Almira Agwinanda, Dian Yuni Pamuji, Ria Riski Marsuki

Enhancing Mandarin Speaking Skills through Job Interview Simulations for Students in the MBKM MSIB Selection Program

Introduction

Enhancing mandarin speaking skills through job interview simulations for students in the mbkm msib selection program. Improve Mandarin speaking skills for MBKM MSIB selection using job interview simulations. This study shows significant gains in fluency & contextual understanding.

Abstract

This study aims to explore and measure the effectiveness of instructional materials based on job interview simulations in improving students’ Mandarin speaking skills, particularly as a systematic and contextual preparation for the selection process of the Certified Internship and Independent Study Program (MSIB) under the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) scheme. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques. Qualitative data were collected through classroom observation and students’ verbal responses during simulations, while quantitative data were obtained from pretests and posttests. Initial findings showed that students struggled to comprehend interview questions and provide coherent, appropriate answers. After the simulation sessions, significant improvements were observed in fluency, word choice, intonation, and contextual understanding and response. These results emphasize the urgency of integrating simulation-based learning into Mandarin speaking instruction to prepare students for professional communication in the workplace. This article recommends applying a similar model in other foreign language programs and suggests the development of interactive and adaptive digital instructional resources.

Review

This study, titled "Enhancing Mandarin Speaking Skills through Job Interview Simulations for Students in the MBKM MSIB Selection Program," presents a timely and highly relevant investigation into a practical pedagogical approach. The authors effectively set out to explore and measure the impact of job interview simulations on students’ Mandarin speaking skills, specifically in preparation for the demanding MBKM MSIB selection process. The mixed-method approach, combining qualitative observations of student responses with quantitative pretest and posttest data, provides a robust framework for assessing the intervention's effectiveness. The initial identification of student struggles in comprehension and coherent answering highlights a critical gap addressed by the study, making the reported significant improvements in fluency, word choice, intonation, and contextual understanding particularly impactful. A notable strength of this research lies in its immediate applicability and focus on a specific, high-stakes professional context, directly linking language acquisition to career readiness. This practical orientation lends considerable weight to the findings, underscoring the value of experiential learning in language education. While the abstract clearly indicates "significant improvements," a more detailed exposition of the quantitative data, such as specific statistical measures, effect sizes, or the sample size, would further solidify the claims of effectiveness. Additionally, information regarding the duration of the simulation sessions and the criteria used to evaluate improvements would enhance the study's replicability and generalizability. The findings compellingly argue for the urgent integration of simulation-based learning into foreign language curricula to better prepare students for professional communication. The study's implications extend beyond Mandarin instruction, offering a valuable model that could be adapted for other foreign language programs with similar professional communication objectives. The authors' recommendations for developing interactive and adaptive digital instructional resources are particularly forward-looking, suggesting avenues for scaling and refining such pedagogical interventions in an increasingly digital educational landscape. Overall, this article makes a strong case for practical, context-specific language instruction, offering valuable insights for educators and program developers alike.

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