Case Study English has become the most important language and means of instruction and communication across the globe. The language allows the students to choose different career options and have better opportunities for career growth. The students are expected to learn the English language effectively as the subjects such as science, business, mathematics and social studies are taught in English. English as a secondary language in Malaysia has led to students having major problems in understanding the use of language and also has made writing as a difficult task for the students in the secondary school classrooms (Hiew, 2012).
English is considered as an important language in Malaysia but the lack of effective environment has led to difficulties in understanding word meanings and implications (Mariadass & Kashef, 2012). As English is a second language, there are various factors which influence the learning process of the students’ learning in the school. The factors can include motivation, attitude, learning methods, perceptions, curriculum and lesson plan, teaching methods and approaches (Hiew, 2012). The attitude and motivation of the students are found to be the two main factors, which influence the success of the students in learning English as the second language.
At the primary level the local language of Malay is used as teaching medium and in the secondary level Malay language is used as primary medium for teaching all subjects except English, Science and Mathematics, which makes learning English language effectively very important for the students at the secondary level (Choy & Troudi, 2006). It enables the students to gain good command over the English language and prepare for tertiary education. It has become very essential for the students in secondary schools to learn English effectively so that they can perform well in mathematics and science and also gain the ability to perform well in the tertiary level education. As English is introduced only at the secondary level, the students face difficulties in acquiring the language due to various factors. There is a need to understand the attitude and motivation of the student towards learning English as the second language to improve the student’s abilities to learn the language. Besides, there is a need for understanding the learner’s views and experiences in learning the second language to identify the difficulties and barriers encountered in the classrooms and in their external environment.  This research aims to analyze the various factors including the attitude and motivation of the students towards learning English as the Second language. There is also a need to study the attitude and motivation of Penang’s secondary school students in order to bring effective changes in the teaching approaches, attitudes of the students and enhance the motivational level of the students to learn the language effectively. The need for understanding the various aspects which influence the students learning process is essential to overcome the barriers and provide the students an effective environment, required resources and develop the necessary attitudes and motivation among the students in the secondary school in Penang.