Abstract:

Learning language through practice can be a very important condition in success in language learning. Practice occurs with others through quality and quantity of contact. Practice does not exist in isolation, and there must be constant interaction in the context in which learners use the language. However, language learning, involving interaction with others, cannot be achieved in isolation but through the reliable boundary of a culturally supportive environment. Therefore, learners in study abroad context find good opportunity to practice the language in daily life. Their engagement with quality and quantity of contact enhanced their self-confidence and motivation towards learning and using English language. This study examined the interrelationships between Arab learners’ quality and quantity of contact, self-confidence, and motivation towards learning English language in context abroad in Malaysia based on a social context model (1980). The participants were 53 Arabic speaking students who were enrolled as postgraduate students in University of Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), University of Putra Malaysia (UPM), and University Malaya (UM) in Malaysia. A questionnaire related to contact in an environment, self-confidence and motivation was given to the students. The structure equation modeling (SEM) method was used to test the proposed model. The results showed that the data fitted the model well and there were cause – effect relationships among variables.