BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS TESIS

Transcription

1 PSZ 19 : 16 (Pind. 1/97) UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS TESIS JUDUL : ORAL PROFICIENCY PROBLEMS OF THE FOURTH YEAR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS IN UTM SESI PENGAJIAN : 2008/2009 Saya NADIAFAZLINA BINTI PAKHARUDIN (HURUF BESAR) mengaku membenarkan tesis (PSM/Sarjana/Doktor Falsafah)* ini disimpan di Perpustakaan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut: 1. Tesis adalah hakmilik Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. 2. Perpustakaan Teknologi Malaysia dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja. 3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan tesis ini sebagai bahan pertukaran antara institusi pengajian tinggi. 4. ** Sila tandakan ( ) SULIT TERHAD (Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau kepentingan Malaysia seperti yang termaktub di dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972) (Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan) TIDAK TERHAD (TANDATANGAN PENULIS) Alamat tetap: KG. BATU SATU, JLN. MALIM NAWAR, MALIM NAWAR PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN. (TANDATANGAN PENYELIA) ASSOC. PROF. DR. HADINA BTE HABIL NAMA PENYELIA Tarikh: 29 APRIL 2009 Tarikh: 29 APRIL 2009 CATATAN: * Potong yang tidak berkenaan. ** Jika tesis ini SULIT atau TERHAD, sila lampirkan surat daripada pihak berkuasa/organisasi berkenaan dengan menyatakan sekali sebab dan tempoh tesis ini perlu dikelaskan sebagai SULIT atau TERHAD. Tesis dimaksudkan sebagai tesis bagi Ijazah Doktor Falsafah dan Sarjana secara penyelidikan atau disertasi bagi pengajian sebagai kerja kursus dan penyelidikan atau Laporan Projek Sarjana Muda (PSM).

2 ii I hereby declare that I have read this thesis and in my opinion this thesis is sufficient in terms of scope and quality for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science with Education (TESL) Signature : Name of Supervisor : ASSOC. PROF. DR HADINA BTE HABIL Date : 29 APRIL 2009

3 iii ORAL PROFICIENCY PROBLEMS OF THE FOURTH YEAR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS IN UTM NADIAFAZLINA BINTI PAKHARUDIN A report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Bachelor Science with Education (TESL) Faculty of Education Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 2009

4 iv I declare that this thesis entitled Oral Proficiency Problems Of The Fourth Year Mechanical Engineering Students In Utm is the result of my own research except as cited in the references. The thesis has not been accepted for any degree and is not concurrently submitted in candidature of any other degree. Signature : Name : NADIAFAZLINA BINTI PAKHARUDIN Date : 29 APRIL 2009

5 v A Special Dedication To Papa and Mama, and their patience for a prodigal daughter And to my other half

6 vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Alhamdulillah to the Merciful Most Gracious. First and foremost, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the person who has been patience and guiding me all the way - my PSM supervisor Dr Hadina Habil. I am also grateful to Pn Zanariah Md Saleh for helping me with the abstract while Dr Hadina performed her umrah. Also, to all my dear friends for supporting me, and to my other half for his endless support in helping me finish this research.

7 vii ABSTRACT This study is undertaken to investigate the oral communication proficiency of fourth year Mechanical Engineering students from UTM. The objectives of this study were to find out students perception of their English language oral proficiency, to identify the oral communication needs of the students during Industrial Training and also to investigate their perception towards the effectiveness of the language proficiency courses and programs offered in UTM. Fifty fourth year Mechanical Engineering students who had undergone industrial training took part in this study. The collection of data in this study was done using two instruments: questionnaire and interviews. The findings of the study showed that students were not satisfied with their level of English language proficiency, and were reluctant to make the effort to improve themselves although they have realized the importance of oral communication skills at the workplace after they have gone through their industrial training. It was also found that the students did not gain much benefit from the English language proficiency courses and English language programs offered in UTM. In conclusion, this study has shown that oral communication is very important at the workplace and there is a need to equip students with oral communication skills.

