Employer Expectations of Language at the Workplace

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the language skills and competencies which a group of university students need at the workplace and to investigate if their career needs are being met by the existing English language programmes at the university. Data for the analysis were gathered through a questionnaire survey of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) alumni and structured interviews with representatives of related industries. The findings of the study indicate that English is widely used in the organisations surveyed because workplace tasks and transactions are carried out in English. All the four skills of speaking, writing, reading and listening are required for these tasks. In view of this, it is essential for graduates to be proficient in English to secure employment as well as to perform efficiently at work. However, most of them experience difficulties carrying out everyday workplace tasks due to a lack of proficiency in and mastery of the language. Their problems lie mainly in the area of speaking and writing skills. It is thus recommended that English courses for the workplace include authentic materials which focus on speaking and writing skills.