FAKULTI PENDIDIKAN DAN BAHASA

OUMH2203

ENGLISH FOR WORKPLACE

NAMA : HARIMA BINTI SARAKIL

NOMBOR MATRIK : 700508125582001

NO KAD PENGENALAN : 700508-12-558

NO. H/P : 019-8034995

PUSAT PEMBELAJARAN : OUM CAWANGAN TAWAU

JANUARI 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The role of English language is important for communication between people especially in

higher institutions and businesses in Malaysia. Since English is the second language in

Malaysia, the concentration is on generating learners with the ability to communicate

effectively in different social and professional contexts. Currently in Malaysia,

communication skills play the fundamental role at workplace situations. The

importance of communication skills is significant in the management sector as stated in

different job advertisements. Without efficient communication skills in the management

sector, a manager would never achieve success.

Language which all graduates should possess to guarantee that they can function efficiently at

the workplace. Realising that this critical soft skill increases higher institutions in Malaysia

are gearing their efforts toward improving the oral communication skills of their

undergraduates. In the context of workplace communication, having good communication

skills is the way to success and that good communication skills are seen as fundamental and

an additional advantage. In the perspective of Stivers, oral communication skill in English is

an important skill for managers to possess in order to carry out tasks efficiently at the

workplace.

In a study by Kasim and Ali, the significant role of oral communication skills in multinational

companies was reported by between 71 to 80 percent of the respondents. They ranked the

usage of oral communication skills in multinational companies as follows; telephone

conversation, informal work related discussions, meetings, giving oral presentations,

explaining and demonstrating to subordinates and other colleagues. Higher Institutions in

Malaysia are seeking to generate creative managers in different fields to meet the needs of

thriving resources in various situations. In fact, at present, one of the key objectives

in

Malaysian higher institutions is to generate large number of graduates with high

ability to communicate effectively at the workplace. To achieve this goal, higher

institutions are attempting to design language programs with a focus on communicative

skills. In recent years, the importance of equipping employers with good oral

communication skills in English has grown with the demanding nature of current

workplace communication. Stevens reported that employers believed that a low

proficiency language skill was a difficult factor for employment.

He also maintained that many students with low proficiency English language skill in the

workplace contexts, employees need oral communication skills in English language to

be successful in their jobs as they must carry out different communicative tasks such as

presentations, meetings and negotiations. According to Blair and Jeanson, a high

proficiency in English language, especially in oral communication skills would be

valuable to solve different problems that take place in workplace situations.

Unfortunately, according to Smith, despite the professional and formal training given to

students and graduates, there is still a skill gap in workplace situations. It is mentioned

that there are significant gaps between the expectations of industries and what the

universities offer to the students.

Thus, in this assignment, the issues with communication in English in the workplace

especially when it comes to business-related matters will be discussed thoroughly. In this

matter, there are some people whose able to write well in English but not in communicating.

There are some possible causes to this situation such as lack of confidence, lack of practice

and lack of knowledge.

2.0 CONTENT

2.1 PRESENT SITUATION

Communication skills especially in English is extremely important when someone entered a

working world. This is because, English is the second language that we use to communicate

with foreigner. In working context, the foreigner could become the customers, shareholders,

suppliers and so on. Thus, if we could not speak well in English, it will become barriers to

our career.

Many employees nowadays are able to write in English. But not when come to communicate

in English. Based on my own experience when interviewing for a position in the company I

worked for. Her resume was written in English and the grammar and vocabulary are all

excellent. My first perception towards her was she is able to speak in English fluently. My

first question to her was, “Tell us about yourself”. She looked confuse and nervous. That

moment I knew, she couldn’t speak in English fluently and lack of confidence.

There are several causes to this problem, such as lack of confidence, lack of practice and lack

of knowledge.

2.2 THE CAUSES

2.2.1 Lack of Confidence

If you feel nervous when speaking English, the people to whom you speak will be aware of

your confidence problem. Your lack of confidence will be observed either consciously or

unconsciously and in both instances, your perceived lack of confidence will affect how other

people choose to interact with you. In this post I discuss the impact an observable lack of

confidence has on the business associates and colleagues to whom you speak to in English.

In a professional context, it is important to communicate a feeling of self-assurance at all

times. You will not be taken seriously by colleagues or potential business partners, if you do

not seem sure of yourself. Furthermore, other people will seek to dominate you – they will

interrupt you and speak over you. When this occurs, you are not able to argue your point and

get the best results for your company or project. Once a loss of confidence has occurred when

speaking English, it can be an uphill struggle to recover and feel confident again.

Most people feel a little anxious or nervous when they have to deliver a presentation to a

large audience, a big room full of people. The palms of their hands begin to sweat and they

begin to breathe at a faster rate. For some unfortunate people with serious confidence issues,

every occasion where English is spoken causes significant anxiety – it can be as stressful as

speaking in front of a thousand people. Even everyday conversation about familiar topics is a

challenge for people with confidence problems. You suddenly forget all your vocabulary, and

every word comes out as a stutter. You feel so embarrassed to be speaking like a child,

especially because you do actually know the words and what you want to say. It’s just that

the words refuse to come to you in your moment of panic.

2.2.2 Lack of Practice

Speaking in English requires practice. If we are living in a surrounding which rarely used

English as communicating language, it will affect our skills.