Challenges related to English language proficiency among Bangladeshi students in Malaysian universities

Malaysia has established itself as a leading destination for higher education in Asia, attracting a growing number of Bangladeshi students who seek quality education at an affordable cost. Malaysian universities mostly use English as the medium of instruction, where Bangladeshi students must meet the English language requirements for enrolment. As many students in Malaysia pursue higher education in English medium of instruction, this study aims to identify the challenges Bangladeshi students face with limited English language proficiency (ELP). The study employed a mixed-methods approach, with a survey administered to 213 Bangladeshi students at Malaysian universities and 10 students interviewed individually. Convenience sampling technique was employed from different Malaysian universities. Descriptive analysis of the survey was conducted using SPSS and thematic analysis was conducted for the interview data. The results indicate that students face various challenges in their first and second semesters, such as lectures understanding, managing academic grades, and adjusting to their classmates, teachers, and local people. The results also demonstrate a significant, positive correlation between English language proficiency and students’ performance in Malaysian universities. The study contributes to enhancing awareness among future international students in Malaysian universities regarding language proficiency and academic success in a friendly environment.