Analogies And Contrasts Of English In The Study And Work Environments

Résumé: In this highly competitive society, proficiency in English is becoming one of the employability skills. Business students need to be able to think critically, solve problems, communicate ‘clearly’, be creative and work in a team. The English practitioners in business departments are expected to play the role of communication skills consultants and trainers. The perceived lack of specific language/communication skills among business students and high class workers makes the researcher raise a key question whether the English course reflects the needs and wants of the students and whether there are any other factors that affect the successful imparting / learning of the skills required by the target group. It is supposed that there are obstacles in the teaching of the course at university, resulting from inappropriate teaching materials and instructional techniques, lack of trained practitioners and absence of learners’ needs analysis. The hypothesis of the study is that if the English course offered at university is redesigned or modified based on the corporate expectations /needs / requirements, delivered (taught) adequately by ‘competent’ English practitioners and students’ language skills are assessed ‘effectively’ during and at the end of the course, then the course will achieve its goal by encouraging confidence in the students and preparing them to higher education, and thus to the workplace.

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