Journal Coverage

Scaffolding Language; Identifying Communicative Purposes: A Genre-Based Approach to Enhance Writing Vol 1 January 2014, 3-9 Ding Eng Na Full Text | Abstract This paper proposes an application of a genre-based approach to the teaching of writing. The aim is primarily to illustrate that structural scaffolding leads to a greater schematic awareness of text. By understanding the structural patterns of the target genres, learners will be able to achieve their communicative purpose as they will be aware of the linguistic features of the text type. The linguistic features are associated with the ‘moves’ as a way to overcome learners’ difficulties in writing appropriately and effectively. This paper demonstrates the notion of scaffolding which is represented in the teaching learning cycle by Martin, Christie and Rothery (1987). Sixty five (65) participants took part in this study and they were divided into experimental and control groups. The two groups were required to do a pre and a post test on text sequencing of an adjustment letter and a one-shot-post evaluation on writing an adjustment letter. The control group was taught the usual lecturing style while the experimental group was taught using the genre-based approach. The learners’ texts were evaluated using the Multiple Trait Scoring Assessment by Hamp-Lyons (2003) for content, structure and language while the ‘moves’ were analysed using the moves score designed by Henry and Roseberry (1998). Results indicated that learners from the experimental group exhibited great significant gains from the pre-test to the post test in specific rhetoric moves. The results from the one-shot post-treatment evaluation on writing an adjustment letter supported the findings that learners with explicit knowledge of the genre sharpen the learners’ awareness regarding the content, organization and language use to generate the target genre. Their knowledge of the moves associated with the target genre has enhanced their skills to write better.

Conceptualising the Lecturer as Customer: Establishing Principles Underpinning a New Model for Organising the Tourism, Hospitality and Events School, an Exploratory Paper Vol 4 July 2015, 22-36 Christopher W. Harris, Simon Pawson Full Text | Abstract Higher education has, under the influence of global political, economic, social and other forces, undergone significant change, the results of which include a higher demand for user pays education and the positioning of the student as customer within a system that more and more resembles a managed economy. The concurrent emergence of management cultures, commoditisation and casualisation of education challenges traditional concepts of the role and status of faculty and the academic community. Within Tourism, Hospitality and Events education (THE), itself a relatively recent arrival, faculty status is further complicated by broader questions of legitimacy and sustainability as reseachers continue to disagree on the very essence of the THE disipline and graduate. This paper seeks to develop the principles underpinning a new model of organising the THE School and its internal actors to negotiate these challenges and stake a claim within the new higher education market economy, advancing the debate between the traditional and the managerial approaches to higher education managament. Identifying through a review of the literature a consensus on the THE graduate as the service thinkerdoer, the paper then seeks to propose principles for organising the school that can best enable such a student to develop. The paper does this by identifing a gap in the approach of service marketing as hitherto applied to higher education; the paper uses an application of the ‘internal service blueprint’ to propose principles underpinning a model for realiging the institution around the core functions and missions of teaching, learning and research. Specifically, the lecturer is positioned as customer within the service blueprint and the student as service provider, an original exploration of the internal service blueprint within THE education.

Ethnographic Fieldwork at the Portuguese Settlement, Malacca Vol 7 January 2017, 21-34 Eileen Lee Full Text | Abstract Since the 1990s language endangerment which is defined as ‘en mass, often radical shift away from unique, local languages and language practices’ (Woodbury, 2011: 160) has gained tremendous attention in sociolinguistics. Accordingly, there has been a dynamic growth in the number of studies researching on the loss and shift of indigenous and minority languages around the globe. In the early millennium I undertook nine months fieldwork for my PhD thesis (Lee, 2004) which investigated on the phenomenon of language shift of Papia Kristang, the Portuguese creole spoken by the descendants of the Portuguese conquerors of Malacca in 1511. In this paper, I discuss the rationale for using the ethnographic approach to investigate language shift, the research design, namely, the research participants and the tools I employed and how I went about collecting data for my study, the experiences of being with the community and last but not least, what I have achieved conceptually and methodologically in carrying out the study vis-à-vis an ethnographic framework. As a conclusion to the sharing, I emphasised the rich experiences of my ethnographic journey at the Portuguese Settlement and expressed my gratitude to the community for the opportunity to metaphorically ‘eat, sleep and dance’ with them.

An Exploratory Study Of First-Year Culinary Students’ Adjustment To University Vol 8 July 2017, 32-40 Irene Tan Ai Lian Full Text | Abstract The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the first-year experience of culinary students at a private higher education institution in Malaysia. The research on first-year experience (FYE) of university students has evolved over the past decade in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. However, the FYE research among Malaysian students, especially on culinary students is scarce. Hence, it is important to investigate this phenomenon of students transitioning from the secondary school system to the university as the academic and social requirements and context of these two learning environments may differ. The lived experience of four culinary students in their first-semester of studies was qualitatively explored to determine their social and academic adjustments in the university. The themes that emerged include Approaches to Academic Adjustment, Approaches to Social Adjustment and the “moment” of transitioning as first-year university students.

The Crisis-Discourse Dialectic: Current Findings And Relevance For The Service Industry Vol 9 January 2018, 73-83 Antoon De Rycker Full Text | Abstract This article summarises some of the main strands in the critical discourse analysis of crisis published since 2013. Its archival research design has been limited in scope, however, to those projects in which the author himself was involved, either on his own or in collaboration with other discourse scholars. Through identifying and reviewing themes and topics within the crisis-discourse nexus, an attempt will be made to relate current findings to the emergence, development and resolution of crises in the service industries. Our review shows that conceptualising crisis as a social practice rather than as a turning point, disruptive event or ubiquitous, never-ending process may enrich current interpretations of the role of crisis in society. Moreover, when viewed from within a structureagency perspective, a focus on the discursive co-construction of crisis as social practice highlights choice and control over inertia and concomitant trauma. The study concludes with a tentative, broad-brush consideration of how these insights may inform crisis management in the tertiary sector.

