Is it Necessary for English to

be Taught in Multimedia
University for Workplace
Communication Need?

BAE 1044
GROUP ASSIGNMENT

Lecturers Name: Ng Mindy

Section: BC 105
Trimester: Trimester 2 2013/2014

No
1
2
3
4
5

Name
Noor Faezah Ghulam Sarver
Yogananthani Kanesan
Nur Sazielah Yusoff
Nur Liyana Yasmin bt Mohd Rastam
Lim Su Woon
ABSTRACT

Student ID
1131120630
1121116708
1131120662
1131120613
1112701388

Signature

The aim of this report was to investigate is it necessary for English to be taught in
Multimedia University for workplace communication need. A survey is conducted to 25
2

participants where they have to answer the questionnaires given. The visual findings of the
results are presented in graph, chart and table. The results indicate that the majority of among
25 participants of the investigation who has validly filled our questionnaires agreed English is
necessary to be taught in Multimedia University for future workplace communication need. It
is recommended that students should learn English. No matter what year you are in, it would
be beneficial for students to do well in academic performance.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all we would like to express our gratitude and appreciation
t o t h a n k G o d a s f i n a l l y w e w e r e a b l e t o complete our report successfully. A
warm well deserved thank you to our beloved lecturer, Miss Ng.Mindy for all the
3

learning experiences and her invaluable guidance with a vivid description of the topic
as well as her encouragement to maintain our progress on track through completing our
report. The topic that has been chosen by our group was, Is It Necessary for English
to Be Taught in Universities for Workplace Communication Need. I would also like to
acknowledge with much appreciation to our parents for their generosity and continuous
emotional support throughout entire process of this report by keeping us harmonious and
helping us putting pieces together. Last but not least, a special thank you goes to all
the team members for the effort as well as outstanding contributions throughout
the entire process of completing this report. It was really a brainstorming
moment as there were so much time and energy this report demanded yet we have
able made it a great success by solving every problem wisely. Not to forget a
million thanks also we wish to all our classmates for their invaluable ideas and
comments which gave us an inspiration to improve our report. Finally, we thank all the
people for their help directly or indirectly in completing this report especially to the
participants in our survey, who have willingly shared their precious time during the process
of answering the questionnaires survey.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
No

Content

Page

Cover Page

Abstract

3
4

Acknowledgement

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

Introduction

7-8

a) Background

b) Terms of Reference

c) Purpose and Scope

d) Methods

Findings

9-23

Conclusions

24

10

Recommendations

25

11

List of References

26

12

Appendices

27-42

LIST OF TABLES
Table

No. of Question

1
2(a)
(b)

Question 4
Question 5
Question 5

Page
10
11

LIST OF FIGURES
Figures

No. of Question

Page

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

10

Question 6

12

Question 7

13

Question 8

14

Question 9

15

Question 10

16

Question 11

17

10

Question 12

17

11

Question 13

18

12

Question 14

18

13

Question 15

19

14

Question 16

19-20

15

Question 17

20

16

Question 18

21

17

Question 19

22

18

Question 20

23
INTRODUCTION

Background
English has become vitally important as it is spoken in so many parts of the world. It
is widely spoken across the globe, even on the internet. Businesses, educational domains,
academic domains and even realms that deal with the security use English for communication
6

nowadays. It is the most useful language to learn for international travel and is now the de
facto language of diplomacy. Realizing the importance of the English language, the
government has begun implementing new curriculum to help boost the English language
learning as a means of pushing the younger generation towards being better able to compete
with the global community. Most employers prefer their staffs to be able to speak and write
English fluently. Many multi-national companies in Malaysia who need Malaysian work
force are on the lookout for those who are proficient in English, as they are going to deal on
the international level. Learning English will open students job prospects and not to mention
definitely will increase the standard of living. Moreover, a good communication creates a
good environment and relationship between everyone in every organization especially if it is
inside a business while English is now required in every company. English is the dominant
business language and it has become almost a necessity for people to speak English if they
are to enter a global workforce, research from all over the world shows that cross-border
business communication is most often conducted in English. We are fully agreed with our
former Prime Minister, Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamed that English is the language of industry
that benefits students (The Star, 22.11.2013). English makes accessing information easy for
students. Internationally, people need one common language. For many years, English has
been the common world-wide language, and it will be in the future. For this reason, if you
want to follow trends, new gadgets and technology, modernization of the developing world,
you have to know English whatever age you are in. Generally, Standard English today does
not only depend on accent but rather on shared educational experience, mainly of the printed
language. Obviously today we cannot deny the importance of English in our life and it is an
absolute necessity as it is the means of communications.