8 viii ABSTRAK Kajian ini dijalankan untuk menyiasat komunikasi Bahasa Inggeris secara lisan di kalangan pelajar-pelajar tahun akhir Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dari UTM. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk mengenalpasti persepsi pelajar terhadap komunikasi Bahasa Inggeris secara lisan, mengenalpasti keperluan komunikasi secara lisan semasa Latihan Industri, dan menyiasat persepsi pelajar terhadap keberkesanan subjek-subjek dan program Bahasa Inggeris yang ditawarkan di UTM. Lima puluh responden yang terdiri daripada pelajar-pelajar Kejuruteraan Mekanikal tahun empat yang telah menjalani Latihan Industri telah terlibat dalam kajian ini. Maklumat dan data bagi kajian ini dikumpulkan menggunakan dua instrument: borang soal selidik dan temu bual. Dapatan kajian ini ialah pelajar tidak berpuashati dengan kemahiran komunikasi Bahasa Inggeris secara lisan, dan tidak berminat untuk berusaha meningkatkan kemahiran mereka walaupun telah tahu kepentingan kemahiran komunikasi Bahasa Inggeris secara lisan selepas menjalani latihan industri. Kajian ini juga telah membuktikan pelajar tidak memanfaatkan subjek-subjek dan program Bahasa Inggeris untuk memperbaiki Bahasa Inggeris mereka. Kesimpulannya, kajian ini telah menunjukkan bahawa komunikasi secara lisan amat penting terutamanya di tempat kerja dan perlunya melengkapkan pelajar dengan kemahiran komunikasi secara lisan.

9 ix TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER TITLE PAGE DECLARATION iv DEDICATION v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi ABSTRACT vii ABSTRAK viii TABLE OF CONTENTS ix LIST OF TABLES LIST OF DIAGRAMS xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiv LIST OF APPENDICES xv 1 INTRODUCTION Introduction Background of Study Problem Statement Purposes of Study Objectives of the Study Research Questions Significance of the Study Scope of the Study Definitions of Terms Oral Communication Proficiency 6

10 x 2 LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction Communication and Engineers Overview of Communication Overview of Mechanical Engineer Engineering Communication Written Communication Oral Communication Graphical Communication Importance of Oral Communication for Engineer Issues in Oral Communication Attitude Towards English and Communication Insufficient Course Content Inappropriate Teaching Methodologies Practice Opportunities of English and 16 Communication 2.4 Courses in UTM The English Proficiency Subjects in UTM UHB UHB UHB Electives Industrial Training 20 3 METHODOLOGY Introduction Research Instrument Questionnaire Interviews Respondent of the Study 25

11 xi 3.3 Research Procedure Data Analysis Pilot Study Findings of the Pilot Study Interviews 29 4 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS Introduction Analysis of the Respondents SPM English 1119 and MUET Band Internship Information Student s Perception on Their Oral Communication 34 Proficiency in English 4.3 Oral Communication During Industrial Training Job Specifications of Engineers Communication While Doing Internship The Effectiveness of the Language Proficiency Courses 44 In UTM Students Awareness of Short Courses 47 Offered by CTL Students Awareness About Oral Skills 48 In UHB Courses Student s Use of Oral Skills Taught in UHB 49 Courses During Industrial Training 4.5 Students Suggestion on Improving Oral 50 Communication Skills 4.6 Conclusion 50 5 SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Introduction 52

12 xii 5.1 Overview of the Study Restatement of the Objectives Review of the Findings Limitations of the Study Recommendations of the Study Recommendations for Future Study 56 REFERENCES 57 APPENDICES 59-71

13 xiii LIST OF TABLES TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE 3.1 Sections of the Questionnaire Respondents Perception on Oral Communication 34 Skills 4.3 Respondents Industrial Training Experience (i) Job Specifications of Engineers in Formal Context (ii) Job Specifications of Engineers in Informal Context (i) Respondents Job Specifications in Formal Context (i) Respondents Job Specifications in Informal 42 Context 4.4 Respondents Perception on Language Proficiency 45 Courses and Programs in UTM Respondents Awareness of Short Courses Offered 47 by CTL Respondents Awareness of Oral Skills Taught in 48 UHB Courses Students Use of Oral Skills Taught in UHB 48 Courses During Industrial Training

14 xiv LIST OF FIGURES FIGURES NO. TITLE PAGE 2.1 Aspects of Language Competence Types of Engineering Communication (i) Respondents English (i) Respondents MUET Band 32

15 xv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS FKM UTM ASME CEO ESP MUET SPM UHB SPSS CTL SMM JKR MARDI JPA AUTO CAD FOE UIAM - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering - Universiti Teknologi Malaysia - American Society of Mechanical Engineering - Chief Executive Officer - English for Specific Purposes - Malaysia University English Test - Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia - Course Code for Language Proficiency Courses - Statistical Package for Sosial Science - Centre of Teaching and Learning, UTM - Course Code for Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Pure) - Jabatan Kerja Raya - Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute - Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam - Computer-Aided Design (Design Software) - Friends of English - University Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

