A review of literature on communication skills development (CSD) in the engineering curriculum

Engineering education has expanded recently to include emphasis on the development of some very specific non-technical attributes that match a strong technical base to produce well-rounded engineering graduates who are flexible and adaptable to suit the constantly developing and changing requirements of the workplace. These non technical skills include communication skills, the ability to function in teams, knowledge of societal and contemporary issues, development of global perspective, and ethics awareness. A great importance of these abilities to engineering education has emerged over the last decade even within the international and local scene. Within the Malaysian context, the Engineering Accreditation Council’s (EAC) Engineering Program Accreditation Manual(BEM, 2007) , outlines ten learning outcomes that encompasses both the technical and non technical skills which are considered essential for graduating engineers. Similarly, the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) Criterion 3 (ABET, 2000), outlines eleven criterion which targeted many of these as essential program outcomes in order for engineering programs to be accredited and which are seen as critical for the success in the twenty first century. Communication skills development(CSD) is one of the outcomes required by an undergraduate engineering program in the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) for Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) in Malaysia as well as in the ABET Engineering Criteria 2000 (ABET, 2000). CSD is essential for an engineer who aspires to carry out his/her professional practice in the global arena and especially in the English language. With an increasingly global economy, the Malaysian education system must produce graduates who can communicate effectively in English. Otherwise, it would lose one of its vital selling points for foreign investors to ensure that skilled labor force are sufficient to support internationally competitive commerce and industry and to provide individuals with opportunities to optimize their potentials (Muhammad Rashid bin Rajuddin, 2006; Riemer, 2002)

Assessing oral communication skills in the final year engineering design project

The ability to communicate effectively and to equip engineering students with the necessary professional skills for the workplace is one of the key outcomes required by undergraduate engineering programs in fulfilling the engineering accreditation standards set by the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC). One method to facilitate communication skill development includes an emphasis on integrating communication into the engineering design course and implementing assessment practices to evaluate students’ achievement in the communication skills outcomes. The final year project II (FYP II) design course represents an ideal context for performance assessment of students’ communication skills. A mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative data were obtained from the observation of students’ FYP II seminar presentation using rubric to gain inter-rater scores, questionnaire administered to the students and FYPII supervisors; as well as the analysis of the Course Assessment Summary Report (CASR) to determine students’ communication skills achievements with regard to the inter-rater scores and the achieved University’s Key Performance Index (KPI). Meanwhile, the qualitative data from interviews were used to gain in-depth information from students and FYP II supervisors. Results from observation of students’ FYP II seminar presentation showed different levels of competencies among the students. The inter-rater scores were compared to the results in CASR to identify any relationship between the scores and the KPI scores for the breakdown of the program outcome on the ability to communicate effectively. The inconsistency in the inter-rater scores to that of the achieved KPI suggested that the use of explicit direct assessment instrument such as the rubrics could provide further insights in the assessment of students’ acquired behavioral oral skills in the FYPII design course. The finding also revealed the emphasis by faculty on communication skills in the engineering design course was prominent in the coursework, lessons carried out and consultations with students. Results related to students’ and faculty’s perception on the English language oral communication skill attributes revealed that students were confident and perceived themselves highly in all attributes even though the faculty supervisors’ perception was only at a moderate or adequate level. In summary, all the research questions have been answered and recommendations for course improvement on the future of the oral presentation assessment tool, processes and communication skills instructions in the FYP II design course were presented

Foreign Workers And Migration In Malaysia: Legal Issues

Labour migration is a phenomenon that has been accepted by the local community and international levels. Movement of labour force from region to region and from country to country. International migration occurs when there is a movement by foreign workers that go across the borders of each country to another country. Many factors contribute to the phenomenon of migration between countries. The main attraction is a push factor. Economic situation of the country of origin and the lack of employment opportunities that has encouraged foreign workers to move out to other countries to get greater job opportunities. The rapid development of the country has led to the total labour force in great numbers. Indonesians, Bangladeshis, Philippines and workers from Southeast Asia and other southern countries migrate to Malaysia and worked in various economic sectors such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, services and domestic. Positive results were of course the influx of foreign labour that has helped accelerate the pace of the national economy, especially in the industrial sector. Malaysia could not cope with the demand of labour needs. However, there were significant negative implications, especially in terms of social and labour repression. Given the large number of foreign workers, the crime rate was also found to have increased and often cause anxiety among local people. However, the government tried from time to time to reduce the number of foreign workers. This paper will discuss the issue on foreign workers' rights and migration in Malaysia and how the employer comply to them; the government efforts to manage the receiving and the returning of migrant labour via extensive policies, regulations and domestic laws and finally to investigate the latest planning by government in 11th Malaysia Plan in the effort to pursue the 2020 vision and to become a develop country in the near future

Learners' motivation and the language learning strategies (LLS) used by Iraqi EFL preparatory learners in the English context

This study investigates the language learning strategies (LLS) used by Iraqi EFL learners in preparatory schools. The growing interest in learning strategies has increased the need for learning English as a foreign language in terms of two essential variables: strategy use and motivation. Oxford SILL (1990) was used to analyse effective learning strategies employed in learning activities. The results of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) show that memory learning strategies have the highest mean score (M= 4.06, SD=.394 ). In contrast, affective learning strategies have the lowest mean score (M= 2.48, SD=.837). Furthermore, the results suggest that the MSLQ's motivational subscales are substantially linked with various strategies of SILL. Pearson's Chi-Square value for MSLQ and SILL indicates a significant positive correlation of r (.820) =.003, which is less than the 0.05 level of significance. As a result, the Pearson Correlation Coefficients show that learners' motivation affects their learning strategies for success. The substantial relationship between motivation and LLS in classroom activities was linked to EFL learners' achievement in learning English as a foreign language. The study suggests that EFL learners should use numerous learning strategies to build their learning skills successfully. Besides, a teacher must employ numerous motivational techniques to facilitate English learning process and improve learners' English language skills effectively