Terms of Reference
Investigation report conducted in order to find out whether is it necessary for English
to be taught in Multimedia University for workplace communication in future. We were
requested to do the report and conducted a survey among the students in Multimedia
University by Miss Ng.Mindy concerning by the subject that we are taking named English for
Business Communication. It took about two months to complete the research.

Purpose and Scope

The objective of this research is to find out whether it is necessary for English to be
taught and the perception of the student towards learning English in Multimedia University.
The study is based on a survey conducted in December 2013 whose participants were
students of Multimedia University from every faculty.
Method
The results of the findings of this research were derived mainly based on
questionnaires. A multiple choice questionnaire was designed and obtained mostly used our
knowledge as well as few online resources about the importance of English. There were 25 of
questionnaires were filled by respondent validly. The data obtained from questionnaires was
analyzed using pie chart, bar graph, line graph and tables and conclusions are drawn based on
overall results of the findings.

FINDINGS
Question 1

Figure 1 shows the gender

The above pie chart (Figure 1) shows, 11 of them are male students and another 14 are
female students.
Question 2

Figure 2: Students Year of Study

Based on the bar graph above, there are 25 students. Most students are at the first year
level which is 15students where the least of students are in the third year level which is only
one student. Four students are studying at the foundation levels, two students are in the
second year and the other three students in the final year.
Question 3

Figure 3: Students Range of CGPA

Bar line above shows the numbers of students and CGPA achieved by them. None of
the students scored CGPA below than 2.00. Two students scored their CGPA at the range of
2.00 to 2.50 while five students scored 2.51 3.00. Most of the students which is 13 of them
able to score 3.01 to 3.50 in their CGPA whereas only five students manage to get flying
colours results when they scored CGPA of 3.51 to 4.0.
Question 4
Level of proficiency in English

Number of Students

Excellent
Good
Average
Poor

6
9
12
0
Table 1: Level of Proficiency in English

The table above shows the level of proficiency in English among students. Majority of
student proficiency in English is at the average level. Six students are at the excellent level in
their English while nine students at the good level. None of the student been placed in poor
level for their English level.

Question 5
Band that students obtain in MUET
10

Band
1
2
3
4
5
6

Number of Students
0
4
5
3
3
0
Table 2 (a): Band obtained in MUET

The table above shows band that students obtained in their MUET results. There is
none of them scored Band 1. Four scored Band 2, five students in Band 3 and only 3 students
in Band 4 and Band 5. Lastly, none of them get Band 6.
Grades

Number of Students of SPM

English
2
0
0
1
0
1

A+
A
AB
BC+

Number of Students of GCE OLevel English

0
3
0
3
0
0

Table 2 (b): Grades of SPM English Students and of GCE O-Level English.
Table above shows grades, number of students of SPM English and number of
students of GCE O-Level English. There are two students that get A+ in SPM English. One of
them get grade B and another one get C. For GCE O-Level English three students get A and
another three students get grade B.

Question 6

11

Language usage in gadgets

4% 4%
English

4%
Mandarine

Malay

Others

88%

Figure 4: What language do you use in your gadgets such as hand phones and laptops?
The pie chart shows the languages that students using in their gadgets such as hand
phones and laptops. Among the 25 sample students, up to 22 students are using English
language in their gadgets. While 2 students are using Mandarin and one student is using
Malay. None of them are using other languages. The higher number of usage of English in
gadgets shows the comfortableness of the users with the language. Based

on

the

results

above, we can conclude that English is the most convenient and comfortable language to be
used among the students. English has become the widest medium spoken and written in the
world. This factor enhances the students to use English as a medium to communicate among
people thus making both parties to a better understanding. Moreover using English does make
communications transparent as no racial issue will be raised up during an important
conversation taking place. By setting English as default language in hand phones, it does
make easier for a third party to use our hand phones. Adding on, most of the applications
lately use English as a default language making us to give importance towards English for a
safer and better communication. There are the least of factors that could affect the importance
of English in gadgets especially for communication purposes.

