Norishah Isahak.
What was your IRK & Human Sciences major in IIUM?
English Language & Literature.
What is your Current Position & Company?
Assistant Lecturer at UniKL MIAT (Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology)
What are your responsibilities & achievements at this current position?
- Teaching Aviation English to diploma level students
- Prepare and ensure the syllabus and curriculum are MQA and DCA compliant
- Prepare and grade course works and exams
- Compile reports on grades
- Organizing students activities under Students' Development and Campus Lifestyle department
- Consultation /training and etc. tailor-made courses to the aviation and non-aviation industry in Aviation English, Business Communication, English as a Second language etc.
- A certified ICAO English Language Proficiency rater for pilots and air traffic controllers
- Other tasks given by the big boss of course :), coordinating events, participating or organizing conferences /seminars, give talks at schools, emceeing etc.
Please share your work history, companies you've worked for, your responsibilities in each role and your achievements in those roles
Been teaching in UniKL MIAT for 12+ years. Definitely a learning curve because Aviation terms and jargons are not easy. In order to teach this type of English (English for Occupational Purposes ) I had to go through materials like aircraft manuals, aviation textbooks, endure Aviation classes and be willing to learn from both the industry's experts and also your own students. But industrial visits are the best since you're privy to hangars, workshops and aircraft maintenance areas that you wouldn't be able to have glimpse of.
One of the best achievements would be is to be a certified ICAO English Language Proficiency rater. All pilots and air traffic controllers (there's a BENL friend of mine who is an air traffic controller) are required by ICAO to have a level 4 of English language according to the standard they have set. If lower, 3< level would mean they'll be grounded (pulled out from roster until they pass a level 4-6).
A career in education needs passion and hard work because it's upon your shoulders to mold the future of the country or other countries. You have to enjoy your time because that will show through the way you teach. Improving your knowledge and acquiring a higher level of qualification is a must if you want to proceed to the top of the ladder.
A career in education needs passion and hard work because it's upon your shoulders to mold the future of the country or other countries. You have to enjoy your time because that will show through the way you teach. Improving your knowledge and acquiring a higher level of qualification is a must if you want to proceed to the top of the ladder.
What are some of the challenges you faced as a IRK & Human Sciences student while you were studying at IIUM?
Challenges in the form of misunderstanding and labelling of being BENL students. To know is to love :)
Besides this, it was the difficulty to adapt to a different style of learning and teaching when it's non-English subjects. For example, learning hadiths were difficult for me because I understood the gist or the essence of the hadith, but literally memorizing the hadiths verbatim was a huge challenge.
I also had a hard time finding a career for myself because unlike other courses which prepares one to be a professional, BENL is not. Most of us found our careers through trials and tribulations. In my circle of BENL bff's I have a beauty and features editor of a cosmopolitan magazine, a corporate communications executive, an assistant district officer, air traffic controller, a librarian, a freelance translator, a businesswoman and the list goes on. But we can also see it this way, our degree is so flexible that we can actually be whatever we wanted to be and not be stuck to the restraints of our qualification.
Besides this, it was the difficulty to adapt to a different style of learning and teaching when it's non-English subjects. For example, learning hadiths were difficult for me because I understood the gist or the essence of the hadith, but literally memorizing the hadiths verbatim was a huge challenge.
I also had a hard time finding a career for myself because unlike other courses which prepares one to be a professional, BENL is not. Most of us found our careers through trials and tribulations. In my circle of BENL bff's I have a beauty and features editor of a cosmopolitan magazine, a corporate communications executive, an assistant district officer, air traffic controller, a librarian, a freelance translator, a businesswoman and the list goes on. But we can also see it this way, our degree is so flexible that we can actually be whatever we wanted to be and not be stuck to the restraints of our qualification.
What are some of the challenges you faced as a fresh graduate?
Finding a job. A suitable and comfortable job. My dream job. :)
I graduated during an economic downturn where beggars can't be choosers. So, whatever job that came along, I took it because what was important for me was not to be unemployed. I wanted to help out my family because I'm the eldest.
Good things never comes a-rolling free so persevere and tawakkal to the Almighty. InsyaAllah.
I graduated during an economic downturn where beggars can't be choosers. So, whatever job that came along, I took it because what was important for me was not to be unemployed. I wanted to help out my family because I'm the eldest.
Good things never comes a-rolling free so persevere and tawakkal to the Almighty. InsyaAllah.
What advice would you give to IRK & Human Sciences students seeking to pursue careers using their qualifications?
Develop your people skill and languages. Being able to communicate and work well with people will get you a long way. Fluency in English is a given and plus mark if you know more.
Also polish your written and listening skills besides your speaking.
Everything is about applying your knowledge not trying to spew out what you memorize. Who is going to ask you why Swift wrote Gulliver's Travel but the lesson you learnt about Utopian government, the love of gold and political struggle of the big vs small powers might give you a better insight on what is happening around you today.
Also polish your written and listening skills besides your speaking.
Everything is about applying your knowledge not trying to spew out what you memorize. Who is going to ask you why Swift wrote Gulliver's Travel but the lesson you learnt about Utopian government, the love of gold and political struggle of the big vs small powers might give you a better insight on what is happening around you today.
What else would you like to tell the IRK & Human Sciences students currently studying at IIUM?
Enjoy your university years and make good friends because I sure did. Balance your study, social and family well so that you will have them even after you graduate.
Learn how to be responsible but don't forget to be reckless when it counts.
Learn how to be responsible but don't forget to be reckless when it counts.
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