Automation of function assignment in the models of speech production and second language acquisition

This article explores the concept of function assignment in first language (L1) and second language (L2) speech production, compares automation of function assignment in L1 and L2 speech production, pursues factors hampering automation of function assignment in L2 speech production, and discusses how to improve automation of function assignment in L2 speech production. Grammatical encoding, of which function assignment is one of the subordinate processes, is also one of the processes in L2 speech production. While function assignment in L1 speech production is mostly automatic, it demands much attentional resources and is executed under conscious supervision in L2 speech production. L2 learners' incomplete knowledge of the target language and their limited working memory resources hamper automation of function assignment in L2 speech production. Furthermore, as per generative models of learning, to improve automation of function assignment, teachers can either adopt strategies or improve instructional designs targeting this subprocess. Together, this conceptual paper gives a comprehensive overview of automation of function assignment, explores its impact on second language acquisition (SLA), and reveals that it is feasible to facilitate automation of function assignment in L2 speech production by improving instructional designs, especially the presentation methods of sentence elements

Lexical features of Malaysian English in continuous essay writing among secondary school students

Malaysian English is a variety used in Malaysia among the locals. Although it varies from Standard English, it is fully established and intelligible for use to a certain extent. The Lexical Features of Malaysian English depicts the essence and flavors of the locals in terms of the culinary, customs and traditions of the locals. Thus, this paper intends to highlight the concept of Lexical Features of Malaysian English based on Semantic Approach and Morphemic approach in Continuous Essay Writing. This study aims to analyze essay scripts from 30 Intermediate secondary four school students and interview three English language school teachers. In line to that, this study adapts Exploratory Sequential Method which will comprise both Qualitative and Quantitative data. The findings of this study are expected to show the common lexical features of Malaysian English used in Continuous Essay Writing and the factors affecting the usage of lexical features of Malaysian English in formal educational writing

Data on first record of brown morph banded langur (presbytis femoralis), leucistic dusky leaf monkey ( trachypithecus obscurus ) in Malaysia and review of morph diversity in langur (colobinae)

Morphism refer to polymorphic species, in which multiple colour variants coexist within a population. Morphism in pri- mates is common and langurs also exhibit certain character- istics of morphism, such as conspicuous natal coats. Banded langurs ( Presbytis femoralis ) and dusky leaf monkey ( Trachyp- ithecus obscurus ) exhibits the same characteristics of conspic- uous natal coats, but these coats are only limited to infants and changed when they reached adulthood. This article re- ports the first discovery of rare brown morph of two adult male banded langurs and one leucistic adult female dusky leaf monkey in Malaysia. We also conducted a systematic literature search to review the diversity of morphism in leaf monkey globally

A study on halal cosmetic awareness among Malaysian cosmetics manufactures

Halal certification and acceptance of Halal products had been widespread in the hospitality, food, packaging, banking and finance industries. In the food sector, Halal consciousness is especially high among consumers as well as the governments. However, the demand for Halal cosmetics and beauty products is not as strong. With increasing consumer awareness and a willingness to pay for quality products, the scenario is changing, thereby transforming the cosmetics and personal care industry into a potential sunrise segment for the region. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct an exploratory investigation on the awareness of halal certification process among cosmetics manufacturers. A sample random t-test and descriptive analysis was used upon among cosmetics entrepreneurs in Malaysia. The data was selected based on simple random sampling from MIHAS Book directory which has listed the companies involved in the 13th edition Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Kuala Lumpur. Findings from this study indicated that Malaysia cosmetic manufacturers are well aware of the halal certification process and competent in obtaining halal certification. Future research should look into studying manufacturers which have yet to obtain halal certification in order to full comprehend this issue in dept

Supplier perceptions of dependencies in supplier–manufacturer relationship

The purpose of this research is to explore the relationship between supplier’s dependency and the relationship orientation of supplier-manufacturer relationship. The main tools of data collection instrument used was a questionnaire which was administrated to a total sample of 210 managers is classified by job title and respondents are also classified by their job functions are corporate executives, purchasing, manufacturing or production, material, and operation from Malaysia electrical and electronic manufacturing industry.The response rate was 26% while 96% were usable questionnaires. Sample selection was based on random sampling.The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and correlation between independent and dependent variables. The analyses involved statistical methods such as reliability and validity tests and multiple regressions. The findings show that the supplier perceives dependency has a significant relationship with relationship orientation statically

Persepsi pelajar berisiko terhadap iklim pembelajaran

Learning is a process which occurs in a social context. The streaming of students into academically weak classrooms creates a negative learning context or climate for teaching and learning. Therefore, the risk of failure increases among these students in their learning process. As such, it is important to understand the learning climate in these classrooms in order to overcome the problems of at-risk students. This paper attempts to highlight the findings of a study pertaining to perceptions of students toward their classroom learning climate, involving 1,689 form two students from 28 schools in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Data were gathered by utilizing the questionnaire and analyzed descriptively. The findings reveal that in general, students in the various streams perceive their classroom learning climate as moderate. However there is a significant difference in perceptions of students from the three streams studied, with regards to their teachers in terms of their treatment of students, their teaching approaches and their expectations of their students. High achievers have more positive perception towards their teachers, as compared to the low and extremely low achievers. Implications of the findings and some suggestions are also discussed