Nalini Arumugam, (Associate Professor, Dr) | SEGi University (original) (raw)
Papers by Nalini Arumugam, (Associate Professor, Dr)
Journal of Language and Communication, 2024
This study investigates the perceptions of Malaysian undergraduate students regarding the use of ... more This study investigates the perceptions of Malaysian undergraduate students regarding the use of English songs as a tool for vocabulary acquisition. Through in-depth interviews with five undergraduate students in Malaysia, the study examines their experiences, insights, and reflections on utilising English songs to expand their vocabulary. Four prominent themes emerged from the analysis: subconscious word learning, learning of pronunciation and accent, vocabulary retention, and exposure to authentic English words. The results reveal that while listening to English songs undergraduate students in Malaysia improve their English language by learning new words, accent and improving pronunciation. Learners benefit from the autonomy to choose strategies they deem suitable for their learning, while also benefiting from teachers' guidance on various strategies to employ. The study concludes that there is a growing preference for engaging approaches such as using English songs, and providing students with an enjoyable and immersive way to learn vocabulary.
International Journal of Religion, 2024
This study evaluates the effects of the metacognitive pedagogical cycle on EFL learners' listenin... more This study evaluates the effects of the metacognitive pedagogical cycle on EFL learners' listening performance and their perceptions regarding the metacognitive pedagogical cycle. A total of 62 learners from two intact classes participated in this study based on the convenience sampling technique. One class was randomly selected as the experimental group (N=31), which received the metacognitive pedagogical cycle as the intervention, and the other class was the control group (N=31), which underwent the conventional approach. After 14 weeks of intervention, a listening test for TEM-4 was used to evaluate learners' listening comprehension performance, and a semi-structured interview was utilized to collect learners' attitudes toward the metacognitive pedagogical cycle. Results showed that learners in the experimental group outperformed learners in the control group regarding listening performance. Moreover, learners held positive attitudes toward the metacognitive pedagogical cycle. Furthermore, this metacognitive process-based approach to listening is recognized to have transferability beyond the second language classroom. At last, suggestions were made for implementing metacognitive instruction within the existing education system.
J o u r n a l o f S o c i a l S c i e n c e H u m a n i t i e s a n d L i t e r a t u r e, 2024
In recent years, the English teaching reform in higher vocational colleges in China has gradually... more In recent years, the English teaching reform in higher vocational colleges in China has gradually integrated heuristic teaching methods. However, a notable issue has emerged: students' deficiency in critical thinking skills. This study aims to enhance the critical thinking skills of higher vocational students in China through action research. The research includes four cycles of teaching practice to improve students' critical thinking ability in terms of analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and self-adjustment. Through the task design, the researcher promotes students' in-depth thinking and critical analysis in cross-cultural English classes. It was found that vocational students made noticeable progress in the 16-week training process, as reflected by the changes in interpretation and analysis abilities and attitudes towards culture. These results provide valuable experience and enlightenment for English teaching in higher vocational colleges and emphasise the importance of cultivating students' critical thinking ability to promote their development in academic and professional fields.
Effectiveness of the Production-oriented Approach on Improving EFL Learners’ Talk-as-Transaction Skills, 2024
Talk-as-Transaction is a major type of speaking skills. This pretest-posttest quasi-experimental ... more Talk-as-Transaction is a major type of speaking skills. This pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study attempted to investigate the teaching effectiveness of the Production-oriented Approach (POA) on improving EFL learners' Talk-as-Transaction skills. Comparisons of the experimental and control groups' pre-and post-test scores revealed: (1) the experimental and control groups did not significantly differ from each other in terms of pre-test complexity, accuracy, fluency, content scores; (2) significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups' post-test complexity, accuracy, and content scores; (3) the experimental group has significantly improved the complexity, accuracy, fluency, and content on the post-test than on the pre-test. Different effect sizes of the POA on different aspects of Talk-as-Transaction skills were also revealed. The results indicated the POA has the potential to solve the accuracy problem in teaching Talk-as-Transaction and to substantially enhance EFL learners' Talk-as-Transaction skills by promoting the content and complexity of their oral production.
A Multimodal Metaphor Analysis of WeChat Emoticon From the Perspective of Visual Grammar, 2024
The WeChat emoticon in China is a multimodal discourse comprising words, pictures, and other symb... more The WeChat emoticon in China is a multimodal discourse comprising words, pictures, and other symbols. It figuratively represents communication purposes using static symbols, such as words and images and dynamic symbols, such as animation, in synchronisation with both parties' perceptive abilities. This paper analyses the construction of multimodal metaphors with WeChat emoticons as the corpus, based on the three meta-functional theories of visual grammar and the concept of cognitive linguistics, to improve communicators' metaphorical understanding of emoticons and thus promote communication.
