The social influence ecosystem and foreign language proficiency among students in higher education institutions in Malaysia

Abstract

Foreign language proficiency has become increasingly important in higher education, as graduates are expected to communicate effectively across cultures, adapt to the global labour market, and establish international academic and professional networks. Nevertheless, the level of foreign language proficiency among university students continues to vary despite their participation in formal foreign language courses. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the social influence ecosystem, encompassing family support, peer influence, lecturers, and digital media, and its relationship with foreign language proficiency among students in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia. To achieve this objective, the study employed a quantitative approach using a survey research design. A total of 464 HEI students enrolled in foreign language courses participated as respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 29 through descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. The findings revealed that the level of social influence was high, whereas the level of foreign language proficiency was moderate. Furthermore, the correlation analysis indicated a strong and statistically significant positive relationship between social influence and foreign language proficiency. These findings demonstrate that support from family, peers, lecturers, and digital media plays a crucial role in fostering students' motivation, confidence, and opportunities to use foreign languages. From a theoretical perspective, the study reinforces Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory and Gardner's Socio-Educational Model, both of which emphasise the importance of social interaction and motivation in language acquisition. In terms of practical implications, the study recommends that higher education institutions expand collaborative learning, authentic communication activities, and the integration of digital media to enhance students' foreign language proficiency.