CML UMPSA WELCOMES LRVTC CHINA STUDENTS FOR VOCATIONAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME

PEKAN, 5 August 2026 – The Centre for Modern Languages (CML) at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) officially launched its Language and Vocational Skills Short-Term Training Programme today, hosting its first cohort of 20 students from Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College (LRVTC), Guangxi, China.

Initiated by UMPSA’s Centre for Academic Collaboration and Mobility (CACM), the programme provides a valuable platform for CML to highlight its expertise in specialised language instruction, cross-cultural pedagogy, and communication training.

The module was designed and delivered by CML language instructors Abdul Jalil Abdul Rahim and Dr. Siti Norzaimalina Abd Majid. Spread across five weekly sessions, the training initiative will welcome a fresh group of 20 students each week, providing a total of 100 international participants with immersive exposure to functional English and Malaysian cultural heritage.

The opening session focused on practical, conversational communication by encouraging students to explore daily dining habits, meal schedules, and local delicacies. Working in interactive groups, participants used descriptive vocabulary to compare food cultures in China and Malaysia, while gaining an appreciation for scrumptious traditional festive foods such as rendang, yee sang, thali, and many more.

A central highlight of the session was the hands-on ketupat ribbon weaving workshop. Guided step-by-step through the craft, students put their language learning into immediate practice by listening to and using English action verbs—such as weave, wrap, go over, go under, pull, and fold—to successfully weave their ketupat casings.

Escorting teachers Cindy and Waylan highlighted that pairing hands-on craft activities with conversational practice helped students overcome language barriers and speak more naturally. The informal and supportive classroom atmosphere allowed the Chinese participants to express themselves with confidence throughout the interactive tasks.

Overall, the initiative highlights CML UMPSA’s commitment to delivering innovative, activity-based language learning that bridges cultural gaps. The remaining four student cohorts are scheduled to participate in their respective weekly sessions throughout the month.

Prepared by: Abdul Jalil Abdul Rahim & Dr. Siti Norzaimalina Abd Majid