The Oral Communication Skill Module: Investigating the Outcomes on Malaysian Employees’ Confidence in Terms of Fluency

• Published in: Mextesol Journal
• Main Author: Adnan N.I.; Rahman Hakim M.A.; Sasidharan A.; Zainol Abidin M.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Asociacion Mexicana de Maestros de Ingles MEXTESOL A.C 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85207711639&doi=10.61871%2fmj.v48n3-8&partnerID=40&md5=e1cbf4db7814d7af6670796925f09103

English is widely used in the working environment globally. In Malaysia, many employers have English courses which relate to their job requirements. This is to help employees to become more competent, fluent, and confident in communicating in English while working. Besides academic qualifications, employers pay great attention to employees’ English communication skills. This paper explores to what extent the Oral Communication Skill (OCS) Module for a training program can help improve Malaysian working adults’ confidence levels in terms of fluency. It proposes that the activities in the OCS module are needed so that employees can speak fluently and, as a result, build their level of confidence. Three working adults were selected to use the module for 12 weeks. Their performances, interview responses, and reflective journal entries were recorded and analysed. The findings reported a growth in the participants’ confidence as a result of increased fluency, the awareness of the need to reflect on their speaking performances and to have appropriate English preparation as a key element before delivering oral presentations. © 2024 Asociacion Mexicana de Maestros de Ingles MEXTESOL A.C. All rights reserved.