Question 7
12

English is an interesting language to learn

12
10
8
6

Number of Students

4
2
0
Storngly Agree

Agree

Neutral Strongly Disagree Disagree

Options

Figure 5: I think English is an interesting subject to learn

The above line graph shows that, the perception of students about English as an
interesting subject to learn. Surprisingly, majority which is 11 students have strongly agreed
while, 10 students have agreed. Even though, there is none of them showed their
disagreement on the statement, still four of the students have a neutral perception to either
agree or disagree on the statement. Lets move on to a deeper research on factors that
influence the result above. Well, as we can see, majority answers that English is an interesting
subject to learn. We are thought of English since preschool, which is a stage of developmental
for kids. Learning English in such a young age makes us to grab this language faster and
easier. Upon growing up, we just need to enhance our knowledge in English which is to brush
our reading and writing skills. Thus this makes us English an interesting subject to learn.
English is also not an alien language for most of us as it has become a wide usage language in
the world. Other than that, the methods used to teach English lately makes us to learn his
language easier in a more interesting method. Therefore, these are the reasons where could
influence for our question above.

Question 8

13

English is easy to understand

15
10
Number of Students

5
0
Storngly Agree

Agree

Neutral Strongly DisagreeDisagree

Options

Figure 6: English is easy to understand

The above line graph illustrates the outcomes from the statement English is easy to
understand. Almost 17 students agreed that English is easy to understand. There are about
seven students who have strongly agreed on the statement. While one student disagreed, three
students have neutral opinion on this statement. Why do most of them agree that English is
easy to understand? Well, the previous question does give us a slight answer for this puzzle.
As we discussed earlier, the methods used by others in approaching us by speaking English
makes us to understand this language easily. No doubt that some bombastic words could lead
to some misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the particular words used. But this can be
overcome with a synonym which makes all of us that English is an easy language to be
understood.

Question 9
14

English as a compulsory subject to be taught

14
12
10
8
Number of Students

6
4
2
0
Storngly Agree

Agree

Neutral Strongly Disagree Disagree

Options

Figure 7: English is a compulsory subject to be taught in Universities

The lines graph above shows, the results of the statement which emphasis English as a
compulsory subject to be taught in Universities. Interestingly, 13 over 25 students have
strongly agreed to the statement and the rest of the students have agreed also. None of them
has disagreed on the statement. This shows, everyone agrees that English is a compulsory
subject to be taught in Universities. Why English is a compulsory subject to be taught in
Universities? Well, a few factors affect this scenario. Firstly, out text books in universities are
in English which make us to learn English. Moreover, we do have expatriates, which include
staffs and students where they do understand English better than any other languages. Adding
on to this factor could be for our future employment where most of the corporates out there
are using English as a medium to communicate. English has to be taught in universities to
enhance the language capability level in a student thus making him/her to be more confident
to face the real world.

Question 10
15

Help of syllabi to improve english communication skills

15
10
Number of Students
5
0
Storngly Agree

Agree

Neutral Strongly Disagree Disagree

Options

Figure 8: The syllabi help me to improve my English communication skills

The above line graph shows that, whether the syllabi help them to improve their
English communication skills. It can be seen clearly that 13 students have agreed on the
statement. Whereas, number of students who have strongly agreed that the syllabi are helpful
for them to improve their English communication skills are 9. There are two students who
have strongly disagreed on the statement above and about one student disagreed also.
Obviously syllabi do help us to improve our English. This is because, humans dont really
aware of their mistakes upon speaking or writing by using English. Syllabi also improve our
grammar plus vocab to make us feel more confident in speaking to other people. As we all
know we do meet people of many ranges especially during teenager and adulthood periods.
Therefore we do need to update ourselves in English so that we could meet their
requirements. Syllabi also make us to learn English easier as we do not need to depend to a
third party to improve our language skills.

Question 11
16

Learning English will Help in Future Workplace

16

15

14
12
10

10

8
6
4
2
0 0
0
STRONGLY DISAGREE DISAGREE

0
NEUTRAL

AGREE

STRONGLY AGREE

Figure 9: Learning English will help in Future Workplace

The line graph in figure 11 shows that there are 15 students strongly agreed and 10
students agreed that learning English will help them in their future workplace. However, there
are no anyone who disagree or neutral with this statement.
Question 12

Doing Presentation in English, will Enhance Communication skills

14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
STRONGLY DISAGREE DISAGREE

NEUTRAL

AGREE

STRONGLY AGREE

Figure 10: Doing Presentation in English, will Enhance Communication Skills

The line graph in figure 12 shows the statement about doing prensentation in english,
will enhance the communication skills. There are 13 students strongly agreed with it, 8
studens agreed , 4 students neutral. However, none of them were disagree or strong disagree
with this statement.

