Learner Background and their Attitudes towards Studying Literature

Abstract

Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between students’ background and their attitudes towards language learning. However, very few research studies focus on learner background and how it affects their attitudes towards studying literature, especially in the Malaysian context. This study aims to gather information on students ’ background, such as gender, socio-economic status, the location of schools, and find out which variables influence students ’ attitudes towards the Literature in English Component of the English Language Syllabus. Participants were students in arts and science classes from two schools, one located in a rural area and the other in a town. The instruments used were student questionnaires, interviews and their previous examination results. Data analysed suggest that students ’ attitudes correlate with their proficiency level (indicated by previous examination results), which is also linked to the location of their school and their classes.