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
Akademi Pengajian Bahasa eBooks, 2021
Australian Journal of Career Development, 2021
This study applied a “moves analysis” approach to examine job application letters written by 25 M... more This study applied a “moves analysis” approach to examine job application letters written by 25 Malaysian graduates obtained from an outsourcing organisation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The letters were analysed as to whether they adhered to the seven aspects of the “moves structure” used to analyse job applications (i.e. establishing credentials, introducing candidate, detailing advantages, enclosing relevant documents, ending appropriately, offering incentives, and using pressure tactics). Additionally, interviews were held with five human resource managers from five different organisations. From the interviews, the managers emphasised that it was important that job application letters should contain at least five of the seven moves from the framework. The findings obtained revealed that Malaysian graduates employed five out of the seven strategies from the moves structure and had covered the basic format of the job application letter. Most applicants omitted Move 5 (using pressure...
International journal of religion, Jun 22, 2024
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
The study aims o find out the steps the Samsung organization took to resolve the exploding Galaxy... more The study aims o find out the steps the Samsung organization took to resolve the exploding Galaxy Note 7 issue and to identify the negotiation strategies adopted in the discussion. The study employed a qualitative method to analyse the content. The organisation recorded the step taken by Samsung in detail. The researchers extracted data from past studies and written online press release resources. The results showed that the Samsung organization took a fast and decisive response regarding their crisis. Moreover, integrative bargaining was used to negotiate between both parties. The customers are familiar with Samsung products as a brand and are therefore not seen as a predictor for post-crisis reputational damage. It has been concluded that Samsung organization employed well-planned crisis management strategies that proved its capability to deal with the crisis and restore its customer's trust in its product. The study concludes with the negotiation process and the actions taken concerning a crisis to provide healthy organizational crisis communication. Organizations can use this to implement a more effective strategy of crisis communication.
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
The study examines politeness strategies used by customers in raising issues and the negotiation ... more The study examines politeness strategies used by customers in raising issues and the negotiation strategies used by an organization to handle customers' problems in their official online discussion rooms. This qualitative study chose a mega-corporation technology organization's official discussion room. The researchers analyzed the discussions comprising questions, customer issues, and responses from the organization's personnel. 20 online customer complaints posted via discussions.apple.com were investigated using the components of politeness strategies and negotiation strategies used by the organization's personnel using the purposive sampling method. The results indicated the four politeness strategies used by the customers in the discussion room are apparent. The most frequent politeness strategy used by customers is positive politeness. Besides, it is also revealed that the four negotiation strategies from the responses of the organization's personnel in the discussion room are evident. The most frequent negotiation strategy used by the organization in handling the customers' issues is using a simple and accessible language strategy. The study concludes with recommendations on expanding the data sample and using other conventional online platforms in new areas for future studies of strategic politeness and negotiation in issue-solving.
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
This research project attempts to seek an analysis of the use of Twitter to acquire English langu... more This research project attempts to seek an analysis of the use of Twitter to acquire English language vocabulary for Foreign Language (EFL) international students who further their tertiary education in Malaysia. This research aims to study the role of Twitter in the vocabulary development of EFL learners at the university level and the perspectives of learners regarding the effectiveness of using Twitter as a language learning tool for vocabulary learning at the university level. Besides that, to validate the responses, this study also analyses the perceptions of EFL educators on the effect of traditional teaching methods and using Twitter in teaching vocabulary. The study used a quantitative research approach. It adopted two sets of questionnaires to collect data. Data and information from this study were obtained through questionnaires in Google Form and the use of SPSS software. The results found that most EFL learners agree that Twitter plays a vital role in the vocabulary development of EFL at the university level. Using Twitter as a language learning tool at the university level effectively promotes their vocabulary learning. It was also revealed that EFL educators prefer to utilize Twitter in teaching vocabulary, which is much more effective than traditional methods. However, a few learners perceived otherwise, stating that they tend to invest too much time in social media. The study concludes with recommendations for future research.
Akademi Pengajian Bahasa eBooks, 2021
Advanced Science Letters, 2018
Management and Technology in Knowledge, Service, Tourism & Hospitality, 2014
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2021
This research aims to study the perceptions of both public and healthcare providers in using an i... more This research aims to study the perceptions of both public and healthcare providers in using an integrated mobile healthcare App. This study adopted a mix-method to elicit data. A survey was administered among 150 members of the public and 40 medical experts. To validate the survey response, five representatives from the public and four from the service providers were interviewed. The results revealed that most of the respondents strongly approved to digitize their medical records using a mobile medical app in compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act as they believe that using mobile health apps to manage appointments, schedules, and notifications will improve patient safety. They also reckoned that building a one-stop medical App that will allow easy access to both patients and their health care providers. The semi-structured interview results concluded with five major themes; effective and efficient, accurate reports, easy access to medical reports, immediate access to healthcare and save time where the participants stressed about the significance of developing a mobile App in the medical field. Future study recommendations are made to develop and implement a healthcare mobile App to interconnect medical service providers and receivers.
Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal
Reading English is required for high school students to gain language proficiency, enhance their ... more Reading English is required for high school students to gain language proficiency, enhance their cultural awareness, and broaden their global perspective. This study incorporates the theory of multimodal discourse analysis into English reading teaching for high school students based on the principles of social semiotics and systemic functional linguistics. The results indicate that utilizing multimodal discourse analysis theory in high school English reading enhances students' focus in class and boosts their English reading scores. Additionally, it facilitates their comprehension of text information and establishes a solid basis for developing multiple literacies. Keywords: Multimodal discourse analysis theory; Senior high school; English reading teaching
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
Body shaming is the action of expressing humiliation about another individual's body shape or siz... more Body shaming is the action of expressing humiliation about another individual's body shape or size which can result in severe emotional trauma, especially at a young age. Body shaming is serious and gives huge negative effects on the physical and mental health of a person. This study aims to investigate the effects of body shaming on individuals in society. This study employed a quantitative method where a set of questionnaires regarding body shaming was distributed to members of the public randomly through social media. A total of 101 respondents responded to the questionnaire and it was further analysed by using SPSS software to find mean and standard deviation values. The findings show that respondents agreed that being fat, being skinny, and having bodyweight that is not in harmony with their height are the reasons why people body-shamed others. The findings further revealed that people felt distressed when others talked about their appearance. Many respondents also expressed that they are being treated differently and feel uneasy or embarrassed in public situations where other people are concentrating on their appearance. The results also showed self-compassion helps to cope with body shame by having more respect for themselves and feeling self-conscious about their appearance to be more confident with themselves. It is recommended to create awareness through social media on how body shaming affects an individual and ways to cope with being body-shamed by having more respect for themselves and feeling self-conscious about self-appearance. Therefore, future research needs to spread awareness to the public so that people will stop body shaming because it is very dangerous and could affect mental and physical health.
Journal of Language and Communication, 2024
This study investigates the perceptions of Malaysian undergraduate students regarding the use of ... more This study investigates the perceptions of Malaysian undergraduate students regarding the use of English songs as a tool for vocabulary acquisition. Through in-depth interviews with five undergraduate students in Malaysia, the study examines their experiences, insights, and reflections on utilising English songs to expand their vocabulary. Four prominent themes emerged from the analysis: subconscious word learning, learning of pronunciation and accent, vocabulary retention, and exposure to authentic English words. The results reveal that while listening to English songs undergraduate students in Malaysia improve their English language by learning new words, accent and improving pronunciation. Learners benefit from the autonomy to choose strategies they deem suitable for their learning, while also benefiting from teachers' guidance on various strategies to employ. The study concludes that there is a growing preference for engaging approaches such as using English songs, and providing students with an enjoyable and immersive way to learn vocabulary.
International Journal of Religion, 2024
This study evaluates the effects of the metacognitive pedagogical cycle on EFL learners' listenin... more This study evaluates the effects of the metacognitive pedagogical cycle on EFL learners' listening performance and their perceptions regarding the metacognitive pedagogical cycle. A total of 62 learners from two intact classes participated in this study based on the convenience sampling technique. One class was randomly selected as the experimental group (N=31), which received the metacognitive pedagogical cycle as the intervention, and the other class was the control group (N=31), which underwent the conventional approach. After 14 weeks of intervention, a listening test for TEM-4 was used to evaluate learners' listening comprehension performance, and a semi-structured interview was utilized to collect learners' attitudes toward the metacognitive pedagogical cycle. Results showed that learners in the experimental group outperformed learners in the control group regarding listening performance. Moreover, learners held positive attitudes toward the metacognitive pedagogical cycle. Furthermore, this metacognitive process-based approach to listening is recognized to have transferability beyond the second language classroom. At last, suggestions were made for implementing metacognitive instruction within the existing education system.
