The Academy of Language Studies (ALS) was established in 1972 for the purpose of co-ordinating the learning and teaching of English as a Second Language (ESL), as well as that of other Asian and European languages to all the students of UiTM. It was then known as the Language Centre.

Prior to this date, the teaching of these languages was decentralised according to the needs of different disciplines. With the setting up of this nerve centre, UiTM’s language curriculum was formulated to cater for the ever-growing number of students who need to be proficient not only in the English language, but also in a third language. This language competency gives UiTM students a competitive edge in the job market.

The Academy of Language Studies in Perak prides itself on having 53 lecturers, 33 in Seri Iskandar Campus and 19 in Tapah Campus.

There are two departments:

• Department of English Language and Linguistics
• Department of Asian and European Languages

 

The Department of English and Linguistics is the largest department in the Academy and caters to all the English language needs of the university. Apart from that, the English Language lecturers are also very involved in writing not only course materials and manuals, but also textbooks which are currently used by the students and staff of UiTM and other institutions of learning. The Department of Asian and European Languages caters to the need for third language courses which are Arabic and Mandarin language, by the university students and staff, as well as those requested by external organisations.

ALS is also actively involved in organizing short courses and conference such as International Conference on Education & Languages for Students and Adult Learners (ELSA). There are two SIGs under ALS UiTM Perak Branch which are Professional Editing, Proofreading and Translating (ProfEPT) and Coterie of Received Pronunciation in English Communication (CoRPiEC).

Besides that ALS UiTM Perak Branch has MUET Centre which provides platforms for students to take up MUET Test in UiTM Perak and conducts MUET workshop to candidates who want to pursue degree programme..

Various strategies and efforts have been taken by the ALS to fully support students through activities that could strengthen their language proficiency especially in listening, speaking, reading and writing. The activities include public speaking, debate, essay writing and seminar. At the same time, the ALS lecturers are actively taking part in planning and implementing activities that supplement student learning.

Academy of Language Studies was awarded the ISO 9001:2000 certificate on 16 April 2004, followed by a renewal certificate on 28 April 2007.