Students’ awareness of the importance of English language proficiency with regard to future employment

• Main Authors: Abdul Kadir, Kadzrina, Wan Mohd Noor, Wan Shakizah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: World Business Institute, Australia 2015
• Subjects: LB Theory and practice of education; PE English
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/21332/1/WRBR%205%203%202015%20259%20272.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/21332/; http://www.wrbrpapers.com/previous_issue/September/2015
• Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia

English language proficiency has an important impact on the opportunities of new graduates for employment.Thus, how could teachers of non-English languages assist in increasing English language proficiency? This study looks at the issue of English language proficiency of business major students from the perspective of business lecturers.This study uses a qualitative method through interviews with two focus groups consisting of nine business major students to investigate the awareness of business majors on the importance of English language proficiency for future employment. In addition, the barriers from the context of the university environment are also examined.The findings of this paper suggest that students have a medium level of awareness of the importance of English for job employment.In addition, the use of the national language during classes leads some students to take advantage in certain situations