SHAKESPEARE IN MALAYSIAN CLASSROOMS: A MYTH OR REALITY?

This paper exposes the status of Shakespeare’s works in the Malaysian secondary school syllabus. Two groups of TESL students in University Malaysia Sabah were surveyed through lessons on Shakespeare, a questionnaire, and interviews in determining their perception of Shakespeare’s works to be taught in secondary schools. This research indicates that students welcomed the idea of exposing Shakespeare’s works in Malaysian classrooms as these works contain societal values which are still relevant in the present context. It also suggests that the teaching of Shakespeare should be done using the latest creative and innovative methods in order to make it easier and appealing to students.