Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Education and Social Sciences (ICESS 2025)

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“I Learned Something, But It Felt Uncomfortable”: International Students Negotiating Sensitive Content in English Language Curricula

Authors
Noryani Neni Ahmad Jamain1, *, Mimi Nahariah Azwani Mohamed1, Salawati Ahmad1, Shakina Shahlee1, Sazuliana Sanif1
1Centre for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat, Malaysia
*Corresponding author. Email: noryani@uthm.edu.my
Corresponding Author
Noryani Neni Ahmad Jamain
Available Online 21 May 2026.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-579-9_5How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Sensitive Content; Intercultural Communication; Emotional Regulation; Muslim Learners; Higher Education; English Curriculum
Abstract

This study explores how international Muslim students in Malaysia navigate emotionally and culturally sensitive topics in English communication classes. Drawing from semi-structured interviews with eight participants from the Middle East and Africa, the study investigates how learners perceive, manage, and adapt to discussions that may challenge their faith, identity, or cultural norms. Thematic analysis revealed four key patterns: (1) what students found sensitive, (2) emotional regulation and behavioural strategies, (3) cognitive and linguistic adaptation, and (4) teacher mediation. Findings suggest that sensitivity does not imply resistance, but instead signals a need for empathy, cultural awareness, and practical pedagogical approaches. The study concludes that with clear guidelines, topic flexibility, and psychological safety, students engage critically and confidently while maintaining their beliefs. The findings therefore suggest important implications for culturally responsive curriculum design, particularly in promoting for students voice, respectful engagement, and ethical participation.

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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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Education and Social Sciences (ICESS 2025)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
21 May 2026
ISBN
978-2-38476-579-9
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-579-9_5How to use a DOI?
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.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Noryani Neni Ahmad Jamain
AU  - Mimi Nahariah Azwani Mohamed
AU  - Salawati Ahmad
AU  - Shakina Shahlee
AU  - Sazuliana Sanif
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/21
TI  - “I Learned Something, But It Felt Uncomfortable”: International Students Negotiating Sensitive Content in English Language Curricula
BT  - Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Education and Social Sciences (ICESS 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 48
EP  - 56
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-579-9_5
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-579-9_5
ID  - Jamain2026
ER  -