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English for Professional Communication

Assalamualaikum wbt
All praises to Allah SWT and His Messenger
Greetings readers!
As stated above, in this entry I would like to share about the course that I am taking at present. It is a course from the Academy of Language Studies at Universiti Teknologi Mara(UiTM). It is very rare to find people that know about this course.

Dialogue 1
A: Eh, what are you studying now?
Me: English for Prof Comm
A: ...........??? So, what is that actually?
Dialogue 2
A: Anyway, what are you taking now?
Me: Language studies
A: Oh.. TESL eh.
Me: .......................
or very very very rare,
Dialogue 3
A: What course did you take?
Me: English for Prof Comm
A: Ohh..ok.

As you see, this course is not as popular as others like law, engineering, medicine, dental, education and others, which everyone knows of. But, it is a fun and interesting course to learn. Believe me. And if you are really good in English, which I am still working on that, and you spend some time revising, InsyaAllah, not a problem for you to score 3.5 every semester.
EPC/ English for Professional Communication
In this course, students will learn about English, Communication and Business. Business because, this course has a minor in business. So, there will be some business subjects that students are going to learn.
During the first year, students will be exposed to basic English subjects such as Literature, Grammar, Academic writing, Language & Linguistics, Critical thinking and some others. Basic things but crucial as everything basic is always important and needed to be used in the future. And not forgetting, if you are a UiTM student, you will learn third language and it is compulsory. So, just take it as an opportunity rather than a burden coz if you take a third language course outside, the fee is usually extremely expensive! But here, you learn it for almost free. So, learn  it well.
In the second year, there are several others English subjects as well as subjects on communication. Students will learn Technical Writing, Professional communication, Sociolinguistics, Human communication also some business subjects such as Principles of Marketing and Principles of Management. Because the course is English for Professional Communication with minor in business, the business subjects that students will learn are only basic subjects to have ideas on what business is.
For the final year, students will learn more business subjects than English subjects. And the timetable will be packed, as it is the final semester before the students go for their internship during the sixth semester(the final semester).

Yes, the course offers a three year programme only :). It is great as you will be able to graduate early than the others as most courses nowadays offers four years of studies. And who knows, if you enjoy studying, you can proceed your master and later PhD. A doctor at such a young age. All the best!

Any inquiry, feel free to ask or visit our Akademi Pengajian Bahasa(APB) website, http://apb.uitm.edu.my/v1/ or visit UiTM official website to search more about this university, http://www.uitm.edu.my

Comments

Eha said…
hazreen...this is very useful.... hopefully people will know more about our program....English for professional communication is not tesl.
haz said…
haha..yah, I'm hoping the same too. It is a great course. let's bring APB to the centre of the world yah..!haha.
Yours said…
sorry to spoil the mood, but there are some spelling errors... hehe. opportunity and professional..
Unknown said…
how about the job prospect if we take this course? will the job hive us enough money to live our life and not to be recognized as 'miskin bandar'? I really want to know because Ive been applying this course.
haz said…
Hi Afiq,

At this era, I don't think there is such as not miskin bandar for us normal fresh grads. Basic salary would be in range of rm2k - rm3k just fya.

Job scope for this course, you can venture into comms world/department or any publishing/media house. Some of us graduates are also working with consultancy companies.
Daniel Pedersen said…
Hi there, thanks for enlightening us with your helpful description of the EPC programme. Not trying to spread hostility, just wanting to express my dissatisfaction after enduring the first semester of this course.Before going further with my version of review, I'd like to expose to you a little of my background. Prior taking EPC, I was doing foundation in law under KPTM and managed to get a relevant score that entitled me to enroll in law school. However, lady luck skipped my front door and I didn't make it to law school. Instead, the UPU offered me this course which was back then quite unknown to my knowledge. Left with no other choice plus with my financial shortage to enter a private law school, I made up my mind and ended up taking this course. I tried to get over the past and tried to enjoy my life in EPC. Everything was sweet during the first week but nightmares came to haunt starting from the second week. The biggest nightmare was the so-tight-you-can't-even-breathe schedule. Classes start very early in the morning and will only end late in the evening. Classes follow closely after one another leaving the students with no time for short break. Even worse, lectures and tutorials are compressed and lecturers are trying very hard to finish the syllabus ASAP leaving students with no time to allow themselves to establish a strong grasp of their lessons. I'd prefer if lectures and tutorials are separated. The second thing unpleasant about EPC is the humongous piles of homework. Lecturers hardly guide students in lessons but still have guts to supply tonnes of homework to students. Nevertheless, I still think homework is part and parcel of a student's life and who am I to question the importance of homework. But there's one thing that saddens me, homework submitted are poorly evaluated by lecturers. What's the point of burning the midnight oil doing your homework but when submitted, they receive poor response from the lecturers. Some lecturers even dared to alter the syllabus provided by the course providers, to be specific it happened to subject " Writing for Academic Research". The altered content made students writhing in despair as they could hardly find materials that matched with the lecturer's "ridiculous" expectations. I consulted with several other lecturers and they suggested me to bring this matter to the knowledge of the HEP but no feedback were given after complaints were made. Another matter I'd like to bring up is the facilities which I found very poor in terms of accessibility. Some classes are conducted at SAAS's Ninth Level as well as in Kenanga and APB main building on rare occasion. Why can't APB set its own permanent base so that students will no longer need to commute from one place to another? Students with vehicles also are also troubled due to the limited parking. I hope someone currently taking EPC or will be taking EPC in the future will help to forward these matters to the superiors. As for me, I no longer have any interest left for EPC. Waiting the exact time to make an exit from this programme. Those still interested with this programme please do not take my words too serious. If you are that keen to pursue EPC, just follow what your heart says. This is merely an expression from a chap who do not have any interest with EPC left with no choice but to accept this course halfheartedly.
Pls don't get offended. Kudos to the author who had successfully provided a little details about EPC when nobody had ever taken the chance.
Mieza Everdeen said…
Hi Hazreen, I just found your post and I'd like to say Hi to you, I was also a student of EPC batch 2011/2014 :) i wish i found your blog post earlier, hehe! I personally enjoyed my 3 years doing EPC and I never regretted any of it, except for flunking my Mandarin in sem.3 and it made me disqualified for ANC -_-''

