BRIDGING THE SCHISM: A NEED ANALYSIS FOR A TERTIARY AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS MODULE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEMP.934032Keywords:
Employability, ESP, Need Analysis, SPM, TertiaryAbstract
The integration of university and career-specific skills development has become a focus in curriculum design, particularly in response to the demands of contemporary tertiary challenges and a globalized and skill-driven workforce. As such, a tailored curriculum requires a needs analysis to ensure that the course materials meet tertiary and industry expectations, and consequently, to ascertain students’ successful professional futures. Hence, a needs analysis was conducted to identify the skills required by SPM school leavers before embarking on a university education path or a career journey after tertiary education. However, this study focuses only on a portion of a larger needs analysis: the educators’ perceptions of the types of skills particularly English language skills that students require in their studies and in the workplace. Three teachers and three lecturers were interviewed. The findings highlighted five main structures that need to be integrated in the material development process: reading and writing, speaking and listening, grammar and vocabulary, technology and digital literacy and assessment and engagement. The study offers implications for module developers seeking to design comprehensive modules that polish the skills essential for success in tertiary education and future employment.
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