The Social Interaction Theory in Malay Language Acquisition among Students of the Integrated Special Education Programme

Abstract

This study examines parents’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the social interaction theory in the acquisition of the Malay language among students of the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) with learning disabilities. PPKI students, particularly those within the autism spectrum, often face difficulties in communication and Malay language speech. This study employs a mixed-method approach involving a questionnaire administered to 30 parents and semi-structured interviews with five selected respondents. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analysed through thematic analysis. The findings indicate that parents demonstrate a very high level of acceptance regarding the effectiveness of social interaction in supporting Malay language acquisition among PPKI students. In addition, the study identifies several challenges faced by parents. Overall, the findings suggest that social interaction plays a significant role in supporting the acquisition of the Malay language among PPKI students.