Application of Soft Systems Methodology in Defining Professional Communication Skills for Malaysian Graduates

Abstract

This paper investigates the usage of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) as an assessment tool for improving teaching and learning English in Malaysian higher education institutions (HEIs). In this study, the Malaysian stakeholders – industries, government agencies of Malaysia and HEIs – are the „interveners‟ who create the best solutions of the problematic situation of poor professional communication skills amongst the graduates. By using SSM, it is anticipated that stakeholders involved would reach a common ground in defining Professional Communication Skills (PCS), which will decrease the problem of skill mismatches. It is discovered that SSM was able to examine the requirement from all parties by offering them a proper and equal stage to voice out their opinion. It is believed that SSM can help instructors and policy makers of Malaysian HEIs in making a sound judgement in teaching PCS in classrooms, and help to develop our graduates‟ potential to be more marketable employees