Employers Expectations Regarding the Linguistic Competences of New Graduates Entering the Labour Market – A Pilot Survey
Employers Expectations Regarding the Linguistic Competences of New Graduates Entering the Labour Market – A Pilot Survey

Author(s): Joseph Ohimor
Subject(s): Language studies, Language and Literature Studies, Foreign languages learning
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: language competence; skills; SMEs; performance; evolving markets
Summary/Abstract: The globalizing economy and the common European market offer opportunitiesfor international business. Reports show that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including those located in Podkarpackie (Subcarpathia) Province have not been fully exploiting these chances.The presented study aims to find out how employers have taken advantage of this opportunityand what role have the graduates’ foreign language competences/skills played or shouldhave played in order to enhance their chances of professional success. The pilot survey covered six districts (powiats) in Podkarpackie Province. The anonymous survey was administered online via an Internet market-research platform.The findings confirm that enterprises’ engagement in international trade may be hamperedby difficulties in communication-related (soft) skills. Employers declare that many employeesfailed to deliver in crucial moments. The problems include, besides deficiencies within thescope of technical vocabulary, the general lack of sought-after qualities helpfull in operation in ever advancing multi-cultural, interdependent business environments. Graduates, in their own opinion, need to be equipped with relevant soft skills to fully benefit from international job openings. The paper concludes that universities could and should do more, perhaps in cooperation with businesses, to develop curricula that will facilitate the preparation of future graduates for the demands of the evolving markets.

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