{"id":496,"date":"2010-09-30T07:25:13","date_gmt":"2010-09-30T07:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eltweekly.com\/elt-newsletter\/?p=496"},"modified":"2010-09-30T07:25:13","modified_gmt":"2010-09-30T07:25:13","slug":"71-article-english-and-employability-by-dr-r-kannan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eltweekly.humbeestudio.xyz\/?p=496","title":{"rendered":"#71, Article: ‘English and Employability’ by Dr. R. Kannan"},"content":{"rendered":"

ELTWeekly ISSN 0975-3036<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. R. Kannan works as an\u00a0Assistant Professor with the\u00a0Department of English at\u00a0Fatima Michael College of Engg. & Technology,\u00a0Madurai.<\/em><\/p>\n

Preamble<\/strong><\/p>\n

English, being a global language, has occupied an unparallel position today.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 People across the globe speak a number of languages. They felt for a common language to communicate internationally.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

English and Employability<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Employability can be described as ‘ a set of achievements \u2013 skills, understandings and personal attributes \u2013 that make graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen fields.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The top ten<\/em> skills needed for employability are:<\/p>\n

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

    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:<\/p>\n