"Malu" - Shyness and Shyness Behaviour in the English Language Classroom: Who, What, Where, When, How and Why.

Abstract

It is said that success in language learning is influenced by many factors - the teachers themselves, the methodology used, the resources available, and the amount of exposure to the target language. However, I feel that the paramount factor influencing success in language learning (which is often disregarded while all the above are taken into account) is the language learners themselves - their psychological make-up; in short, the selves that they bring into the language classroom. As an English as a Second Language (ESL hereafter) teacher in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM hereafter), I have experienced the frustration of ESL learners of all levels keeping silent in the language classroom. These ESL learners seldom volunteer to answer questions, seldom give their opinions and seldom initiate communication. When called on, these learners hesitate, give very short answers, or do not answer at all. In most cases, these learners shun eye contact, preferring to stare at the floor, ceiling or out the window. It can be concluded that their silence is due to several possible reasons: