70% OF GRADUATES LET DOWN BY POOR ENGLISH

70% of graduates let down by poor English

KOTA KINABALU June 9, 2012: Seventy per cent of Malaysian graduates are having a hard time seeking jobs in the private sector due to poor command of English, according to Tourism, Environment and Culture Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

Citing his past work experience with a multinational company in Peninsular Malaysia, Masidi said 70 per cent of interviewees did not make it through the second round as they could not converse well in English.

“I suggest the graduates take the initiative to learn other languages, particularly English,” he said when officiating at the opening of Global English Centre Sdn Bhd at Plaza Kingfisher here yesterday.

The centre offers, among other programmes, basic English courses, IELTS preparation, custom tailored courses and corporate training courses.

In this challenging world, Masidi said graduates should add value to their own employability by learning the important languages.

In the context of Malaysia, this means learning English and Mandarin, he said.

“Private sectors are in the business to make money. Unless you can contribute to making money, or generating more revenue, they will not be interested in employing you,” Masidi said.

In China, he said, the learning of English has become one of the biggest industries in which 400 million out of the 1.2 billion population in that country are currently learning English.

“At this point of time, statistics shows that 164 million Chinese regularly surf the Internet in English,” he added.

Masidi urged the people not to be afraid to speak English and make mistakes.

He encouraged them to read English newspapers and books, and look up the dictionary for vocabularies.

Masidi also advised parents to create an English-speaking environment at home regardless of their race.

He said they should substitute usual presents with books and educational toys, and cultivate reading habit among their children.

A staff team with good command of English will enable a business to expand beyond its own country, he said.

Also present were Mohd Azman Putong from the Private Education and Special Education Sector of the State Education Department, and Global English Centre Sdn Bhd director Michael Kehoe.

Meanwhile, Michael said that currently, Global English Centre is now open for June intake.

He said students who are interested and would like to know more about Global English Centre are invited to attend its Open Day on (Sunday) June 10, from 12 noon to 3pm.

“Students will be able to have direct access to teachers and staff and to tour the premises and facilities available at our centre,” he said.

by Chok Sim Yee