AbstractStudents' writing in a second language encounters both social and cognitive challenges which are
related to second language acquisition. This qualitative case study is meant to identify how LI
(Bahasa Malaysia ) of the Malay students influence their L2 (English) writing. The dependent
variable is the students' number of errors they did in the writing tests and the independent
variable is the students' writing tests. 30 students of Year Five from a rural school were selected
as a cluster sample from an intact class. Observations, questionnaire, interviews, collection of
students' written exercises and three stages of writing ·activities inclusive of pretests and
posttests were used to collect data. The research question 'Does Bahasa Malaysia, as LI of the
Malay students, influenced their L2 (English Language) writing skill?' is answered through the
conduct of the writing tests. The result is, there is influence of LI but with a number of
exercises and expl.....