ENGLISH FOR EMPLOYABILITY: A STUDY OF ENGLISH AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between English language proficiency and employability in the context of tertiary education in Bangladesh. The study investigates the expectations and requirements of employers regarding English graduates and examines whether English courses at the tertiary level adequately prepare students for the job market. The researchers also identify the challenges faced by English graduates in finding and sustaining employment related to their English skills. Incorporating a qualitative approach and utilizing Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach 1980 as a theoretical framework, the study reveals that employers expect English graduates to possess strong communication skills and proficiency in English. However, the education provided by universities falls short of producing graduates with the required English skills, particularly in writing and presenting in English. The research contributes to understanding the relationship between English proficiency and employability in a Bangladeshi context, benefiting stakeholders such as English graduates, educators, and policymakers in enhancing graduates' readiness for the job market in an increasingly competitive global economy.