Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
This article evaluates a sustained monologue speaking production test to validate its link to the... more This article evaluates a sustained monologue speaking production test to validate its link to the CEFR model. The monologue test is a low-stakes production test that engages the test taker in sustained monologue tasks targeted at B2-C1 of the CEFR levels. The evaluation of the test included determining the extent to which the monologue speaking tasks and the single assessment criterion-related rating scale developed for the test are valid and reliably aligned to CEFR benchmarked descriptors. The socio-cognitive framework for test evaluation was adopted, and an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design was implemented. The evaluation revealed some contentious points of contrast between the test items and the language demand that each item prompted in production. Consequently, selected items were improved or deleted to ensure the appropriate competency levelled at B2-C1 are correctly prompted. Additionally, the findings underlined the imperative need for test developers to ...
The study on the Academic Achievements and Employability of Graduates in Institutions of Higher L... more The study on the Academic Achievements and Employability of Graduates in Institutions of Higher Learning (Morshidi et. al. 2004) reveals that English language skills have significant impact on employability. It has been identified that failure to be hired among the Malay graduates ...
... Jamaluddin Aziz School of Media and Communication Studies Faculty of Social Sciences and Huma... more ... Jamaluddin Aziz School of Media and Communication Studies Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia(UKM) Fuzirah Hashim School of Language Studies and Linguistics Faculty of Social Sciences Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) ...
Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
One of the main concerns that have been raised in the realm of the graduate employability workfor... more One of the main concerns that have been raised in the realm of the graduate employability workforce in Malaysia is for graduates to be competent in speaking English. The concern on the graduates’ standard in speaking English has been amplified to meet a global standard. It has triggered the Malaysian Ministry of Education to adopt the CEFR benchmark. This paper presents the framework of a CEFR-informed curriculum for Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) English Language (EL) courses at UKM and its basis. The paper outlines the method used in framing the curriculum structure based on the ADDIE model. It particularises the curriculum structure into four (4) main implementation phases that address the different proficiency levels in the targeted CEFR levels.
English has been regarded as one of the core subjects in the Malaysian Certificate of Education o... more English has been regarded as one of the core subjects in the Malaysian Certificate of Education or known as the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). There has been a concern over the writing components in English language papers at the SPM level. Writing requires students’ competence in syntax, coherence, developing and arranging ideas, mechanics in writing and appropriate use of vocabulary. A concern over students who produce very limited number of words in their essays has resulted in the lack of content to be assessed which then led to low scores. This paper presents an error analysis focusing on the types of errors found in students’ written test scripts to identify the weaknesses of students' writing abilities. The study adopts a qualitative approach where the students’ written assessment texts were collected. A total of 18 upper secondary Year Four students (aged 16 years old) were selected as the research participants. The selection of participants was carried out in a second...
Environmental Risk Analysis for Asian-Oriented, Risk-Based Watershed Management
Information is the first step to solutions towards awareness of the need for improved water manag... more Information is the first step to solutions towards awareness of the need for improved water management. Recognizing the right information to be communicated well to the community and the general public is invaluable in order to change behaviour and attitude for better and sustainable water quality and supply. The type of information and how this information is disseminated to the community need to be given considerable attention. This chapter focuses on water information access (WIA) and the framework in developing its ‘communication pack’ to be taken into consideration when communicating water issues to the public. It presents the framework or methodological research design that was adopted in designing the framework of the ‘water information access’ (WIA). The project identifies the prioritized information and the relevant communication methods that are needed to raise water information awareness among the community. These findings were incorporated in the WIA carnival in its aims to educate and promote water information awareness to the community.
Teachers often adopt a particular teaching and learning approach in their classes to ensure that ... more Teachers often adopt a particular teaching and learning approach in their classes to ensure that effective learning takes place. It is assumed that teaching working adults would require the teachers to indirectly adopt an approach that suits the learners. Knowles (1978) theorized that adult learners have distinct and unique characteristics and therefore require continual opportunities to identify their needs and recognize the relevance of their learning (Knowles,1978, Zemke & Zemke, 1981). They need self directed learning opportunities in which they can actively participate. A learner-centred approach is commonly practiced in ESP classes in order to cater to learners' needs and expectations. This paper attempts to make recommendations on the feasible use of IT approach in its material use to enhance the quality of teacher expertise based on an investigation on the course effectiveness of Public Speaking to BBA executives. The data gathered is based on an investigation on the eff...
