Exploring Communication Skills Requirements of Employers: Implications for English Curriculum Enhancement

This study is a survey of the workplace communication skills required by various employers in Cagayan de Oro City and aims to recommend possible enhancements to the English curriculum to make graduates of Liceo de Cagayan University at par with the demands of the workplace and to make them globally competitive. Using a descriptive research design, the researcher surveyed 27 job sectors within Cagayan de Oro City of which 74% employed graduates of Liceo de Cagayan University. The study found that the communication skills essential in the workplace include speaking, writing, listening, and reading. In terms of speaking, employers require the most the employee’s ability to handle customers/clients/patients’ complaints well. On writing, they require the ability to write comprehensive reports and the ability to document meetings/proceedings. As to listening, the ability to listen to the point of view of others and the ability to follow verbal instructions thoroughly are required. While in reading, employers require the ability to read, understand, and follow written instructions/procedures in handling tasks. From the findings of the study, it can be said that there is a need to review the English curriculum of the University to prepare the graduates for the various communication tasks required by their respective disciplines.

 

Keywords - workplace communication skills, English curriculum, business employers