Using weblog in learning english and encouraging adaptation among international students in Perlis

Abstract

This study looks at the correlation of the English learning which is by using weblog and the adaptation for international students at Universiti Malaysia Perlis. The study was conducted on the first batch of International students. There were 37 students from three countries with the majority from China followed by Indonesia and Sudan. The students were in the Intensive English Course for nine months which was a pre-requisite before entering into the first year of Bachelor Degree program. The adaptation level is determined using the Sociocultural Adaptation Scale (SCAS) by Searle and Ward (1990). The English proficiency level is determined by using DYNED software. This courseware is designed to help learners acquire the target language in a natural but accelerated mode of learning. The result of the study shows that the students have improved their language competencies after attending the course. Although the language improvements differ individually based on their postings in the blog most of the students show better flow of writing and seemed to be at ease as compared to earlier stages of the course.