CFL: CENTER OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE
EMPOWERING VOICES, ENRICHING MINDS
The minds behind this social business venture were Farhad Sharifi from Afghanistan, Abdullah Aiyash from Sri Lanka, Mohammad Abdi Mohammad and Abdilahi Abdi Mohammad from Somalia, and Tin Cherry Thinn from Myanmar. All four boys major in BBA (HRM), while Tin Cherry Thinn is pursuing her studies in BBA. It all began in 2023, when the founder of CFL, Farhad, observed the struggles of his peers in their last semester, desperately seeking internships but hindered by the language barrier.
He aimed to create a symbiotic relationship where CFL not only provided job opportunities to students but also served as a safe and conducive environment for language enthusiasts to pursue their passion. With the idea taking shape, Farhad sought guidance from key figures at the university, consulting with Associate Professor Dr. Suraya Hanim Mokhtar and the head of Zero Unemployment, Mr. Osaid. Their approval became the catalyst that propelled the CFL project into motion.
Eager to turn this vision into reality, Farhad diligently set out to assemble a team of like-minded individuals. Focusing on classmates and those with a shared passion for social business, he shared his vision and insights, sparking lengthy discussions that ultimately led to the formation of the CFL team on the memorable night of September 21, 2023.
He realised many students struggled due to their lack of Malay proficiency, hindering job market opportunities. Meanwhile, he noticed a growing interest in learning foreign languages like French, Japanese, Korean, and Malay. Inspired, Farhad embraced the concept of 'knocking two birds with one stone'.
CFL developed comprehensive solutions to foster a more inclusive community. Their initiatives include language programmes catering to diverse preferences, from online sessions to personalised 1-on-1 teaching. CFL’s Zero-Unemployment project creates part-time job opportunities tailored to individual needs, reducing unemployment while helping individuals meet the AIU 8-hour rule through flexible work schedules.
Collectively, these solutions reflect CFL's commitment to addressing the multifaceted needs of the campus community and fostering a more connected, employed, and empowered environment. Recognising the importance of selecting qualified individuals, CFL has devised a meticulous recruitment strategy tailored to ensure the highest standards in language education.
The recruitment process starts with sharing job postings on their official Instagram page and in university groups. The next step involves shortlisting candidates based on their qualifications, experience, and enthusiasm for teaching. The group invited the shortlisted candidates to conduct a teaching demonstration, where they led a class of 4 or 5 lecturers from various faculties within the university.
This method ensures a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate's teaching skills. The lecturers use an approved rubric to assess the candidates, adding an element of objectivity to the selection process. After the teaching session, the evaluators select 1 or 2 candidates with the best performance in teaching specific languages.
This rigorous process ensures that CFL employs teachers who possess linguistic expertise and exhibit effective teaching methodologies. Currently, CFL is focusing on recruiting from within Albukhary International University. Two students take Malay language classes, while another batch takes Japanese language classes. A forward-looking approach includes launching another Malay class tailored specifically for students heading into internships, aligning with CFL's commitment to addressing the university community's immediate language needs.
One of the significant achievements during this period was the successful recruitment of over 60 students for the Bahasa Melayu classes and more than 20 students for the Japanese language classes.
This demonstrated a high demand for language education and validated CFL's approach to addressing the diverse language needs of the student body.
Looking ahead, CFL envisions expanding its reach beyond the university campus, venturing into local communities across Alor Setar, Kedah, and ultimately, throughout Malaysia. This expansion underscores CFL's commitment to education and seeks to create employment opportunities, allowing individuals to share their language talents and earn a sustainable income
The future phases of the project will introduce French, Korean, Mandarin, and Arabic, enriching the linguistic offerings available to students and the broader community.
