Keywords
employers' perception
English language
graduates employability
language at workplace
How to Cite
Abstract
In today’s globalised and competitive job market, graduates must meet the rising industry expectations for effective real-world communication skills, alongside technical expertise. In the era where English proficiency often defines employability, employers increasingly prioritise graduates with strong language proficiency and effective communication skills as key indicators for employability. However, the specific communicative competencies required in professional settings is still not well-understood. Using Canale and Swain’s (1980) framework, this study investigates the employers’ perception of communicative competence perceived as important for effective communication in the workplace. Data were collected through a questionnaire analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that sociolinguistic competence was most valued as it emphasises the importance of contextually appropriate language use in workplace communication. This study highlights the significance of adopting established second language framework beyond academic contexts to better align language education with industry expectations hence offering an alternative language curriculum for educators and policymakers to enhance English language training and graduate employability.
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