EXPANDING THE MICROSYSTEM IN THE ECOLOGY OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT THEORY BASED ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING EXPERIENCES OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA
Abstract
Bronfenbrenner’s (1977; 1986; 1994) Ecology of
Human Development Theory has placed a few groups of people in the microsystem
level (the innermost circle) to have influence on the development of a person. This
paper puts forth a proposition of altering the groups of people in conjunction
with globalization. This is so due to the movement of people to other countries
in the pursuance of knowledge. Through a qualitative paradigm, the data from a
study on the international students’ English language learning experiences show
that for these students, the groups of people who have been helpful in their
quest to learn the English language are their friends, teachers/lecturers,
other international students and even anyone who is able to converse in the
English language. The interviews and online postings of 9 international
students studying in Malaysia reveal that the family members, who have been
rated as playing the biggest role in the development of a person in
Bronfenbrenner’s theory, are considered as ‘unhelpful’ in the students’ journey
to learn the English language. Thus, globalisation is a phenomenon that can
bring in various elements that might cause alteration – expansion to even a
long withstanding theory. This brings only richness to the education world.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
-
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Noor Saazai Mat Saad
Malaysia
Fariza Puteh-behak
Malaysia
Ramiaida Darmi
Malaysia
Haliza Harun
Malaysia
Suriani Mohd Ali
Malaysia
Rosni Samah
Malaysia
Publication Date
August 31, 2017
Submission Date
September 6, 2017
Acceptance Date
June 12, 2017
Published in Issue
Year 1970 Volume: 3 Number: 8