Language Proficiency of Bachelor of Teaching English as a Second Language Students in a Malaysian Public Education University: A Case Study Exploring their Concerns and Challenges

The current research undertaken investigated the language proficiency of Bachelor of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) students at a public education university in Malaysia.We used a mixed-methods research strategy by combining data collected from completed questionnaires and interview sessions.A total of 126 student volunteers took part in the questionnaire survey, while 10 were selected for the interviews.The findings revealed that students generally struggled with academic English, mainly writing and speaking.Several factors influencing their language proficiency, including their mother tongue and limited exposure to educational practices, to name a few, were identified.We concluded by recommending a multi-pronged strategy for addressing language proficiency.