Scribd
Upload
218 views

Assignment Eng For Workplace Communication

Strong communication skills, especially in English, are important for success in Malaysia and globally. While English is not an official language in Malaysia, it remains important for international exchange and many jobs. However, not all Malaysians are able to communicate effectively in English due to linguistic and socio-cultural barriers. Employers can help employees improve their English communication skills through initiatives like translating documents, using interpreters, and language classes. Repetition and visual aids can also help non-native English speakers learn new concepts. Competence in English is now required for many public and private sector jobs in Malaysia.

Uploaded by

ROBIYAH BINTI BACO Moe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
218 views

Assignment Eng For Workplace Communication

Strong communication skills, especially in English, are important for success in Malaysia and globally. While English is not an official language in Malaysia, it remains important for international exchange and many jobs. However, not all Malaysians are able to communicate effectively in English due to linguistic and socio-cultural barriers. Employers can help employees improve their English communication skills through initiatives like translating documents, using interpreters, and language classes. Repetition and visual aids can also help non-native English speakers learn new concepts. Competence in English is now required for many public and private sector jobs in Malaysia.

Uploaded by

ROBIYAH BINTI BACO Moe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Strong communication skills are one of the skills that often required not only by employee in

Malaysia nowadays, but also in other countries. According to the Oxford Dictionary of
Current English (Moore, 1997), communication can be defined as the activity or process of
expressing ideas and feelings or of giving people information. Effective communication skills
are fundamental to success in many aspects of life. Jobs requirement nowadays require strong
communication skills and socially people with high communication skills usually enjoy better
interpersonal relationship not only with their family and friends but also with the society.

In Malaysia, English language is an important second language. Although it is not


considered as official language used in this country, it still has a special status in Malaysia
and it continues to be taught in schools and institutions. Even though the uses of English are
superseded in public administration and education system by Bahasa Malaysia, English still
has been chosen as preferred language in other domains in the public sector. Furthermore, it
remains easily accessible to all Malaysian through the popular forms of the printed and
electronic media, films and television, all of which are widely available in Malaysia as part of
the persuasive effects of the universal culture of globalization (Asmah, 1996).

Due to fact that English is the second most important language in Malaysia and
widely used in daily communication, therefore the ability to communicate in English is
needed as an essential skill especially when there is international exchange happens, thus the
use of spoken English entails. However, not all Malaysian were able to communicate in
English at their workplace, especially when it comes to business-related matters. It is not an
easy task for people who use English as second language to be able to speak to the level of a
native speaker. They need to perfectly understand the sound system of English, possess good
vocabulary and able to use words together intelligibly without hesitation. They also have to
perceive what is being said to them and need to be able to respond appropriately to
accomplish their communicative goals (Luoma, 2004). Therefore, Malaysian who is mostly
non-native English speakers encounters these language barriers as they tend to make mistakes
often not only in oral communication but also during writing.
In relation to this matter, there are two general factors that identified as factors that
affect Malaysian to communicate in English which are socio-cultural factors as well as
linguistic factors. The first factor is mostly about cultural aspects, which include history and
worldview (ideology), socialisation, non-verbal communication as well as social organisation
(Scollon, 1995). According to Barraja-Rohan (2003), socio-cultural elements such as
verbosity, approaches to interpersonal relationships (including proxemics, greetings,
compliments, self-deprecation and small talk) and politeness (including directness and
indirectness) may affect communication. The second type which is linguistic factors
commonly refers to the elements of English as a language itself. These include the grammar
part, vocabulary and sound systems (Robinett, 1978). To conclude, fluent English speaker is
when the speaker is completely aware of not only the linguistic aspect of the language, but
also the social and cultural context that used in the language itself. Due to this, mostly non-
native speaker who are not accustomed to English speaking environment are frequently
challenged with English communication.

In order to investigate the languages used and patterns of interactions in the


government and private sectors in Malaysia, a few studies had been carried out such as by
examine the support staff’s need to use English in a principally Malay organization, and how
they dealt with English language demands or the workplace (Ting,2002). Based on the
research, it show that the support staff faced difficulties when communicating in English with
the public due to their work background which did not require them to use English either in
reading or writing. Thus, to cope with this issue, it is necessary to emphasize the teaching of
English oral communication skills in schools to students who may wish to apply the
workforce as support staff, so that they have adequate knowledge for basic communication in
the language.