16 xvi LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX TITLE PAGE 1 Interview Questions Part Interview Questions Part Questionnaire 62 4 Internship Information of Respondents 68 5 Syllabus of Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering 70 Curriculum

17 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.0 Introduction Malaysia has been regarded as a progressing third world country for many years. This nation is proud of its development, especially in its industries. Two world landmarks are built on this land, proving its growing capability to cope with advancing technology and constructions of first world countries. Engineering industry is one of the many reasons how Malaysia is developing rapidly. Engineering fields have helped a lot with the everyday lives of Malaysian citizen from inventions of logistic to building constructions. Useful vehicles until mass production and complex machineries were engineered to ease the routine and keep the people comfortable in their daily lives. In order to make known to the world that Malaysia is also one of the progressing nations in the engineering field, English is heavily needed for the use of engineers especially in their communication. There are many studies that have proved how vital English really is to engineers. The ability to communicate in English is an important skill as this is the yardstick of professionalism and ability of an engineer.

18 2 1.1 Background of the Study The Board of Engineering (BEM), based on the 2007 Accreditation Manual, has outlined that engineering graduates should attain not only the ability to apply science and engineering knowledge and technically competence in engineering discipline, but they should also have the ability to communicate effectively; not only with fellow engineers, but the community at large. Engineers use communication skills to explain technical designs, ideas and processes pertaining to engineering work. Thus the syllabus and programs in the university should be equipping these students with the much needed communication skills. The fourth year mechanical engineering students in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM) in UTM have completed their industrial training at the beginning of the semester. Most of them had their internship in multinational and high profile companies, forcing them to actually communicate in English with people in the company. Thus, the need to be well equipped with all the necessary knowledge of an engineer as well as the communication skills is vital. One must possess these skills in order to advance in their career and be successful. A personal communication with a sales manager and human resource executive of a multinational, high profile companies as well as technician and engineer from a public listed company revealed that communication skills are extremely important criteria in career; in fact, as had been reported in the newspapers and studies done, all votes will be going to communication skills as the most needed skills in employment if surveys were to be done to most corporate industries.

19 3 1.2 Problem Statement English is extremely relevant in today s workplace situation, and will stay that way in the future regardless of which field and discipline it is. This is due to the fact that the profession of engineering has become increasingly international (Riemer, 2002). They should possess certain standards of communication skills and soft skills to get them through their career. Based on a personal communication, only in the fourth year have the mechanical engineering students realized how crucial English is to their career after they had gone through their industrial training. A well developed communication skills help a lot in building a good image of engineers, especially UTM graduates. Riemer (2002) said that since English is used in facilitating communication between cultures, the engineering curriculum is obliged to emphasize on the English language and communication skills. He also identified three issues in engineering education especially in training the students in terms of communication skills students attitudes to communication itself, insufficient course content and deficient or inappropriate teaching methods. There is a need to investigate to what extent the university courses and syllabus is preparing engineering students in their oral communication skills, especially in English language. Obtaining insights of the student s attitude towards English language and communication skills is also very important to help them to treat communication more seriously.

20 4 1.3 Purposes of Study Based on this situation mentioned above, it is time to dig deeper to the causes of the lack of oral communication skills, which area precisely are they having trouble with, and consequently to identify how sufficient is language learning in the university helped them to prepare for the competitive world of employment. 1.4 Objectives of the Study The objectives of the study are: i. to elicit the perception of the students English oral communication proficiency in general. ii. to identify the usage of oral communication in terms of its context (example oral presentations, meetings etcetera) during industrial training. iii. to gather information on the effectiveness of the language proficiency courses and programs in the university.

21 5 1.5 Research Questions What do they think of their English oral communication proficiency in general? When and how do they use oral communication skills during their industrial training? Are the language proficiency courses in UTM sufficient enough to help the students communicate during their industrial training? 1.6 Significance of the Study The study is addressed to find out the reasons why students of the FKM are still having problems in their oral communication proficiency despite the various language programs and courses offered in UTM. The study also concentrate on the syllabus used in their study that have been designed to fill the needs of the students while finishing their undergraduate study versus the language needs of the students when they started their industrial training. 1.7 Scope of the Study The study will be defined by the oral communication problems that mechanical engineering students faced during their industrial training. Methods of collecting data will be done by interviews and distribution of questionnaires to a sample size of 60 students from two classes of the fourth year mechanical