#71, Article: ‘English and Employability’ by Dr. R. Kannan

ELTWeekly ISSN 0975-3036

Dr. R. Kannan works as an Assistant Professor with the Department of English at Fatima Michael College of Engg. & Technology, Madurai.

Preamble

English, being a global language, has occupied an unparallel position today.  As a result of this, learning English and acquiring skills in it is mandatory. English has touched upon every field of study. It is part and parcel of our day-to-day life.  People across the globe speak a number of languages. They felt for a common language to communicate internationally.  British ruled several nations in the world. Consequently, English made a footprint in those countries. This added advantage made English as the international language of the world. Majority of the people throughout the world speak English either as a first language or as a second language. Moreover, English has a rich vocabulary, cultural tradition and adoptability that make it a dominant and influential language.

English and Employability

Students who study English as a subject acquire a range of valuable skills, which they can transfer to many different employment situations. Their literary and linguistic training can be used in journalism, librarianship, teaching and the highly competitive fields of writing, acting and directing.

Through an English degree skills like the capacity to analyze and summarize material, to communicate, to work to a deadline, to argue a case, to work independently as well as collaboratively, to think logically and to be able to use computers, etc. will be acquired.

Good English graduates bring all these skills to their places of employment together with sensitivity to literature and language. This makes them good candidates for a wide range of careers including personnel, administration, management, marketing, computer science, technology, religion, philosophy, medicine, travel, finance and the media.

Employability can be described as ‘ a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that make graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen fields.

Blue chip companies, IT majors, MNCs and other major organizations expect excellent standard of communication skill in English. Keeping in mind the various slangs of different regions of the English speaking country, candidates are expected to be skilled to listen, understand, and speak in effective English. And so, proper training both in British and American accent is required. In software and other engineering services, the engineers are expected to read, understand and write in proper clear English.

The top ten skills needed for employability are:

1. Motivation and enthusiasm
2. Interpersonal skills
3. Team working
4. Oral communication
5. Flexibility and adaptability
6. Initiative/productivity
7. Problem solving
8. Planning and organisation
9. Managing own development
10. Written communication

Employers want intelligent, rounded people, who have a depth of understanding, since they can apply themselves, take responsibility and develop their role in the organisation. Employers also want graduate recruits who are educated and can demonstrate a wide range of attributes, apart from the traditional high-level academic abilities of analysis, reflection, critique and synthesis. They may want new recruits to add value rapidly. Employers wanted graduates because they can potentially do more than add value. Employability is enhanced by good learning, and can be incorporated without damaging the subject specific dimensions of learning. Most organizations expect that the potential employees to:

• Have a basic education (school / college education)
• Have an adequate level of academic achievement
• Possess strong literacy skills
• Communicate well
• Have Essential Skills such as Reading and Numeracy
• Have specific job-related knowledge and skills
• Have strong team work skills. Teamwork skills are the skills you need to work in teams and share roles, duties, and responsibilities with other who compliment your background and strengths
• Be flexible and adaptable within the work environment. Many jobs and careers demand continuous learning on-the-job and in formal programs, and expect people to be innovative
• Have strong interpersonal skills, positive outlooks, take responsibility and be accountable

Employees in the industry need all the four above said skills in different job assignments at different levels and assignments. Quite often even a new employee is sent to diverse countries where he will be expected to communicate with the employees of the customer company in English.

Summing up

Every occupation and profession has its own jargons and expressions, which practitioners will use. To cite one example, words and expressions used in aviation sector is not understandable to a layman. Technical jargons like Instrument Landing System (ILS), Instrument Guidance System (IGS), CAT2, CAT3, Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), and International Air Transport Association (IATA) are new to a common man. Unless one learns these words, understanding these jargons are not possible. Employers rate the ability to communicate well as the topmost skill among other skills. Therefore, develop the fundamental skills to keep work-life balanced while making a contribution in the workplace.