This article reports on teachers’ and students’ reactions to “Circuit Learning” (CL), an innovati... more This article reports on teachers’ and students’ reactions to “Circuit Learning” (CL), an innovative teaching approach implemented at a public tertiary institution in Malaysia. It highlights specifically observations made of the students’ reactions towards this new learning approach and the teachers’ perceptions towards its effectiveness in improving the English language learning experiences among low proficiency students in a Foundation English course. The analyses of findings suggest that majority of the students showed positive reactions towards CL, although some reservations were detected at the initial stage. Teachers’ reactions towards its effectiveness were generally mixed. Nonetheless both teachers and students identified many aspects of CL that were noteworthy, especially in the promotion of motivation and confidence among these students, hence indicating its feasibility and potential as a teaching innovation for ESL teaching and learning. This article begins by explicating the design and underpinnings of CL and this is followed by analyses of the responses from participating students as well as teachers through students’ questionnaires and students and teachers’ reflections. The paper concludes with implications and recommendations that promotes better the implementation of the CL approach. Keywords: English language proficiency, ESL teaching methodology, small group learning, Mentoring-coaching approach
Information is the first step to solutions towards awareness of the need for improved water manag... more Information is the first step to solutions towards awareness of the need for improved water management. Recognizing the right information to be communicated well to the community and the general public is invaluable in order to change behaviour and attitude for better and sustainable water quality and supply. The type of information and how this information is disseminated to the community need to be given considerable attention. This chapter focuses on water information access (WIA) and the framework in developing its ‘communication pack’ to be taken into consideration when communicating water issues to the public. It presents the framework or methodological research design that was adopted in designing the framework of the ‘water information access’ (WIA). The project identifies the prioritized information and the relevant communication methods that are needed to raise water information awareness among the community. These findings were incorporated in the WIA carnival in its aims...
Linguistic sexism and gender stereotyping are barriers to gender equality. If they are inculcated... more Linguistic sexism and gender stereotyping are barriers to gender equality. If they are inculcated at an early age, they could be institutionalized and become part of the social code. Hence the school environment, where children receive their earliest education about society, norms, culture and the world around them, should be free of such biasness. One medium where linguistic sexism and gender stereotyping can exist is school textbooks. Children exposed to textbooks that contain gender ideology may internalize it. This paper, therefore, aims to study the linguistic sexism in Qatari primary mathematics textbooks. A quantitative qualitative approach is adopted. Wordsmith Tools 5.0 is used for the quantitative analysis and Fairclough’s (1989) Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is used for the qualitative analysis. The findings reveal that males are more visible than females in imported texts. However, in the Qatari published textbooks, females are more visible and dominant than males. T...
The challenge of teaching English to Malaysian tertiary students has become more daunting conside... more The challenge of teaching English to Malaysian tertiary students has become more daunting considering the latest developments in technology. Teachers therefore face the challenges of having to deal with a majority of learners who not only have little confidence or competence in using English language but also lack analytical, critical and creative skills. Hence, teachers can overcome this problem by carrying out language activities that concentrate on the development of multiple literacy skills among learners. This article will demonstrate specifically the ways in which the incorporation of multimodal materials will not only enhance students' English language competency but also their analytical and creative thinking skills. More importantly, this study focuses primarily on techniques and tools to enhance the students' English as a Second Language (ESL) learning achievement and learning satisfaction in the classroom setting. More specifically, the study utilizes the use of various multimodal texts as the teaching and learning approaches that include both auditory and visual modes encompassing video recording, YouTube videos, songs and Adobe voice. Additionally, within the multimodality framework, the students carried out a project in teams and explored authentic multimodal texts. Several interesting trends emerged based on the interpretation of the results. First, students were found to be more proactive and take ownership of their own learning processes. Second, learners were able to use the language in a more critical and creative manner due to the nature of the texts. Third, students were able to develop language learning skills both individually and in teams.
Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
This article evaluates a sustained monologue speaking production test to validate its link to the... more This article evaluates a sustained monologue speaking production test to validate its link to the CEFR model. The monologue test is a low-stakes production test that engages the test taker in sustained monologue tasks targeted at B2-C1 of the CEFR levels. The evaluation of the test included determining the extent to which the monologue speaking tasks and the single assessment criterion-related rating scale developed for the test are valid and reliably aligned to CEFR benchmarked descriptors. The socio-cognitive framework for test evaluation was adopted, and an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design was implemented. The evaluation revealed some contentious points of contrast between the test items and the language demand that each item prompted in production. Consequently, selected items were improved or deleted to ensure the appropriate competency levelled at B2-C1 are correctly prompted. Additionally, the findings underlined the imperative need for test developers to ...
