Attitudes Towards Japanese Language Among Malaysian Students

The objective of this study is to investigate the issues of Malaysian students especially Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s students’ attitudes towards learning Japanese as a foreign language. Data was collected using a set of questionnaire. This study measured seven types of attitudes and explains their relations based on the socio-educational model presented by Gardner (2001). The research method utilized for this study is quantitative approach. Data was collected through questionnaires. The findings show positive attitudes towards Japanese language because of the closer social distance as well as the positive ethno cultural stereotypes. Positive attitudes towards international society and good perceptions towards Japanese community made integrative orientation more positive than instrumental orientation. Both integrative and instrumental orientations are closely connected with attitudes towards learning Japanese. When comparisons are made, significant differences are found based on gender and race, but not with regard to which faculties the students are from. Female students show more positive integrative orientation because they are willing to communicate in Japanese and they also have deep interest in Japanese traditional culture. Where race is concerned, Chinese students have more positive attitudes towards the characteristics of Japanese language due to the similarities of the Japanese language with their mother tongue. Malay students show more positive attitude in both integrative and instrumental orientations because they tend to explore the new world and believe the benefit of Japanese language proficiency. As a conclusion, Malaysian students, especially the students taking Japanese courses in UKM show positive attitudes towards Japanese language and have the motivation to learn Japanese.