Briguglio (2003) examined the use of English as a global language in two


multinational companies in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. From the preliminary findings, it
was found that in the case of Seacargo International Company based in Kuala Lumpur, both
oral and written English were seen as important, especially for surveyors, in order to ensure
their work perform effectively. For surveyors, face to face communication was regarded as
highly important, however high priority was given to written communication, particularly in
the context of investigation.

On the use of English in government sector, several extracts of formal talk exchange
where instances of code-switching between Bahasa Malaysia and English language occur
between working adults in one of the government offices is investigated (Mohd Jan,2003).
The analysis of talk included examining the existence of linguistic power-wielding among
male and female members, and how they manipulated issues during interactions by using
code-switching to negotiate personal rights and obligations and to take control of situations.

Malaysian Employee Federation (2004),stated that due to globalization, Malaysian


business nowadays are facing competitive challenges and a liberalized environment, in which
English as known as international language, dominates. Therefore, due to this dominance,
having a good command of English is definitely an advantage especially to graduate that
looking for a job. This skill is certainly one of the criteria that would be looking for during
the recruitment process.

However, not all of the staff will have the desire or the ability to learn as quickly as
the young graduate. Thus, to help them to face their difficulties in using English at their
workplace, several initiatives need to be carried out especially by the employer. First, all the
relevant document can be translate into the primary languages of the employees by using
several free websites that translate text from one language to another.

Next, by using an interpreter during instructions or feedback were given to the


employees. There may be someone in the organization who speaks both languages fluently
enough to convey the message to the employees. Providing language classes for employees
on the basic language requirements for business is also an effective way to help those
employees to improve their English.
In the aspect of training methods, both telling and showing methods of training can
be used. Employer can demonstrate to their employees what their goals are and then have the
employees to perform the function. Re-demonstrate as often as needed until the employees
can perform the task successfully. Visual methods can be used as method of communication
more than audio. For instance, safety instructions convey from the airlines company. This
method will help those employees to receive better input rather than by using audio.

As with new concept, most people do not learn or receive something the first time
they hear it. Therefore, repetition is needed. Employees need to hear the same message over
and over before they fully grasp it. During communicate, employer should not raise their
voice or over enunciate their word. Not only that, employer need to be aware of the
complexities of their words. Common word need to be used to convey message in simpler
terms. Lastly, in order to communicate effectively and build rapport with the employees,
employer should consider learning a few words and phrases in their employee’s language.

Nowadays, competence in English as a compulsory condition for employees in most


private sectors and governmental sectors has emphasized the increasing prominence of
English in the country. This is due to benefits that not only benefit the employer but as well
as the employees itself. In fact, the implementation of Teaching and Learning of Science and
Mathematics in English (PPSMI) policy in 2003, has significantly improved the usage of
English usage among the new generation, especially those in primary and secondary schools
which will become the future backbone of Malaysia. (1316 words)
References

Briguglio, C. (Ed.). (2003). Gathering linguistic data from two multinational companies:
Intercultural communication in the workplace. In Proceedings from the 5th ABC
European convention. Lugano, Switzerland.

Malaysian Employers Federation (2004). Facing the realities of the world of work
[PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from: <http://www.epu.gov.my/seminars>.

Mohd Jan, J. (2003). Code-switching for power wielding: Inter-gender discourse at the
workplace. Multilingua, 22(1), 41–57.

Nair-Venugopal, S. (2001). The sociolinguistics of choice in Malaysian business settings. The


International Journal of Sociology of Language, 152, 21–52.

Nair-Venugopal, S. (2006). An interactional model of English in Malaysia: A contextualized


response to commodification. Journal of Asian Pacific Communication, 16(1), 51–
75.

Ting, S.-H. (2002). Is English needed in a Malay workplace? RELC Journal, 33, 137–153.

You might also like