Syed Hussain
STRONG English proficiency is critical not just for day-to-day communication, but also for employability, career progression and Malaysia’s competitiveness in international markets, says Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman.
While Malaysia ranked first in Asia and 24th globally in the 2025 Education First (EF) English Proficiency Index (EPI), he said employers often see gaps between top-performing individuals and the general workforce.
He noted that urban, international school- and overseas-educated Malaysians often meet or exceed global standards, whereas graduates from rural areas and lower-tier institutions show wide variability in proficiency.
“Many Malaysian graduates can communicate socially in English but face challenges in professional contexts.
“When it comes to writing, they often struggle with grammar, have a limited vocabulary, and find it difficult to express complex ideas concisely.
“Speaking-wise, they show hesitation, lack confidence and often rely on scripted communication,” he said, adding that in professional settings, they struggle with email etiquette, presentations, negotiations and stakeholder engagement.
The imbalance between reading, listening, speaking and writing abilities, he said, can affect teamwork, customer-facing roles, leadership development and multinational communication.
“Employers use English as a proxy for job readiness. They view strong English skills as an indicator of critical thinking, confidence, communication ability, professionalism and adaptability.
“Strong English skills open doors to international companies, regional roles and high-value positions, while weaker proficiency can limit career growth even for technically skilled graduates,” he said.
He added that Malaysia’s push towards a high-income economy makes strong English skills essential, as key sectors such as the digital economy, finance, manufacturing, semiconductor and electrical and electronics, and shared services require talent that can understand global standards, work regionally, engage multinational partners, and adapt to international business practices.
“Multinational corporations frequently cite Malaysia’s relatively strong English-speaking workforce as a key reason to set up operations here.
“If proficiency declines or stagnates, investors may shift to other countries and Malaysia risks losing high-value service-sector jobs in fields like information technology (IT), professional services and analytics,” he said.
To improve English, he recommended speaking daily with friends or colleagues, joining speaking clubs like, Toastmasters, and building industry-specific vocabulary by reading job descriptions, reports and industry articles.
“Record yourself speaking to track progress. Practise spontaneous speaking, not memorised scripts.
“Learn common terms used in your field, like business, engineering, IT, marketing and finance. Keep a personal glossary of business and technical phrases, as professional vocabulary increases credibility and employability,” he said.
He added that English fluency improves faster through daily immersion rather than memorisation, such as using English in digital settings, media consumption, online interactions and regular micro-learning, while constructive feedback remains essential for progress.
“Ask teachers or colleagues to review your email drafts. Work with a mentor who communicates strongly in English.
“Participate in group discussions where feedback is encouraged, as feedback turns practice into progress,” he said. — BY JAAYNE JEEVITA
