DEVELOPING BENCHMARKS OF CULTURAL AND LANGUAGE

COMPETENCIES OF GRADUATES FOR EMPLOYABILITY:

LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION POLICY

UKM-SK-05-FRGS0007-2006

Prof Madya Dr Koo Yew Lie (Ketua penyelidik)

Ms Lee Siew Chin (Ahli)
Mr Tng Cheah Kiu Choon (Ahli)
Mr Fadhil H A Y Mansor (Ahli)
Mr Lin Luck Kee (Ahli)

ABSTRACT

The research aims to benchmark the cultural and linguistic competencies of Malaysian
graduates with the discourses of employability and current concerns in Global and
Malaysian Higher Education. The theoretical literature includes studies on new literacy
studies (Gee, 2000) and pluriliteracy (Koo, 2008 a, b) language, communication,
employment studies, sociology, psychology, anthropology, cultural, communication and
media studies, pedagogy, technology, education, language Malaysian and area studies,
and innovations in learning involving conventional and digital technologies. 9 domains of
literacies are theorised - linguistic proficiency, communicative literacy, culture
awareness, content literacy, general knowledge, sustainable citizenship, mindset and
attitudes, vocational literacy and critical thinking. Questionnaires for learners and
employers are designed with a view to obtaining information on learner and employer
expectations of the cultural and language competencies of Malaysian graduates..
Qualitative interviews with learners and employers are conducted around key themes
arising from the quantitative questionnaire, and theoretical literature. A innovative
theoretical and conceptual framework of cultural and linguistic competencies will be
provided to ground transformative education and human resource development policy in
line with the Action Plans of Higher Education in Malaysia (2007-2020).