J o u r n a l o f S o c i a l S c i e n c e H u m a n i t i e s a n d L i t e r a t u r e, 2024
In recent years, the English teaching reform in higher vocational colleges in China has gradually... more In recent years, the English teaching reform in higher vocational colleges in China has gradually integrated heuristic teaching methods. However, a notable issue has emerged: students' deficiency in critical thinking skills. This study aims to enhance the critical thinking skills of higher vocational students in China through action research. The research includes four cycles of teaching practice to improve students' critical thinking ability in terms of analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and self-adjustment. Through the task design, the researcher promotes students' in-depth thinking and critical analysis in cross-cultural English classes. It was found that vocational students made noticeable progress in the 16-week training process, as reflected by the changes in interpretation and analysis abilities and attitudes towards culture. These results provide valuable experience and enlightenment for English teaching in higher vocational colleges and emphasise the importance of cultivating students' critical thinking ability to promote their development in academic and professional fields.
Effectiveness of the Production-oriented Approach on Improving EFL Learners’ Talk-as-Transaction Skills, 2024
Talk-as-Transaction is a major type of speaking skills. This pretest-posttest quasi-experimental ... more Talk-as-Transaction is a major type of speaking skills. This pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study attempted to investigate the teaching effectiveness of the Production-oriented Approach (POA) on improving EFL learners' Talk-as-Transaction skills. Comparisons of the experimental and control groups' pre-and post-test scores revealed: (1) the experimental and control groups did not significantly differ from each other in terms of pre-test complexity, accuracy, fluency, content scores; (2) significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups' post-test complexity, accuracy, and content scores; (3) the experimental group has significantly improved the complexity, accuracy, fluency, and content on the post-test than on the pre-test. Different effect sizes of the POA on different aspects of Talk-as-Transaction skills were also revealed. The results indicated the POA has the potential to solve the accuracy problem in teaching Talk-as-Transaction and to substantially enhance EFL learners' Talk-as-Transaction skills by promoting the content and complexity of their oral production.
A Multimodal Metaphor Analysis of WeChat Emoticon From the Perspective of Visual Grammar, 2024
The WeChat emoticon in China is a multimodal discourse comprising words, pictures, and other symb... more The WeChat emoticon in China is a multimodal discourse comprising words, pictures, and other symbols. It figuratively represents communication purposes using static symbols, such as words and images and dynamic symbols, such as animation, in synchronisation with both parties' perceptive abilities. This paper analyses the construction of multimodal metaphors with WeChat emoticons as the corpus, based on the three meta-functional theories of visual grammar and the concept of cognitive linguistics, to improve communicators' metaphorical understanding of emoticons and thus promote communication.
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
Akademi Pengajian Bahasa eBooks, 2021
Australian Journal of Career Development, 2021
This study applied a “moves analysis” approach to examine job application letters written by 25 M... more This study applied a “moves analysis” approach to examine job application letters written by 25 Malaysian graduates obtained from an outsourcing organisation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The letters were analysed as to whether they adhered to the seven aspects of the “moves structure” used to analyse job applications (i.e. establishing credentials, introducing candidate, detailing advantages, enclosing relevant documents, ending appropriately, offering incentives, and using pressure tactics). Additionally, interviews were held with five human resource managers from five different organisations. From the interviews, the managers emphasised that it was important that job application letters should contain at least five of the seven moves from the framework. The findings obtained revealed that Malaysian graduates employed five out of the seven strategies from the moves structure and had covered the basic format of the job application letter. Most applicants omitted Move 5 (using pressure...
International journal of religion, Jun 22, 2024
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
The study aims o find out the steps the Samsung organization took to resolve the exploding Galaxy... more The study aims o find out the steps the Samsung organization took to resolve the exploding Galaxy Note 7 issue and to identify the negotiation strategies adopted in the discussion. The study employed a qualitative method to analyse the content. The organisation recorded the step taken by Samsung in detail. The researchers extracted data from past studies and written online press release resources. The results showed that the Samsung organization took a fast and decisive response regarding their crisis. Moreover, integrative bargaining was used to negotiate between both parties. The customers are familiar with Samsung products as a brand and are therefore not seen as a predictor for post-crisis reputational damage. It has been concluded that Samsung organization employed well-planned crisis management strategies that proved its capability to deal with the crisis and restore its customer's trust in its product. The study concludes with the negotiation process and the actions taken concerning a crisis to provide healthy organizational crisis communication. Organizations can use this to implement a more effective strategy of crisis communication.