17

Question 13

English is More Improtant than Other Languages

12
10

10

8
6

4
2

1
0 0
STRONGLY DISAGREE DISAGREE

NEUTRAL

AGREE

STRONGLY AGREE

Figure 11: English is More Important than Other Languages

The line graph in figure 13 above shows a statement about english is more important
than other languages. There are 9 students strongly agreed with this statement, 10 persons
agreed, and 5 students neutral with it. Other than that, there are 1 persons disagreed with this
statement, but nobody strongly disagreed.
Question 14

Feel Confident Speaking in English

NO

YES

22

10

15

20

25

Figure 12: Feel Confident Speaking in English

18

The line graph in figure 14 shows that there are 22 students feel confident speaking in
English. However, there are 3 students not feel confident speaking in English, the big reason
is because they are poor in english.
Question 15

Willing to Spend Time and Money to Learn English

NO

YES

20

10

15

20

25

Figure 13: Willing to Spend Time and Money to Learn English

From figure 15, we may see that there are 20 students willing to spend time and
money to learn english in any other institutions than MMU if MMU do not offer english
courses. However, there are 5 students not willing to do that so.
Question 16

0
Yes

Proficiency in English Enhances/Improves the Image of An Institution

25

Column1

0 5 10 15 20 25

Figure 16: Being Proficient in English Enhances or Improves the Image of an Institution
19

The bar graph in figure 16 above illustrates that all students agreed that proficiency in
English will enhances or improves the image of an institution. Being proficient in English is
defined as the ability of using the language to make and communicate meaning appropriately
in spoken and written contexts in the course of their higher education studies and in their life
and work after graduation which means helping students to learn and acquire the necessary
relevant communications skills to equip them for a successful life in the working world in
future. Its like an ultimate test before entering to the working world. Reading a good book
can get one enter a different world of relaxation. By any means, proficiency in English would
reflect the image of an institution when entering to the working world.
Question 17

What Helps in Improving English Communication Skills

0
What Helps in Improving English Communication Skills
7
0
8
2
4
6
8
10

11

12

Figure 17: What Helps in Improving English Communication Skill

The pie chart in figure 17 above illustrates there are 8 respondents chose by reading
books help them to improve their communication skills whereas there are 7 and 11 students
who chose conversation with people and watching television and listening to radio help them
to improve their English Communication Skills respectively while 0 for others. Reading is
one of the most effective ways to build vocabulary and grammar. Youll find that over time,
reading will expand your vocabulary as well as informing about the culture of English
speaking countries. Somehow, reading might be hard for certain people and take some time.
Besides that, having conversation with people in English everyday as much as possible until
it will become more natural where your friends and you can correct each other when needed
also help to improve English communication skill especially when you have diverse friends.
Besides that, the subtitles of a movie and watching English channels on your television as

20

well as listening to the radio in English are one of the quickest ways to improve
understanding and English communication skill.

Question 18

Department that Give Priority to English

Management & Executives
7
16

Admin & Staffs

2

Manufacturing Service
Support
All of The Above

Figure 18: Department that Give Priority to English

The pie chart in Figure 18 above shows that 16 students chose all of the departments
in a company would give priority to English whereas 7 students chose Management and
Executives Department and 2 students chose Admin and Staffs Department while 0 for
Manufacturing Service Support Department. The fact that most major companies and even
some government organizations are being conducted in English shows English really plays a
significant role right at the working levels. To survive in modern society English language
learning is as important as water to us. It is also identified to be one of the factors for many
graduates to be unemployed and they are urged to polish up their knowledge in English and
Communication skills to better equip themselves.

21

Question 19

0
Assignment/Performance of Presentation will be affected if English is Poor.

Yes
25

Column1

10 15 20 25 30

Figure 19: Assignment or Performance of Presentation will be affected if English is Poor

The bar graph in figure 19 above illustrates all students agreed that assignment or
performance of presentation will be affected if English is poor. One of marking scheme for an
assignment and a presentation is language which consists of vocabulary and grammar.
Therefore, poor English might result you losing marks. Assignment and presentation could
also be aids for communication between us and the lecturer. No one would like to see an
assignment or presentation without a clear and consistent focus on their points. It would be
unattractive and lose interest of the lecturer or audience.