I feel the need to comment as I personally found that Daniel's comment was slightly immature and it would be unfair if his comment prompted prospective students to pull off from applying for EPC. Classes at different buildings, lack of parking and poor facilities are not an excuse to make you feel demotivated to study. Next, Daniel mentioned about the schedule being a nightmare. During those 3 years, I was an exco (SMF), an APPLES representative, an archery athlete, and a blogger who always go for media events. Ironic to his comment, I consider myself quite successful despite all the non-academic things I signed up for. I guess it lies within yourself to be the best in whatever you do. Alas, complaining doesnt bring you anywhere. Classes early in the morning and ended up late evening, oh Lord, is that even a problem? -_- and I wish I could know who is the lecturer that poorly evaluated his assignment. As far as I know, APB has the best lecturers and they never took us students (and our assignments) for granted. I only had problem with a business lecturer, my classmate reported him and the business faculty said that lecturer is already on their watch list. Last but not least, as a degree student, Daniel should never expect any lecturer to spoonfeed him. It is university and not high school, wake up, the phrase "lecturers hardly guide students in lessons..." is not relevant at all. He should go and ask the lecturer, not waiting for a full guidance. Maybe he should listen to Dr.Dinna when she tells how her lecturer in UM taught them back then. Dr.Dinna said her lecturer came into class, write a word on the blackboard and he then sat down until the class ended. We students of this era should be grateful as our lecturers are actually more soft hearted.

Fuhh, this is so long but I think it is my right to justify what Daniel commented. I am not in any way hurt by his statements but I feel the need to rebut by explaining what a student should think like. Cheers!
Nurul Qamariah said…
Hi! If I may, can I have ur email adress to ask some enquiries regardingthis course? :)
Andy said…
Hi there, i'm expected to finish my diploma in English (UPSI) by this October. I got couple of questions to be asked, firstly, will there be any chance for me to apply for credit transfer if i get to enroll into this course? Secondly, does this course available for February intake? Thirdly , is there any possible scholarship offered for this course like JPA etc? Lastly, is it the same EPC as offered by UIA, USM & Unisza? Tq, I really hope for your response ASAP..
haz said…
Hi Daniel. Thanks for sharing your experience. Frankly, I had a great time doing EPC at APB. Wondering from which batch you were as during my time, the schedule are ok. Only a day or two were packed with classes till evening.
haz said…
Hi Mieza. Yup, noticed you and knew that you were among those active juniors. I was the same batch as Mai btw :). Feel free to share your thoughts. For me, i enjoyed my EPC years.
haz said…
I feel you on not getting ANC coz of Mandarin. But, i know u r a great student. All the best to you!
haz said…
Hi Qamariah. Sure, i'll help if i can. My email, hazreen791@yahoo.co.uk
haz said…
Hi Akid. I think it is best if u call APB's office to confirm. Am not too sure.
But, here are my replies. (1) dont think u can transfer credit hours. I think it is applicable for those from dip uitm sahaja. (2) yes. coz intake are from those who apply through UPU and UiTM. Like me, i applied through upu. (3) yes, u can apply any scholarship. My previous classmates were UTAR and JPA scholars. (4) other uni might offer the same course but i strongly feel that the subjects tought will not be the same. It depends on each uni. And the years of studies pun mungkin x sama. Uitm offers 3 years for this course.
Salam and hi , do you mind sharing the course outline / syllabus for this program. I want to compare with TESL program and see which one suits me better. If you are okay with that , can you pls email me at nazreenroslan@hotmail.com
Would really appreciate it. 🙂
Unknown said…
Hi, may I know your opinion on taking mandarin as your third language? im currently taking this course and im having trouble in which choices of third language should i choose. Thank you
haz said…
Hi @nazreen

I no longer have the syllabus with me. It's been a few years now.hehe. I recommend you to seek assistance by calling or email to APB uitm office. Good luck on choosing the best!
haz said…
Hi @piqoy

Great to know that you are taking EPC as well. During our batch, we were offered mandarin and arab.In my opinion, arab is a lil bit difficult to compare with mandarin. If you practice and read thru the text book a few times, you'll be ok in Ace-ing mandarin. Good luck!

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