ISSN: 2226-6348
Open access
This study investigates the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) on the listening comprehension of secondary school students learning English as a Second Language (ESL) in Malaysia. The virtual reality tech in teaching and learning listening skills can overcome these limitations since students has many obstacles on their way to master limited vocabulary, and lack of exposure to the inauthentic language environment. This study involved 30 Form Two students and compared traditional methods of teaching English as a second language (ESL) with virtual reality (VR) methods. Results show the VR group improved on listening comprehension scores, supporting the idea that immersive, interactive VR environments can help ESL learning. The study further investigates student attitudes towards VR in ESL learning, highlighting their positive perceptions and high engagement levels.
Adnan, A. H. M. (2020, September). From interactive teaching to immersive learning: Higher Education 4.0 via 360-degree videos and virtual reality in Malaysia. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 917, No. 1, p. 012023). IOP Publishing. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/917/1/012023/pdf
Annamalai, N., Kabilan, M. K., Ab Rashid, R., Val?nait? Oleškevi?ien?, G., & Vai?i?nien?, V. (2021). English language learning through non-technology games: A case study of international students at a Lithuanian university. Qualitative report. Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Nova Southeastern University, 2021, vol. 26, no. 10. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4986&context=tqr
Aziz, A. A., & Kashinathan, S. (2021). ESL learners’ challenges in speaking English in Malaysian classrooms. Development, 10(2), 983-991. https://ijarped.com/index.php/journal/article/view/2201/2168
Bayuong, P. D., Hashim, H., & Yunus, M. M. (2019). Identifying language learning strategies used by ESL learners in a rural primary school. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 8(3), 151-165.
Chen, B., Wang, Y., & Wang, L. (2021). The Effects of Virtual Reality-Assisted Language Learning: A Meta-Analysis. Sustainability, 14(6), 3147. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063147
Esteves, J. R., Cardoso, J. C., & Gonçalves, B. S. (2023). Design Recommendations for Immersive Virtual Reality Application for English Learning: A Systematic Review. Computers, 12(11), 236. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers12110236
Hashim, H., Ismail, H., & Raman, K. (2024). Exploring the Impact of VR Integration on ESL Leaners' English Verbal Communication Skills: A Case Study in a Malaysian High School. https://awej.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/10.pdf
Hasumi, T., & Chiu, M. S. (2024). Technology-enhanced language learning in English language education: Performance analysis, core publications, and emerging trends. Cogent Education, 11(1), 2346044. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2346044
Hoter, E., & Azulay, H. (2024). Enhancing Language Learning and Intergroup Empathy through Multi-user Interactions and Simulations in a Virtual World. Virtual Worlds, 3(3), 333-353. https://doi.org/10.3390/virtualworlds3030018
Huang, X., Zou, D., Cheng, G., & Xie, H. (2020). A Systematic Review of AR and VR Enhanced Language Learning. Sustainability, 13(9), 4639. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094639
Ironsi, C. S. (2023). Investigating the use of virtual reality to improve speaking skills: Insights from students and teachers. Smart Learning Environments, 10(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00272-8
Jiang, P., Namaziandost, E., Azizi, Z., & Razmi, M. H. (2022). Exploring the effects of online learning on EFL learners’ motivation, anxiety, and attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A focus on Iran. Current Psychology (New Brunswick, N.j.), 42(3), 2310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-04013-x
Jerry, M., & Yunus, M. M. (2021). Blended learning in rural primary ESL classroom: Do or don't. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 20(2), 152-173.
Karuppannan, S., & Mohammed, L. A. (2020). Predictive factors associated with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: A conceptual framework. International Journal of Management and Human Science (IJMHS), 4(4), 19-29.
Lo, N. P. (2023). Digital learning and the ESL online classroom in higher education: Teachers’ perspectives. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 8(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-023-00198-1
Lubis, M. A., Abdullah Awang Lampoh, M. M. Y., Shahar, S. N., Ishak, N. M., & Muhamad, T. A. (2011). The use of ICT in teaching Islamic subjects in Brunei Darussalam. International Journal of education and Information technologies, 1(5), 79-86.
