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 couldnt 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. Its 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.