Needs assessment of workplace English and Malaysian graduates’ english language competency
Communication skills in English have been identified as essential workplace tools for success in business and have been correlated with career success and increased in financial rewards. Not with standing, there is a global concern regarding the widening gap between the communication skills in Eng...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IDOSI Publication
2013
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/30067/1/30067_5_Isarji_Workplace_English_88_to_94.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/30067/ http://www.idosi.org/wasj/online.htm |
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| Summary: | Communication skills in English have been identified as essential workplace tools for success in
business and have been correlated with career success and increased in financial rewards. Not with standing,
there is a global concern regarding the widening gap between the communication skills in English of job
applicants and the English language competency required for employment. This paper presents the findings
of a study to investigate the importance of English competency for employment and employers’ needs for an
English competency certification test. Data for the study were gathered from 295 companies representing 14
industry sectors using a 14-item survey questionnaire, focus group discussion and semi-structured interviews.
The findings of the study indicate that English was the most important language for employment;
English competency was assessed in the recruitment process by all industry sectors; and employers provided
in-house training programs to enhance employees’ English language competency. It was also found that
employers advocated the need for a valid, reliable, globally benchmarked and industry-driven English
competency certification test for non-native speakers of English. The paper concludes that due to the
competitiveness of the market environment, the test would provide the impetus for institutions of higher
learning to adequately prepare graduates with employability skills associated with communication skills in
English for the workplace. |
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