The Role Of Social Media On Employee Communication And Empowerment Vol 10 July 2018, 44-59 Devina Christiana Full Text | Abstract Social media platforms can be used to transform the communication process for both individuals and organizations. These platforms have eased the communication and sharing process inside organizations. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research is to discover the experiences of respondents in using social media in their respective organizations. Their input is crucial to gain a better understanding about the role of social media on employees’ communication and empowerment. Generation Y entry-level employees were the purposeful sample of this study. They widely use social media in the workplace and are able to provide insights on social media’s functions in an organizations’ communication and employee’s empowerment. The data were collected through interview sessions, which were then analyzed with a constant comparative analysis technique. Six themes emerged from the data. These six themes are: Social Media as a Communication Bridge, Social Media as a Global Communication Platform, Social Media as a Global Knowledge Sharing Platform, Social Media in Building Employee Network and Collaboration, Social Media Encouraging Continuous Learning from Diverse Resources, and Social Media in Developing Employee’s Empowerment.

Choice Of Language Learning Strategies: A Case Study Of Proficient And Less Proficient EFL Students In The Development Of Speaking Skills Of An Intensive English Programme Vol 10 July 2018, 96 -107 Ong Su Sien, Dorcas Lam Yarn Pooi, Persis Dineen Rodrigues Full Text | Abstract DLanguage instructors continuously look for various methods to support the learners’ development of speaking skills. With this challenge in mind, it is important for both language learners and instructors to find out the most effective language learning strategies. This study aims to explore the choice of language learning strategies employed by both proficient and less proficient EFL students in the development of speaking skills within a 12-week Intensive English Programme (IVEP). A total of 10 learners from Pre-Intermediate level participated in this research. Questionnaire was used as a quantitative method to find out the selection of language learning strategies employed by both groups in the development of speaking skills. Interview was employed as a qualitative method to explore reasons why specific language learning strategies were chosen. The findings show that social strategies were frequently employed by both proficient and less proficient EFL learners. Other contributing factors such as the types of speaking task and instrumental motivation had great impact on the selections of language learning strategies among the learners. This research indicates that the choice of language learning strategies is mainly determined by the nature of the speaking tasks.

The Wolf Warrior Crusade: Potential And Challenges For Chinese Films In Malaysia Vol 13 January 2020, 21-28 Mohd. Amir Mat Omar, Loo Yin Hui Full Text | Abstract China is fast becoming a global power to be reckoned with in various industries. However, for Chinese films in Malaysia, it seems to still be rather bleak compared to its television counterparts. Nevertheless, judging by the performance of Wolf Warrior 2, there seems to be a lot of potential waiting to be unleashed. This paper is an overview of the current situation of Chinese films in Malaysia, the challenges they face as well as opportunities to look forward to in order for Chinese films to prosper in this country. This paper looks into the impact of audiences, content development and government regulations in both countries in order to get a glimpse into possible further studies and the search for solutions that benefit both nations. It is a crusade for Chinese film producers as well as a craving for Malaysian audiences who want appealing and enjoyable film content. If Chinese television content has made it, then why not its films?

Determinants Of Wetland Birdwatching Tourism: A Study At Huanggang City, China Vol 14 July 2020, 61-76 Chen Li Jun, Yang Yu Lan, Mao Jia Qin, Chen Cui, Chung Jee Fenn Full Text | Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate factors influencing the decision-making of the actual wetland birdwatching tourists in Huanggang City, China. Based on the previous literatures, all the influencing factors were categorised into three groups, namely industrial factors, social factors and personal factors. This study employed the Factor Analysis as the main data analysis method. By utilising purposive sampling method, a total of 419 tourists participated in this study. The results showed that the overall quality and social level of wetland birdwatchers in Huanggang City is high, however the consumption level is low. The main influencing factors of birdwatching decision are attraction of scenic spots, family members, traffic conditions, interests and hobbies. Through factor analysis, the 16 influential factors of birdwatching decision were divided into 3 dimensions: industry, society and individual. Based on the findings of this study, the following countermeasures and suggestions were provided: stimulate interest and hobbies, form local dependence and identity, encourage the wide participation of all walks of life, turn birdwatching into tourism fashion, perfect infrastructure construction and improve tourism service level.

The Impact Of Industrial Revolution 4.0 On Television Content Production And Broadcasting In Malaysia: Challenges And Opportunities. Vol 15 January 2021, 25-36 Raja Ridzuan Bin Raja Azhar. Full Text | Abstract Recent developments in Industrial Revolution 4.0 – or IR 4.0 for short – are forcing broadcasters in Malaysia to either adapt or die. Archiving broadcast content and production workflow, especially, are critical to the transition to a digital broadcast environment. Obstacles to resource expansion, however, have resulted in the loss of opportunity among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), both broadcasters and vendors. Large amounts of content require metadata that follow new quality control (QC) standards compliant to recent IR 4.0 developments. The current study aims to find out (1) what IR 4.0 developments create obstacles for broadcasters, (2) the reasons why vendors face content production issues, and (3) the ways in which metadata features may facilitate the content production process. In this exploratory research, the methodology consists in face-to-face interviews with broadcasters, content providers and vendors, participant observation and content analysis at production operation centres and production houses; the combination of these research methods offers a deep understanding of the major issues. The main finding centres on the need for a set of recognisable metadata and quality control criteria – facilitated by artificial intelligence –as an additional feature of a broadcaster’s media management system (MAM). These criteria will reduce the reliance on human decision-making and help overcome the obstacles that currently beset the gatekeeping process.