Understanding what is ‘excellent’ English

Angela Ffrench (right), director of operations, South and South East Asia, Cambridge English Language Assessment, at a press conference in Bengaluru on Friday.

Most resumes boast “excellent” English speaking skills that would fetch one a brownie point from the employer. In spite of having picked up candidates with such resumes, many corporate companies admit that their employees are not proficient in English.

This, experts, however, say may not mean that the employee is not good in English; it could just be a reflection of their inability to communicate or failure on part of the company to define what is “excellent” English.

Different needs

“Each skill sector has different needs. While a business management executive needs to have a command over preliminary business English jargons, the requirements for an IT professional, lawyer or a chartered accountant may be other types of language proficiency,” explained Sanjib Bhowmik, senior manager, Projects and Recognition – South Asia, Cambridge English Language Assessment (CELA), here on Friday, ahead of HR India Summit, a workshop for HR professionals and academicians.

At a recent workshop, they found that 85 per cent of HR professionals confessed to be disappointed with communication skills of their new recruits.

The CELA, part of the University of Cambridge, along with NHRD network, a HR management forum, had a brainstorming session to bridge the gap between the academia standards as well as curriculum and industry requirements.

Angela Ffrench, director of operations, South and South East Asia, CELA, said they could help employers in two ways — to train the existing employees and also assist companies by giving their tests to shortlist candidates.

“Some colleges have an outdated curriculum. Having specific and tangible goals would help universities and colleges to understand the requirements of corporates and rework their curriculum,” said Ms. Ffrench.

She said many colleges were devoting only 40 hours to develop the communication skills of students and there was a need to devote at least 120 hours.

CELA offers to train existing employees and also assist companies by giving their tests to shortlist candidates