Students’ learning preferences of English for academic purposes - A KUiTTHO Affair

Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn (KUiTTHO) aims to produce graduates who are competent in English and other core skills in order to be in parallel with other established institutions. Communication and soft skills play important roles in making a graduate a success in the working world and to meet the demands of globalization especially where English is becoming more important. English for Academic Purposes was introduced as one of the required subjects for KUiTTHO students. Students whose MUET results are below than Band 3 and achieved only 50% or less in the placement test are required to take this course. This subject is aimed to facilitate students to undertake MUET again so they are able to achieve at least a Band 3. The study aims to find the learner’s preference in learning English for Academic Purposes as a new subject. Learning preferences in this case include how they want to learn, which language skills they prefer to learn and types of activities they prefer. This research will adapt the qualitative method using questionnaire and observation in gaining data. It is hoped through this research a comprehensive needs analysis can be developed to enhance the learning and the teaching of English for Academic Purposes later

Relationship Between Inservice Training With Students' Achievements At TVET Insitutions In Malaysia

In-service training in the field of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) acts as a catalyst for students’ achievements. Nevertheless, studies on the matter is still lacking especially in the context of its contributions by the teachers attending the training with students’ achievements. This study, thus, aims to identify the effectiveness of in-service training attended by teachers at TVET institutions in Malaysia. Data gathered was collected using two sets of questionnaire, Set A and Set B. Set A was distributed to 43 teachers from technical schools while Set B was given out to 1225 students of the 43 sample teachers. Data collected was recorded and descriptive statistic analysis was carried out using SPSS version 12. Among the analysis carried out was the t-test to identify for differences in students’ achievements whom the teachers taught either by those who have or have not attended any related in-service training. Findings of the study found significant relationship between in-service training attended by the teachers and teachers’ teaching effectiveness, teachers teaching effectiveness with students’ achievements as well as between in-service training with students’ achievements

Engineering students’ perception towards Malaysian nationhood course

University students are among those who are responsible in setting the goals of national development. Therefore, they should possess good values in which portraying their personal identities, thus reflects the multiracial culture of Malaysia. However, a number of incidents such as the issue of National Anthem (Negaraku), AUKU conflicts, campus political extremes, gangsters’, conflict of identity and so on do ruin their images as the ones who are intellectuals. This condition leads to the question of students’ nationalism, particularly engineering students, where they are more concentrating on their technical courses compared to university requirement courses. This research was a survey designed research. The objectives of the research were (i) to determine the engineering students’ level of appreciation towards Malaysian Nationhood course, (ii) to determine students’ perception towards Malaysian Nationhood course, and (iii) to identify the students’ preferences on university courses. A total of 200 students were randomly selected as the respondents of the research. The frequencies and percentages were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Findings showed that the engineering students’ level of appreciation towards the Malaysian Nationhood course was at moderate level as they perceived the attendance to the course was mandatory. Almost students agreed that they would not enroll in the course if they were given the choice. Overall, it showed that the students attended the class as it was a compulsory course set by the ministry. The findings portrayed the students’ nationalism. Based on these findings, it is suggested that a more comprehensive modules and approaches which fulfill the needs of students should be prepared in order to emphasize the importance of nationalism among the students