Exploring Learner Reflections and Growth in Grammar Learning: A Thematic Analysis of Student Narratives in a Malaysian Tertiary ESL Classroom

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-563-8_9How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Grammar learning; ESL learners; Learner reflection; Self-regulated learning; Thematic analysis

Abstract

This study investigates how Malaysian tertiary ESL students reflect on their grammar learning experiences after completing a 12-week course. Using a qualitative design, the research draws on written reflections collected through five open-ended questions and analyses the data using thematic analysis. Grounded in Zimmerman’s Self-Regulated Learning Theory, the study examines learner perceptions, challenges, strategies, and personal growth. Findings reveal number of themes that reflect the learners’ perception of their learning progress, challenges and how to overcome them, learning strategies, classroom practices, or teaching materials learners identified as effective or ineffective in their grammar learning journey, and personal and academic insights in learners’ reflections. From that, this study contributes to the understanding of grammar learning in which strategies, challenges and reflections are interconnected as grammar learning is not only about accuracy but also involves the learners’ identity, motivation and self-regulated growth. It also underscores the role of reflection in promoting learner autonomy, motivation, and identity development within the ESL classroom.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Anis Athira Syahirah Saifuddin
AU  - Farah Zahidah Mohd Noor
AU  - Fazillah Sulaiman
AU  - Farah Fatinah Enche Shaari
AU  - Nurhafizah Anis Muhamad Yew
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/04/28
TI  - Exploring Learner Reflections and Growth in Grammar Learning: A Thematic Analysis of Student Narratives in a Malaysian Tertiary ESL Classroom
BT  - Proceedings of the 4th International Conference of Research on Language 2025 (IROLE 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 90
EP  - 114
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-563-8_9
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-563-8_9
ID  - Saifuddin2026
ER  -