22

Question 20

0
Yes
English will help in Getting a Better Job Opportunity in Future
25

Column1

5 10 15 20 25

Figure 20: English will help in Getting a Better Job Opportunity in Future
The bar graph in Figure 20 above shows that all the respondents were completely
agreed English will help in getting a better job opportunity in future. As English has been
widely spoken and used in Malaysia for many years, so much so that it has automatically
become the second language of the country resulting most major companies and even some
government organizations are being conducted in English. Hence, in the last few years owing
to globalization of jobs English has becoming crucial for graduate employment. Therefore, in
order to get a good job you have to get out that armchair and put excellent knowledge of
English. In any line of job you are in, effective communication is essential. Hence, the
knowledge of English is highly important for acquiring a job as it helps in commuting and
opportunities exploration as well as helping you in getting a better job opportunity in future.

23

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, English is a universal language and most widely used in communicating
language around the world. English is very important in workplace, business transaction,
career growth and others. English is a language that been used among people around the
world. It is a language that must be learn and understood by everyone. It is a tool of
communication. We have conducted surveys among Multimedia University students based on
the set of questions to know their level of proficiency in English and their daily usage on this
language. The results of this surveys indicate that most of the students are keen to use this
language in their daily life and would like to improve their level of proficiency in English in
able them to use in for future especially in workforce. The students are also willing to spend
more in order to improve their English. They are also willing to spend their money off in
order to improve their communication skill, grammar, speaking and writing. The surveys
have inferred that Multimedia University students suggested that English should be thought
in the University. Hence, the surveys have shown that English is a language that used among
most of the students in the Multimedia University but students need a medium for them to
improve the language so that they would be able to conquer the language.

24

RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on this report we would like to recommend the students to learn English, no
matter what year you are, it would be beneficial for students to do well in academic
performance. Although the English subject is not offering for all the level of students in
MMU, but students may go institution to learn of it. By the way, English is still an
international language and the whole world people are using it. Thus, having well in English
would help them present well in their future workplace, can easier share out their ideas and
thinks to other people.

25

LIST OF REFERENCES

1) http://knowledge-base.supersurvey.com/survey-questions.htm
2) https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/survey-question-types/

26

APPENDICES

This questionnaire seeks your feedback on the necessity for English to be taught in
MMU for future workplace communication.
The objectives of this questionnaire are:
1 To gain your feedback in order to examine students
perception towards
learning English in MMU.
Your responses will be kept confidential and used only in aggregated form. Your
cooperation is very much appreciated.
QUESTIONNAIRE

SECTIONA: General Information

Please write your responses or tick the appropriate boxes. Only one answer per
question.
1. What is your gender?
Male

Female

2. In which year are you studying?

Foundation
First
Second
27

Third
Final

3. What is the range of your GPA ?

Below 2.00
2.00 2.50
2.51 3.00
3.01 3.50
3.51 4.00

4. What do you think about your level of proficiency in English?

Excellent

Good

Average

Poor

5. a) Which band did you obtain in MUET?

Band : _______.

b) If you have not sat for MUET, please state your results for
SPM English _________

GCE O-level English _________

6. What language do you use in your gadgets such as hand phones and laptops?
English
Mandarin
Malay
Other (please state) : ___________________________.

28

SECTION B: Perception on English language

QUESTIONS

STRONGLY
AGREE

AGREE

NEUTRAL

DISAGREE

7. I think English is an interesting language to

learn.
8. English is easy language to understand.
9. English is a compulsory subject to be taught in
universities.
10. The syllabi help me to improve my English
communication skills.
11. Learning English help me in my future
workplace.
12. By doing presentations in English, I can
enhance my communication skills.
13. English is more important than other
languages.

Please write your responses or tick the appropriate boxes. Only one answer per
question.

14. I feel confident speaking in English.

YES
NO
If
NO,
please
state
your
reason:
___________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

15. I am willing to spend time and money to learn English in any other institutions than
MMU if MMU do not offer English courses?
YES
NO

29

STRONGLY
DISAGREE

If
NO,
please
state
your
reason:
___________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

16. Being proficient in English enhances or improves the image of an institution.

YES
NO
If NO, please state your reason:
___________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

17. What helps you improve your English communication skills?

Reading books
Conversation with people
Watching TV & listening to Radio
Others:____________

SECTION C: Overall Opinion

Please write your responses or tick the appropriate boxes. Only one answer per
question.
18. In a company, which department you think have to give priority to English?
Managements and Executives
Admin and Staffs
Manufacturing service support unit.
All of the above
19. Your assignment or performance of presentation will be affected if your English is poor.
YES
NO
20. Do you think English will help you in getting a better job opportunity in future?
YES
NO

30

Thank you very much for your time and

cooperation.

31