Good command of English can boost job seeker’s marketability

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William Ghani Bina

SIBU: At a time when jobs are hard to come by, a good command of English will boost job seekers’ marketability and provide them the competitive advantage to springboard ahead of thousands of job applicants.

Sarawak Teachers’ Union’s (STU) president William Ghani Bina stressed that there are no two ways about it as English is the language of business, politics and other sectors of the economy.

“The current trend dictates that, having a fair command of English is inconsequential in this highly competitive globalised environment.

“Hence, it is imperative that students and graduates master the language used extensively in all sector of economy to stay ahead in their undertakings,” he told thesundaypost yesterday.

Lauding the move announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to form an English Language Council in 2012, Ghani said this would make graduates more conversant with the international language thus, boosting their marketability both domestically and globally.

“The proposal to set up English Language Council next year (2012) is a progressive step towards elevating graduates’ command of the language.

“With thousands graduating each year and entering job market, a good command of English will set them apart from the rest. This will certainly brighten their chances in securing jobs,” he said.

Ghani was giving STU’s stand on the proposed move to set up English Language Council in 2012 to set the standard for English Language proficiency of school students.

Muhyiddin was quoted to have said there was no such body established currently, except for a special task force in the Education Ministry that gauged the level of English proficiency achieved by school students and which also referred to outside experts when setting examination papers.

He also reportedly said the government did not want to be blissfully thinking that English proficiency at the school level had reached international standard when some people said Malaysians’ command of the language was still low.

To this, Ghani replied: “STU fully support the move as this will go a long way to help graduates sharpen their understanding and brush up their skills in the language.