methods. The primary objective of this study is thus to investigate the behavioral intentions of Generation Z in Malaysia to use e-wallets using the extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) via the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM).
Methodology: This quantitative study used an online questionnaire distributed to Generation Z in Malaysia, involving 207 respondents from a convenience sample. The data was analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0 to examine the relationship between the variables, aiming to understand their willingness to use e-wallets.
Findings: The study reveals that perceived usefulness, ease of use, and social influence significantly influence trust in e-wallet usage among Malaysia's Generation Z. In addition, perceived ease of use proves to be a predictor of perceived usefulness. Also, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and social influence are found to have a significant impact on the intention to use e-wallets. Trust mediates the relationship between perceived usefulness, ease of use, and intention to use e-wallets, but not between social influence and intention.
Contributions: This study enhances consumer behavior understanding and the effectiveness of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in analyzing e-wallet adoption. It aids providers and developers in comprehending customer willingness to use e-wallets and underscores the significance of trust in customer service.
Keywords: E-wallet, intention, trust, generation Z, theory of Acceptance Model
Reframing identity: How open distance learning shapes in-service ESL teachers' professionalism
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: This study investigates the impact of Open Distance Learning (ODL) on the professional identity of in-service English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers in Malaysia. While research on teacher identity has grown, particularly within the ESL field, studies often focus on pre-service teachers or traditional learning contexts. This research addresses a gap by exploring how ODL influences the professional identity of experienced ESL teachers.
Methodology: Employing a case study approach, four in-service ESL teachers enrolled in an ODL teacher education programme were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to examine how ODL shaped their perceptions of themselves as teachers.
Findings: Findings reveal that ODL can foster autonomy, empowerment, and technological proficiency, contributing to professional growth. However, the study also highlights the need for ODL programmes to address the evolving identity needs of ESL teachers in a digital age. By understanding how ODL shapes professional identity, ODL educational institutions can optimise teacher development programmes to enhance both teacher skills and self-perception.
Contributions: This research provides valuable insights for ODL providers, policymakers, and teacher teachers to create more effective and inclusive professional development opportunities for in-service ESL teachers in Malaysia.
Keywords: ESL in-service teachers, Open Distance Learning, professional identity, teacher education, Community of Practice
Understanding solah compliance and adherence among hospitalized Muslims: A critical survey on the barriers, challenges, and systemic perspectives
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Prayer (Solah) is a fundamental obligation for Muslims, essential for spiritual and mental well-being. However, hospitalized Muslim patients often neglect this practice due to various barriers, rarely explored from their perspective. This study investigates the barriers, disabilities, and systemic factors affecting solah compliance and adherence in orthopaedic wards, particularly within the Ibadah-Friendly Hospital (IFH) framework.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 203 Muslim patients (aged 20–75 years) admitted to orthopaedic wards of a tertiary hospital. Self-reported questionnaires assessed prayer practices, disabilities, knowledge gaps, and exposure to IFH campaigns. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.
Findings: More than half (52.2%) of patients did not perform any prayers, while 36.1% performed some, citing Subuh and Asr as the most difficult. Barriers included mobility limitations (p=0.009), toileting challenges (p=0.009), knowledge gaps about rukhsah (p=0.031), insufficient assistance (p=0.006), and embarrassment (p=0.035). Lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol use (p=0.001 and p=0.034) further impacted adherence. Exposure to IFH campaigns improved compliance (p=0.019).
Contributions: This study highlights the need for education, tailored assistance, and improved hospital infrastructure. Strengthening IFH initiatives and integrating Muslim chaplainship can enhance solah adherence, fostering holistic care for Muslim patients.
Keywords: Muslim patients, ibadah-friendly hospital, barriers to religious practices, patient disabilities, hospitalization