Luo, S., Zou, D., & Kohnke, L. (2023). A systematic review of research on xReality (XR) in the English classroom: Trends, research areas, benefits, and challenges. Computers & Education: X Reality, 4, 100049. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cexr.2023.100049
Marrahi-Gomez, V., & Belda-Medina, J. (2024, May). Assessing the effect of Augmented Reality on English language learning and student motivation in secondary education. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 9, p. 1359692). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1359692
Mozaffari, S., & Hamidi, H. R. (2023). Impacts of augmented reality on foreign language teaching: a case study of Persian language. Multimedia tools and applications, 82(3), 4735-4748. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-022-13370-5
Nordin, N. M., Hamzah, M. I., Yunus, M. M., & Embi, M. A. (2010). The mobile learning environment for the in-service school administrators. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 7, 671-679.
Qazi, A., Qazi, J., Naseer, K., Hasan, N., Hardaker, G., & Bao, D. (2024). M-Learning in education during COVID-19: A systematic review of sentiment, challenges, and opportunities. Heliyon, 10(12), e32638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32638
Pham, M. T., Luu, T. T. U., Mai, T. H. U., Thai, T. T. T., & Ngo, T. C. T. (2022). EFL students’ challenges of online courses at Van Lang University during the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 2(2), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.22221
Rajendran, T., & Yunus, M. M. (2021). A systematic literature review on the use of mobile-assisted language Learning (MALL) for enhancing speaking skills among ESL and EFL learners. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 10(1), 586-609.
Ramalingam, S., Yunus, M. M., & Hashim, H. (2022). Exploring English as a second language educators’ challenges of teaching communication skills in blended learning environments: A Malaysian scenario. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(2), 1388-1405.
Raman, K., Hashim, H., & Ismail, H. H. (2024). Exploring the Impact of VR Integration on ESL Leaners' English Verbal Communication Skills: A Case Study in a Malaysian High School. Arab World English Journal. http://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call10.10
Sharifuddin, N. S., & Hashim, H. (2024). Benefits and Challenges in Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) in ESL Classroom: A Systematic Review (2019-2022). International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(1), 146-164. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1dfe/2838192fc5a24ce98c86d9d86c04da9b70e0.pdf
Shi, J., Sitthiworachart, J., & Ratanaolarn, T. (2023). Tracking the New Trends in Immersive Virtual Reality-Assisted Foreign Language Education: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies. World Journal of English Language, 13(7), 154-154.
Tang, F. (2024). Understanding the role of digital immersive technology in educating the students of english language: does it promote critical thinking and self-directed learning for achieving sustainability in education with the help of teamwork?. BMC psychology, 12(1), 144. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01636-6
Wil, C. S. C., Yunus, M. M., & Suliman, A. (2019). The use of social media to assist writing skills among secondary pupils. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 8(3), 224-236
Wulyani, A. N., Sata, M. R. M., & Rusdin, D. (2023). Overcoming challenges: Indonesian EFL teachers' strategies for using Moodle in high schools. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 10, 101175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101175
Yaccob, N. S., Yunus, M. M., & Hashim, H. (2022). The Integration of Global Competence Into Malaysian English as a Second Language Lessons for Quality Education (Fourth United Nations Sustainable Development Goal). Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 848417. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.848417
Ying, Y. H., Siang, W. E. W., & Mohamad, M. (2021). The challenges of learning English skills and integrating social media and video conferencing tools to help ESL learners cope with the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic: A literature review. Creative Education, 12(7), 1503-1516. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2021.127115
Yu, Z., & Xu, W. (2022). A meta-analysis and systematic review of the effect of virtual reality technology on users' learning outcomes. Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 30(5), 1470-1484. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22532
Yunus, M. M., & Abdullah, N. R. K. R. B. (2011). Motivation and attitudes for learning English among year six students in primary rural school. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 15, 2631-2636.
Zhao, X., Ren, Y., & L. Cheah, K. S. (2023). Leading Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in Education: Bibliometric and Content Analysis From the Web of Science (2018–2022). SAGE Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231190821
Idris, M. M., Yunus, M. M., & Ismail, H. H. (2025). Leveraging Virtual Reality to Address Listening Challenges in ESL Learning: A Malaysian Secondary School Perspective. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 14(1), 2252–2270.
Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode