EXCELLENCE OF MALAY LANGUAGE STUDIES PROGRAMME:STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

Malay Language Studies Program in National University of Malaysia offer core and applied knowledge in Malay linguistics studies. However, the recent developments have post challenge to its relevance and contributions to this field of study. Among the questions that arise, “Does the current study of Malay language is capable of highlighting the excellence of Malay study in terms of knowledge and career prospects for the students?” Thus, a study was carried out to investigate the perceptions and expectations of students on the quality and potential of the study of the Malay language. 155 respondents from the in Malay language Studies Program at the National University of Malaysia participated in this research. The findings show that the respondents indicated a positive perception or confidence in the quality of knowledge offered by this program. This proofs the potential excellence of the Malay Studies Program as a linguistics program that can provide expert knowledge in this field. However in terms of expectations, the findings show that the respondents expectation towards career prospects in line with the Malay linguistics is low amongst the third year students. Thus, efforts at the program and also among the students in addressing these challenges should be enhanced to ensure that the excellence of Malay Language Studies Program is in accordance with the current development and prospect of this field which is vast and borderless.