LEARNING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE FOR NEW STUDENT AT IAI AL-AZIS

Abstrak

Language proficiency plays a pivotal role in shaping students' academic success and personal development in higher education. As a global lingua franca, English proficiency is an essential skill for students worldwide, including those at Islamic higher education institutions such as IAI AL-AZIS. Recognizing the importance of English, IAI AL-AZIS integrates English language courses as a core component of its curriculum to enable students to connect with broader academic and professional networks. However, learning English as a second language (ESL) poses unique challenges for students in non-English speaking countries, influenced by cultural differences, limited exposure, and psychological barriers such as fear of making mistakes or low self-esteem. This study aims to investigate the perceptions of freshmen at IAI AL-AZIS toward learning English as a second language, focusing on their attitudes, motivations, and challenges. By analyzing these perceptions, the research seeks to identify key factors affecting their ESL learning experience and to align teaching strategies with students' needs and expectations. The findings will contribute to enhancing the institution’s efforts to create a supportive and effective learning environment, ultimately promoting students' language proficiency and academic excellence.