The study on the Academic Achievements and Employability of Graduates in Institutions of Higher L... more The study on the Academic Achievements and Employability of Graduates in Institutions of Higher Learning (Morshidi et. al. 2004) reveals that English language skills have significant impact on employability. It has been identified that failure to be hired among the Malay graduates ...
... Jamaluddin Aziz School of Media and Communication Studies Faculty of Social Sciences and Huma... more ... Jamaluddin Aziz School of Media and Communication Studies Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia(UKM) Fuzirah Hashim School of Language Studies and Linguistics Faculty of Social Sciences Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) ...
Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
One of the main concerns that have been raised in the realm of the graduate employability workfor... more One of the main concerns that have been raised in the realm of the graduate employability workforce in Malaysia is for graduates to be competent in speaking English. The concern on the graduates’ standard in speaking English has been amplified to meet a global standard. It has triggered the Malaysian Ministry of Education to adopt the CEFR benchmark. This paper presents the framework of a CEFR-informed curriculum for Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) English Language (EL) courses at UKM and its basis. The paper outlines the method used in framing the curriculum structure based on the ADDIE model. It particularises the curriculum structure into four (4) main implementation phases that address the different proficiency levels in the targeted CEFR levels.
English has been regarded as one of the core subjects in the Malaysian Certificate of Education o... more English has been regarded as one of the core subjects in the Malaysian Certificate of Education or known as the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). There has been a concern over the writing components in English language papers at the SPM level. Writing requires students’ competence in syntax, coherence, developing and arranging ideas, mechanics in writing and appropriate use of vocabulary. A concern over students who produce very limited number of words in their essays has resulted in the lack of content to be assessed which then led to low scores. This paper presents an error analysis focusing on the types of errors found in students’ written test scripts to identify the weaknesses of students' writing abilities. The study adopts a qualitative approach where the students’ written assessment texts were collected. A total of 18 upper secondary Year Four students (aged 16 years old) were selected as the research participants. The selection of participants was carried out in a second...
Environmental Risk Analysis for Asian-Oriented, Risk-Based Watershed Management
Information is the first step to solutions towards awareness of the need for improved water manag... more Information is the first step to solutions towards awareness of the need for improved water management. Recognizing the right information to be communicated well to the community and the general public is invaluable in order to change behaviour and attitude for better and sustainable water quality and supply. The type of information and how this information is disseminated to the community need to be given considerable attention. This chapter focuses on water information access (WIA) and the framework in developing its ‘communication pack’ to be taken into consideration when communicating water issues to the public. It presents the framework or methodological research design that was adopted in designing the framework of the ‘water information access’ (WIA). The project identifies the prioritized information and the relevant communication methods that are needed to raise water information awareness among the community. These findings were incorporated in the WIA carnival in its aims to educate and promote water information awareness to the community.
Teachers often adopt a particular teaching and learning approach in their classes to ensure that ... more Teachers often adopt a particular teaching and learning approach in their classes to ensure that effective learning takes place. It is assumed that teaching working adults would require the teachers to indirectly adopt an approach that suits the learners. Knowles (1978) theorized that adult learners have distinct and unique characteristics and therefore require continual opportunities to identify their needs and recognize the relevance of their learning (Knowles,1978, Zemke & Zemke, 1981). They need self directed learning opportunities in which they can actively participate. A learner-centred approach is commonly practiced in ESP classes in order to cater to learners' needs and expectations. This paper attempts to make recommendations on the feasible use of IT approach in its material use to enhance the quality of teacher expertise based on an investigation on the course effectiveness of Public Speaking to BBA executives. The data gathered is based on an investigation on the eff...
