ANALISIS KEBUTUHAN KOMPETENSI KOMUNIKASI BAHASA INGGRIS PADA USAHA EKSPOR PRODUK AGRIBISNIS DI MAKASSAR, SULAWESI SELATAN

Abstract

The goal of Business English subject taught in the Ujung Pandang State Polytechnic (PNUP) is to equip its graduateswith oral English communication (OEC) skills needed in industries. In order to achieve this, it needs a syllabus thatmatches current needs of graduates when working in the industries. The study addresses three aims: a). To identify theEnglish language skills are needed by business English graduates to perform their work in the export-import workenvironment, b). To identify the mismatch (lack) between OEC skills the graduates have and the skills which arerequired in the workplace, c). To identify the factors causing the mismatches. This study employed a qualitativeapproach design. The participants of the study were two employees from an export –import agroindustry in Makassar,two graduates of Diploma 4 and two of Diploma 3 from the PNUP in Maksassar City, Indonesia. Purposive samplingtechnique was used to select the participants of the interviewee participants. Descriptive analysis was used to calculatethe quantitative data and thematic analysis was used to analyze and interpret the qualitative data. It was found that therewere 6 types English language skills which are mostly required in the workplace (necessity). The graduates’ ability ofusing the six skills was considered mismatches (lack). The study also revealed three impactful factors causing themismatches. First, lack of preparation of specific vocabularies from the prerequisite subjects. Secondly, lack of time topractice speaking outside the classroom environment. Finally, lack of knowledge toward the topics discussed. Findingshave practical implication improving the pre-requisite, business English syllabi content and school environment .