The Key factors influencing learning in the language classroom from tourism students' perspective: A Qualitative study of higher education institutions in Malaysia

This study was conducted at a higher educational institution in Malaysia. The purpose was to observe the factors that influence the learning behaviour of tourism students in two different classrooms. The same language was taught in modern and traditional classrooms. The research design was qualitative in nature; semi structured interviews and class observations were conducted. The data revealed that the comparison of two different classrooms gave different results. The findings indicated that in the modern classroom, tourism students were happy and enjoyed learning a language owing to factors such as round tables seating arrangement, multimedia facilities, less proximity with the instructor, creativity and amicable class environment. These factors resulted in improved motivation and engagement in class activities, heightened confidence, less shyness, courage to ask questions, peer correction, attentive behaviour and more focused approach to accomplishing the tasks. However, the traditional classroom with linear seating arrangement created problems for the students who used to sit at the back rows and were unable to view clearly. Moreover, high proximity created distance between the instructor and tourism students and they were found shy to ask questions and free movement was restricted.