TREND, POTENTIAL AND CHALLENGES OF LOCAL LANGUAGES LEARNING DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

In Malaysia, and other countries around the globe, it appears that one who speaks a native language enters the sector of employment with abilities and talents. The reason is that they are able to communicate not only with the foreigner when they also speak international as well as the key national language, but also handsomely be able to explain as well as understand what the locals need through communication. Accordingly, in Malaysia and specifically in Sabah, children are encouraged to learn their native language either via a formal or informal learning process. This includes the use of the audio-lingual model, communicative approach, direct instruction, grammar-translation model, and total physical response. Nevertheless, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the change in the trend, potential, and challenges of native or local language learning. This paper presents a discussion on the trend, potential, and challenges of local language learning during the COVID-19 pandemic through the use of a qualitative approach, an approach in which required an examination of information gathered from various sources such as books, journals, and media reports. It is hoped that the paper helps readers to understand exactly is the new trend, potential, and challenges of local language learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.