Language Needs of ICT Students in Malaysian Polytechnics

Abstract

This study investigates and come out with suggestions to engage the needs of the students, lecturers and industrial trainers. The findings promote better understanding of all the stakeholders thus are used to come out with suggestions to enhance the ESP programme practiced at polytechnics. The main research questions are: What are the language needs of ICT students and How to meet the needs of all the stakeholders. A case study is conducted and aimed to identify the language needs of students who are in the Information Technology Diploma programme. A mixed method research is opted to analyze the data. Mixed method research describes and explains the second language needs of the respondents. Qualitative and quantitative data is collected in phases and involved three types of respondents: diploma in ICT students, language and content lecturers and industrial trainers. The findings of this study may add knowledge in developing human capital in Malaysia especially in relation to English competency in ICT discipline.