Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the findings of a study on the language proficiency levels and needs among postgraduate students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia to later develop a course suitable to the levels and needs of the students based on the findings. The study employed a self-report needs analysis questionnaire administered to newly enrolled 171 postgraduate international students. These students were largely from the middle-eastern countries aged between 22 to 45 years old from various disciplines. Data collected were analyzed quantitatively and findings were presented in the form of descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that majority of the students’ proficiency levels were below the entry level of the university’s requirement. Where else the results of needs analysis showed that the most crucial language skills needed by the students are listening and speaking. Based on the findings suggestions and recommendations are made to meet the needs of the international postgraduate students in the university.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.