UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

BRIDGING THE GAP OF GRADUATES' ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION SKILLS TOWARDS

EMPLOYABILITY

HASLENA @ LENA BINTI ISMAIL

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Education (TESL)

Faculty of Education

June 2013

AUTHOR'S DECLARATION

I declare that the work in this dissertation was carried out in accordance with the

regulations of Universiti Teknologi MARA. It is original and is the results of my own work,

unless otherwise indicated or acknowledged as referenced work. This topic has not been

submitted to any other academic institution or non-academic institution for any degree or

qualification.

In the event that my dissertation be found to violate the conditions mentioned above, I

voluntarily waive the right of conferment of my degree and agree be subjected to the

disciplinary rules and regulations of Universiti Teknologi MARA.

Name of Candidate

Candidate I.D. No.

Programme

Haslena (5) Lena Binti Ismail

2009214014

Master of Education (Teaching English as a Second Language)

Faculty

Thesis Tittle

Signature of Candidate

Date

Education

Bridging The Gap of Graduates' English Language Communication Skills Towards Employability

Bridging the Gap of Graduates' English Language Communication Skills towards Employability

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore and highlight the critical thinking of employers on the

desired quality of English Language communication skills expected of graduates. The study

employs a qualitative research design with interviews with three key industry employers, and

document analysis of a Bachelor of Education in TESL program of a public institution of

higher learning (IHL). Findings from this study show that the industry needs graduates to

master the English Language communication skills' attributes in speaking, writing, reading

and listening. The use of simple, plain and comprehensive English Language, besides basic

general knowledge, courtesies and deportment is much sought after by employers. During

employment, retraining in English Language communication skills should be continued with

high commitment of graduate employees to practice and promote English Language

communication skills at workplace. A standard mechanism in assessing graduates'

communication skills should be embedded in academic curriculum whilst students are still at

IHL. It could be done by a collaboration of IHL and industry. The study also shows that

TESL degree program embeds the communication skills required by employers; however it

can be further improved with the inclusion of business inclined elective courses which could

help to enhance the marketability and employability of TESL graduates beyond the teaching

profession.

in

Merapatkan Jurang Kemahiran Komunikasi Bahasa Inggeris Graduan ke Arab Kebolehgajian

Abstrak

Kajian ini bertujuan meneroka dan mengutarakan pandangan kritis majikan terhadap kualiti

kemahiran komunikasi Bahasa Inggeris sepertimana yang diinginkan oleh majikan terhadap

graduan. Kajian menggunakan rekabentuk penyelidikan kualitatif yang dilakukan menerusi

temuramah bersama tiga orang majikan yang berkepakaran bagi mewakili industri, serta

analisis isi kandungan program Ijazah Sarjanamuda Pendidikan dalam Pengajaran Bahasa

Inggeris sebagai Bahasa Kedua (TESL) yang ditawarkan di sebuah institusi pengajian tinggi

awam (IPTA). Hasil kajian menunjukkan industri memerlukan graduan untuk menguasai

ciri-ciri khusus aspek percakapan, penulisan, pembacaan dan pendengaran dalam kemahiran

komunikasi Bahasa Inggeris. Penggunaan Bahasa Inggeris yang biasa, mudah, dan

menyeluruh, di samping berpengetahuan am, berbudi-bahasa dan bersikap positif adalah ciri-

ciri graduan yang dicari oleh majikan. Semasa dalam pekerjaan, latihan semula kemahiran

komunikasi yang dilalui oleh graduan seharusnya berterusan dilaksanakan di mana graduan

seharusnya memiliki iltizam yang tinggi untuk terus berlatih dan menggalakkan penggunaan

kemahiran Bahasa Inggeris di tempat kerja. Satu mekanisma standard untuk menilai

kemahiran komunikasi graduan sepatutnya dimasukkan di dalam kurikulum akademik

semasa pelajar masih berada di IPT lagi. Ianya boleh dilakukan melalui kolaborasi IPT dan

industri. Kajian ini juga menunjukkan bahawa program ijazah sarjanamuda TESL sudah pun

dimasukkan ciri-ciri khusus kemahiran komunikasi yang diperlukan majikan; walau

bagaimana pun, ianya masih boleh diperbaiki lagi dengan memasukkan kursus-kursus elektif

berkaitan perniagaan yang boleh membantu menambahkan kebolehpasaran dan kebolehgajian

graduan TESL agar mereka dapat melangkaui lebih dari profesion pendidikan semata-mata.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

•52*' *%.

With the completion of my dissertation, I am grateful to Allah the Almighty for giving me the will power, strength and determination to fulfil my dreams of getting a Masters' degree in TESL. I always believe that it's never too late to learn; and we can make the impossible, possible with hard work and determination.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all the individuals who have provided me the strength to complete my dissertation.

A special gratitude to...

Dr. Marina Mohd. Arif for her professionalism, patience and passion in guiding and supervising;

Associate Prof. Dr. Nor Aziah Alias for her tireless support, encouragement and valuable time;

All the lecturers who have taught and shared their knowledge, expertise and life experiences during lectures throughout this Masters' program;

My office superior, Tn. Hj Shamsuddin Bardan, and members of MEF Council, Dr. Michael Chiam, and Encik Zulkifly Abdul Rahman who willingly spent time to express their thoughts, share their knowledge and experience to this research;

My subordinates and colleagues at the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), particularly Puan Azizah Talib, the Senior Economist for sharing her expertise and knowledge;

My classmates in ED720;

My beloved mum, and late dad (my first English Language mentor) for their love;

My soulmate, Badrudin who have sacrificed and being very supportive to let me pursue my interest; and last but not least, our lovely children, Aiman, Anis, Akmal and Amzar - may all of you be inspired with your mum's will power and determination in materialising her dreams.

Thank you

HASLENA ISMAIL (2009214014)

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