ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AMONG AVIATION MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

The occurrence of various aviation maintenance incidents in Malaysia has been linked to the decline in English language competency among local aviation maintenance personnel. In view of this, an online survey has been conducted among 38 maintenance personnel in Malaysia to establish the level of use and importance of English language while performing their tasks. It is inferred that most essential activities involved in performing the aviation maintenance tasks substantially require the use of English language. Overall, the findings indicate that English language proficiency is highly necessary for aviation maintenance personnel to be competent in their job. English language is highly applied in the execution of local aviation maintenance tasks such as for communication, manuals reading and report writing. In essence, the findings greatly support the enforcement of the additional English language requirements by the local authority for aviation maintenance personnel in Malaysia.