This article reports on teachers’ and students’ reactions to “Circuit Learning” (CL), an innovati... more This article reports on teachers’ and students’ reactions to “Circuit Learning” (CL), an innovative teaching approach implemented at a public tertiary institution in Malaysia. It highlights specifically observations made of the students’ reactions towards this new learning approach and the teachers’ perceptions towards its effectiveness in improving the English language learning experiences among low proficiency students in a Foundation English course. The analyses of findings suggest that majority of the students showed positive reactions towards CL, although some reservations were detected at the initial stage. Teachers’ reactions towards its effectiveness were generally mixed. Nonetheless both teachers and students identified many aspects of CL that were noteworthy, especially in the promotion of motivation and confidence among these students, hence indicating its feasibility and potential as a teaching innovation for ESL teaching and learning. This article begins by explicating the design and underpinnings of CL and this is followed by analyses of the responses from participating students as well as teachers through students’ questionnaires and students and teachers’ reflections. The paper concludes with implications and recommendations that promotes better the implementation of the CL approach. Keywords: English language proficiency, ESL teaching methodology, small group learning, Mentoring-coaching approach
Information is the first step to solutions towards awareness of the need for improved water manag... more Information is the first step to solutions towards awareness of the need for improved water management. Recognizing the right information to be communicated well to the community and the general public is invaluable in order to change behaviour and attitude for better and sustainable water quality and supply. The type of information and how this information is disseminated to the community need to be given considerable attention. This chapter focuses on water information access (WIA) and the framework in developing its ‘communication pack’ to be taken into consideration when communicating water issues to the public. It presents the framework or methodological research design that was adopted in designing the framework of the ‘water information access’ (WIA). The project identifies the prioritized information and the relevant communication methods that are needed to raise water information awareness among the community. These findings were incorporated in the WIA carnival in its aims...
Linguistic sexism and gender stereotyping are barriers to gender equality. If they are inculcated... more Linguistic sexism and gender stereotyping are barriers to gender equality. If they are inculcated at an early age, they could be institutionalized and become part of the social code. Hence the school environment, where children receive their earliest education about society, norms, culture and the world around them, should be free of such biasness. One medium where linguistic sexism and gender stereotyping can exist is school textbooks. Children exposed to textbooks that contain gender ideology may internalize it. This paper, therefore, aims to study the linguistic sexism in Qatari primary mathematics textbooks. A quantitative qualitative approach is adopted. Wordsmith Tools 5.0 is used for the quantitative analysis and Fairclough’s (1989) Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is used for the qualitative analysis. The findings reveal that males are more visible than females in imported texts. However, in the Qatari published textbooks, females are more visible and dominant than males. T...
The challenge of teaching English to Malaysian tertiary students has become more daunting conside... more The challenge of teaching English to Malaysian tertiary students has become more daunting considering the latest developments in technology. Teachers therefore face the challenges of having to deal with a majority of learners who not only have little confidence or competence in using English language but also lack analytical, critical and creative skills. Hence, teachers can overcome this problem by carrying out language activities that concentrate on the development of multiple literacy skills among learners. This article will demonstrate specifically the ways in which the incorporation of multimodal materials will not only enhance students' English language competency but also their analytical and creative thinking skills. More importantly, this study focuses primarily on techniques and tools to enhance the students' English as a Second Language (ESL) learning achievement and learning satisfaction in the classroom setting. More specifically, the study utilizes the use of various multimodal texts as the teaching and learning approaches that include both auditory and visual modes encompassing video recording, YouTube videos, songs and Adobe voice. Additionally, within the multimodality framework, the students carried out a project in teams and explored authentic multimodal texts. Several interesting trends emerged based on the interpretation of the results. First, students were found to be more proactive and take ownership of their own learning processes. Second, learners were able to use the language in a more critical and creative manner due to the nature of the texts. Third, students were able to develop language learning skills both individually and in teams.
Today, there is a strong demand for employees who are competent in communication skills as a resu... more Today, there is a strong demand for employees who are competent in communication skills as a result of global competitiveness in industries. The same requirement is also demanded of those in the accountancy discipline. Accountants need to be competent in various generic skills, including those related to communication, working under pressure and problem solving. This study explored accounting interns' perspectives of the challenges and issues faced during their internship experiences and how their English language and communication skills can be improved. In this study, a qualitative research method was adopted where semi-structured interviews were conducted with (i) five interns from the Faculty of Economics and Management of a public university in Malaysia, along with (ii) two managers, and (iii) a supervisor of a Chartered Accountant Company. The interview data was transcribed verbatim and analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis. The interns' data were triangulated with the responses from the managers and supervisor which were later validated by three independent interraters using the Cohen's Kappa Reliability Test. Based on the findings, it was identified that the English language communication challenges faced by the accounting interns encompassed (i) their unfamiliarity with workplace terms and jargons, (ii) the English accent being used, and (iii) the level of difficulty of the various tasks. The interns' perspectives on ways to improve English language communication skills included improving the teaching and learning of English at the university, holding more programmes in English, and making self-efforts by undergraduates to improve their communication skills.
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Papers by Zarina Othman