INTRODUCTION

Background
Many Malaysians have difficulty communicating in English in the workplace,
especially when it comes to business-related matters. Do you agree or disagree with the
above statement? Does this apply to both oral and written communication? In a survey
conducted by Maes, Weldy, and Icenogle (1997), oral communication skills have been identified
as the most important skills in the workplace. Their study conducted in the Greater Gulf Coast
area, including the coastal areas of Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle, revealed that
oral communication in English is the most important skill demanded by employers when it
comes to recruiting new staff. In addition to being one of the most essential skills for
employment, oral communication skills are vital to job success and promotion (Lee, 2003;
Crosling & Ward, 2001). Huckins and Olsen (1984) are of the view that employees who do not
demonstrate good oral communication skills are rarely given managerial responsibility. Effective
oral communication skills are vital to people who hold managerial positions because managers
need to explain, listen to, persuade, guide, coach, encourage, facilitate and direct group members
to meet the goals of individuals and their organisations. Effective oral communication enables
individuals to be understood and helps create understanding between people and fosters good
relationship among workers in any business context (DiSanza & Legge, 2000).
Purpose
I agree that many Malaysians have difficulty communicating in English in
the workplace, especially when it comes to business-related matters.
According to Malaysiakini (2015) English is currently the world language is a fact that even the
die-hard nationalists in the country cannot argue with. So if we aspire to be more proficient in the
language we are only trying to be better citizens of the world. So, the purpose of this
report is to highlight possible causes of this situation. Below are the reasons as to
why many Malaysians have difficulty communicating in English in the workplace, especially
when it comes to business-related matters. They are because of the current English curricular

What are some possible causes of this situation? Answer these questions in the
introduction
Body paragraphs:
1.

Give reasons for the stand you take, and substantiate your responses with examples from
experiences in your workplace or at offices that you have visited.
Firstly,

For

example.your

recommendations. Our new English curricula for these STEM subjects need to be mindful of
this type of situation. The curriculum planners need to stay abreast of content and approaches
like English for Special Purposes, because our employees in these industries and multi-national
companies need to be not only proficient in the English language but familiar with the special
terminologies and language register associated with the business of these industries.
Secondly,

..For

instanceyour

recommendations. Special attention should be paid to teacher training and pedagogical

strategies. We should not take the teachers English proficiency for granted. They were
completely educated in the Malay medium, even the teachers teaching English as a subject!
There has to be a massive retraining programme because this change involves a new medium of
instruction for the STEM subjects.
Thirdly,..For

examplesyour

recommendations
Next, For instance..your recommendations
Finally,For
recommendations

exampleyour

Conclusion
The importance of being able to communicate in English in the workplace, especially
when it comes to business-related matters.Unless the ministry is seen to be attentive to the needs
of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, whatever steps taken to upgrade English language
proficiency in this country will always be opposed by the die-hard nationalists. However, these
same nationalists too need to be proficient in the English language for them to succeed in their
respective careers in the wider world.

References (new page)-follow APA style

Your answers must be written in a report form maximum of 2000-2500 words, excluding title
page and appendices. Where relevant and appropriate, cite references to material that you have
read.

REFERENCES
Malaysia kinihttps://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/
Maes, J. D., Weldy, T. G, & Icenogle, M. L. (1997). A managerial perspective: Oral
communication competency is most important for business students in the workplace.
Journal of Business Communication, 34(1), 67-80
Peterson, M. S. (1997). Personnel interviewers perceptions of the importance and adequacy of
applicants communication skills. Communication Education, 46, 287-291.