Twenty-First Century Essential Employability Skills for English as a Foreign Language Undergraduates in a Context of the Mekong Delta

Van Thi Tuyet Phan,Linh Dang Thuy Nguyen,Khang Duy Nguyen

doi:10.12973/eu-jer.11.2.1089

Van Thi Tuyet Phan, Linh Dang Thuy Nguyen + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.11.2.1089

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Abstract

<p style="text-align:justify">This study aimed to investigate essential employability skills for English as a foreign language (EFL) students in the Mekong Delta for the context of the 21st century. It was also to determine the similarities and differences between the important employability skills from the perspectives of the employers and EFL students. In this study, a questionnaire was delivered to EFL students who were juniors and seniors at a university in the South of Vietnam, majoring in English Education and English Studies (English Interpreter). At the same time, interviews were realized on both EFL students and employers. The findings showed that both EFL students and employers highlighted the attributes of self-confidence, receptiveness to feedback, and the use of body language in communication. The types of employability skills are similarly recognized among employers and EFL students in the same fields of employment. However, a significant difference was also found among employers on different job-specific skills. The results also indicated that EFL undergraduates were all highly aware of preparing the employability skills for their future professions.</p>

Highlights

According to the study of Suarta et al (2017), the workplaces in the 21st century require English as a foreign language (EFL) undergraduates essential occupation-specific skills to meet the demand of the labor market, but additional important skills and attributes called employability skills as well
This study aimed to investigate essential employability skills for English as a foreign language (EFL) students in the Mekong Delta for the context of the 21st century
According to the study of Suarta et al (2017), the workplaces in the 21st century require EFL undergraduates essential occupation-specific skills to meet the demand of the labor market, but additional important skills and attributes called employability skills as well

Summary

Introduction

According to the study of Suarta et al (2017), the workplaces in the 21st century require EFL undergraduates essential occupation-specific skills to meet the demand of the labor market, but additional important skills and attributes called employability skills as well. It leads to the fact that once 21st century learning skills are activated properly and embedded into students’ curricula, the involvement is beneficial to students to prepare them for their future careers (Alismail & McGuire, 2015). In Vietnam, many skills have been prepared at school for a satisfying job and for efficient employment. These skills are not fully compatible with the requirements of the labor market, or the level of equipped skills is not satisfactory. Those necessary skills include soft skills and social skills. Larson and Miller’s report (2011) mentioned that students need to be good at their expertise, skills, and knowledge to successfully enter today’s workforce. To be well-prepared for the labor market, students should be aware of how their skills can be applied in the professional world

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