Research on International Students in Traditional Host Countries and Malaysia: Some Potential Areas in Malaysia

This conceptual paper presents research conducted involving international students in traditional host countries; namely The United Kingdom, The United States and Australia, and in Malaysia. The body of research in traditional host countries has reached its third phase (Dawson & Hacket, 2006) while Malaysia is at an initial stage. Scrutinizing the studies done in both locations; one of the common issues that surfaces is the lack of English Language Skills among the international students. Emulating the studies done in traditional host countries and examining the extant literature in Malaysia; this paper highlights two aspects – the tools and individuals that can ease and promote English language learning as potential areas to be explored.