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
The study examines politeness strategies used by customers in raising issues and the negotiation ... more The study examines politeness strategies used by customers in raising issues and the negotiation strategies used by an organization to handle customers' problems in their official online discussion rooms. This qualitative study chose a mega-corporation technology organization's official discussion room. The researchers analyzed the discussions comprising questions, customer issues, and responses from the organization's personnel. 20 online customer complaints posted via discussions.apple.com were investigated using the components of politeness strategies and negotiation strategies used by the organization's personnel using the purposive sampling method. The results indicated the four politeness strategies used by the customers in the discussion room are apparent. The most frequent politeness strategy used by customers is positive politeness. Besides, it is also revealed that the four negotiation strategies from the responses of the organization's personnel in the discussion room are evident. The most frequent negotiation strategy used by the organization in handling the customers' issues is using a simple and accessible language strategy. The study concludes with recommendations on expanding the data sample and using other conventional online platforms in new areas for future studies of strategic politeness and negotiation in issue-solving.
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
This research project attempts to seek an analysis of the use of Twitter to acquire English langu... more This research project attempts to seek an analysis of the use of Twitter to acquire English language vocabulary for Foreign Language (EFL) international students who further their tertiary education in Malaysia. This research aims to study the role of Twitter in the vocabulary development of EFL learners at the university level and the perspectives of learners regarding the effectiveness of using Twitter as a language learning tool for vocabulary learning at the university level. Besides that, to validate the responses, this study also analyses the perceptions of EFL educators on the effect of traditional teaching methods and using Twitter in teaching vocabulary. The study used a quantitative research approach. It adopted two sets of questionnaires to collect data. Data and information from this study were obtained through questionnaires in Google Form and the use of SPSS software. The results found that most EFL learners agree that Twitter plays a vital role in the vocabulary development of EFL at the university level. Using Twitter as a language learning tool at the university level effectively promotes their vocabulary learning. It was also revealed that EFL educators prefer to utilize Twitter in teaching vocabulary, which is much more effective than traditional methods. However, a few learners perceived otherwise, stating that they tend to invest too much time in social media. The study concludes with recommendations for future research.
Akademi Pengajian Bahasa eBooks, 2021
Advanced Science Letters, 2018
Management and Technology in Knowledge, Service, Tourism & Hospitality, 2014
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2021
This research aims to study the perceptions of both public and healthcare providers in using an i... more This research aims to study the perceptions of both public and healthcare providers in using an integrated mobile healthcare App. This study adopted a mix-method to elicit data. A survey was administered among 150 members of the public and 40 medical experts. To validate the survey response, five representatives from the public and four from the service providers were interviewed. The results revealed that most of the respondents strongly approved to digitize their medical records using a mobile medical app in compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act as they believe that using mobile health apps to manage appointments, schedules, and notifications will improve patient safety. They also reckoned that building a one-stop medical App that will allow easy access to both patients and their health care providers. The semi-structured interview results concluded with five major themes; effective and efficient, accurate reports, easy access to medical reports, immediate access to healthcare and save time where the participants stressed about the significance of developing a mobile App in the medical field. Future study recommendations are made to develop and implement a healthcare mobile App to interconnect medical service providers and receivers.
Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal
Reading English is required for high school students to gain language proficiency, enhance their ... more Reading English is required for high school students to gain language proficiency, enhance their cultural awareness, and broaden their global perspective. This study incorporates the theory of multimodal discourse analysis into English reading teaching for high school students based on the principles of social semiotics and systemic functional linguistics. The results indicate that utilizing multimodal discourse analysis theory in high school English reading enhances students' focus in class and boosts their English reading scores. Additionally, it facilitates their comprehension of text information and establishes a solid basis for developing multiple literacies. Keywords: Multimodal discourse analysis theory; Senior high school; English reading teaching
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
Body shaming is the action of expressing humiliation about another individual's body shape or siz... more Body shaming is the action of expressing humiliation about another individual's body shape or size which can result in severe emotional trauma, especially at a young age. Body shaming is serious and gives huge negative effects on the physical and mental health of a person. This study aims to investigate the effects of body shaming on individuals in society. This study employed a quantitative method where a set of questionnaires regarding body shaming was distributed to members of the public randomly through social media. A total of 101 respondents responded to the questionnaire and it was further analysed by using SPSS software to find mean and standard deviation values. The findings show that respondents agreed that being fat, being skinny, and having bodyweight that is not in harmony with their height are the reasons why people body-shamed others. The findings further revealed that people felt distressed when others talked about their appearance. Many respondents also expressed that they are being treated differently and feel uneasy or embarrassed in public situations where other people are concentrating on their appearance. The results also showed self-compassion helps to cope with body shame by having more respect for themselves and feeling self-conscious about their appearance to be more confident with themselves. It is recommended to create awareness through social media on how body shaming affects an individual and ways to cope with being body-shamed by having more respect for themselves and feeling self-conscious about self-appearance. Therefore, future research needs to spread awareness to the public so that people will stop body shaming because it is very dangerous and could affect mental and physical health.