Proficient English Is Key to International Career: Experts

Good English skills can increase one’s value and help one stand out in the competitive job market. Yet, how can we apply English to our work? How can we enhance our English proficiency? Two experts, Darren and Ricky, shared their views on current trends in job hunting and tried creative ways of English learning with the audience on December 7^th at Soochow University in a lecture held by the school’s Language Center and Chun Shin Co. Limited, the official agent of TOEIC.

Darren, a senior human resources manager, shared his recruiting experiences in foreign companies. In the process of looking for positions in international enterprises, open-mindedness and cross-cultural adaptability are important factors for job seekers to overcome difficulties such as some inevitable culture shock. In addition to the applicant’s expertise and personality, English ability is also an important requirement. A well-written English resume, from its layout and typesetting to its content, may grab the attention of employers, who spend an average of two minutes on one resume, and would more likely earn interview opportunities for job applicants. As for English interviews and presentations, they are used to test job seekers’ ability to analyze information and make responses under pressure. And only those applicants with good preparations can outperform other competitors.

While our mind grows as we age, will our language competence do, too? Ricky, an expert of English learning, believes that the longer people learn English, the harder they should try to communicate with more mature language usages and higher level of vocabulary. Unlike English for daily conversations, English for workplace has different ways for expression, each of which would show nuances in standpoints and attitudes. Ricky further analyzed the differences between the culture of foreign companies and that of local companies. The former pays more attention to employees’ logic and dialectics of conversation, while the latter puts more emphasis on how much employees understand the goals and needs of the company. In addition, Ricky also dispelled some myths about English: Speaking English fast or with a native-like accent does not necessarily equal to good English proficiency. Instead, competent and successful communication with others is the main purpose of learning English.

With decreasing investments in Taiwan from multinational enterprises and rising international competitiveness of other Asian countries, the younger generation in Taiwan would be faced with many challenges in the future. The two speakers encouraged SCU students to cultivate their international visions, develop good English skills, and obtain certificates for English proficiency. These are the prerequisites of talents for high-paying jobs in international businesses. Ya-Li Shi, a teacher of SCU’s Language Center, hoped that the lecture could provide students with more ideas about international job markets, and help them develop better skills, concepts and attitude in learning English.