Download This PaperEnglish Language Learning, Environment, and the Formation of Islamic Self-identity among Students in Selected Religious Secondary Schools
International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, Volume 11, Issue 7, 2020
17 Pages Posted: 6 May 2020
Date Written: April 11, 2020
Abstract
The relationship between Islamic values and foreign languages in the school environment offers a relatively good example of the challenging aspects of Islamic identity formation amongst the students. Therefore, this study aims to explore the influence of English language learning and environment in the process of Islamic self-identity formation. Focus group interviews were conducted with 90 students and 15 teachers from selected religious secondary schools in Malaysia. The study found that environment is influential in the process of Islamic self-identity formation among the students, and English language learning does not have a negative influence on the process. Instead, certain virtues such as respect, self-confidence, cooperation, teamwork, diligence, and decency are inculcated in the students’ self-identity during the English language learning process. Teachers and educational administrators should put more effort toward the best educational provisions for the students’ religious identities through exposure to the values of self-identity beyond the scope of textbooks.
Keywords: Islamic identity, language learning, Malaysia, religious schools, self-identity theory
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