CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Globally, English is highly significant in terms of careers. In all sorts of jobs, proficiency

in this language is demanded. Being able to write and understand the lingua franca is not enough.

One must be able to fluently communicate using English to be successful in their field of work.

The inability to do so can be a factor of less productivity and efficiency in work.

Private workers contribute in the economy and are somewhat required to be efficient in

English. Workers in business establishments must obtain basic understanding of the English

language for their business to be successful. These workers are needed to efficiently

communicate with costumers and they must understand the costumers requests and comments to

improve their work performance. With that being said, workers should have a wide range of

comprehension regarding the lingua franca.

Language and Communication

English is said to be the business and global language, thus, making it the main language

used for work and business. Being able to communicate well using this language is vital for a

worker of any sector in the economy, specifically those working in businesses. Effectively

communicating with costumers can create a bond between the two, and it is a strong foundation

for a successful business. A deficiency in this aspect may be a reason for the inability to perform

well in work.

Language is the means by which man communicates his thoughts and feelings to others.

It is also a tool with which a people conducts and manage businesses. This form of
communication is essential to all activities of man in their daily lives. Language can be used to

inform the people around them of what people feel, what men desire, and what humans question

in the world people interact. People communicate effectively with words, gestures, and tone of

voice. Being able to communicate with others, form bonds and teamwork between people.

Communication drives our lives and makes a better version of ones self.

In the country, Filipino is the official medium of communication, and also English.

According to Article XIV, Sec. 7 which states;

Sec. 7, for purposes of communication and instruction, the official

language of the Philippines are Filipino and, until provided by law,
English.7

Both languages, Filipino and English are used in the country as the language for

communication, instruction, and for the educational system of the Philippines.

Language and communication are quite significant in a lot of aspects and interactions in

everyday life. Such activities are in school, business, and work. English is the dominant business

language and it has become almost a necessity for people to speak English if they are to enter a

workforce. Research from all over the world shows that cross-border business communication is

most often conducted in English. Its importance in the global market place therefore cannot be

understated. 8 Using the English language is crucial in all forms of businesses and jobs. It is a

7
Arellano V. Busto, Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, (Manila: A.V.B. Printing Press, 2015),
p. 63.
8
Michelle Adriana, et al., Global English, (Manila: Abiva Publishing House, Inc., 1989), p. 23.

language for speaking, interacting, and writing official documents and reports needed in their

business.
 Global language essentially refers to a language that is learned and spoken

internationally, and is characterized not only by the number of its native and second language

speakers, but also by its geographical distribution, and its use in international organizations and

in diplomatic relations. A global language acts as a lingua franca, a common language that

enables people from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities to communicate on a more or less

equitable basis.9 English is the nearest thing there has ever been to a global language. Its

worldwide reach is much greater than anything achieved historically by Latin or French, and

there has never been a language as widely spoken as English. Many would reasonably claim that,

in the fields of business, academics, science, computing, education, transportation, politics and

entertainment, English is already established as the de facto lingua franca.10

Communication is significant in all forms of interaction between humans. To

communicate is a biological need of human beings. And the ability to do so effectively is vital to

each and everyone in order for them to understand each others feelings and thoughts. Globally,

the lingua franca is used in almost all activities done by people each day. The said language is

specifically integral to business, work, and commerce. Proficiency to this language is needed

workers of all sectors of the economy. The inability to use the global language or English causes

these workers to be less productive in their careers. Some business establishment workers dont

need any educational background as long as these people possess good managerial skills and

have a sufficient amount of money to run a business. Generally, all workers are needed to equip

themselves with good English background for them to pursue any type of career.

9
Esteban Canastillo and Louize Elliot, English as a Global Language, (Philippines: Sunshine Interlinks
Publishing House Incorporated, 2008), p. 36.
10
Ibid. p. 42
 In March 2008, a research paper by Laguitan aimed to know the level of English

speaking skills of pedicab drivers in her locale which was Catarman. Pedicab drivers were used

as a medium of transportation in Catarman. There is no significant relationship between the

demographic-profile in terms of age, gender, and status and the English speaking skills of the

respondents. But the educational attainment of the respondents affects their English speaking

skills. Education is the factor of learning the art of speaking. Educational attainment is the basis

in identifying how far can a pedicab driver can understand and speak English. 11 If thought

hypothetically, one major factor for poor English speaking skills of workers in business

establishments may be their educational attainment, much like to the pedicab drivers mentioned

in Laguitans study. The inability to finish or to even attend school is a huge problem to people

especially to those who aspired to have a decent job in the future.

Based on the findings, the English usage of the respondents was poor. Generally, the poor

English usage skills were because of the respondents educational attainment, it was either they

did not finish their schooling or they werent taking their studies seriously. Another cause was

that the respondents werent enthusiastic in learning the English language. The understanding of

the English language of the pedicab drivers was not low nor above average. The respondents,

according to the findings of the study, were hard to understand and comprehend English due to

the fact that they were not very exposed to that matter and the lingua franca was not their main

medium of communication.

11
Lilian Laguitan, English Speaking Skills of Selected Pedicab Drivers in Catarman, Northern Samar (A
High School Research Paper, University of Eastern Philippines Laboratory High School, 2008), p. 33.
 A descriptive paper in 2012 by Maros, Hamin and Yasin aimed to present the findings of

the language proficiency levels and needs among the postgraduate students in the University

Kebangsaan Malaysia to develop a course suitable to the levels and needs based on the findings.

The findings showed that majority of the students proficiency levels were below the entry level

of the universitys requirement. Where else the results of needs analysis showed that the most

significant language skills needed by the students are listening and speaking.

There were a few important points that can be drawn from this study, but the most

important was the fact that there were many discrepancies between the students perceptions and

their actual competency in the English language. It has been shown that even though the students

think highly of their ability to cope with the appropriate levels of English language needed to

successfully completed their study in UKM, the actually performance indicated otherwise. Hence

there were also mismatches between what they perceived as their immediate needs and the actual

needs based on their performance or ability. This study has recommended a few important ways

of how to overcome this problem. It was necessary for the university administrators and teaching

staff to realize that courses designed must be dynamic, requiring constant re-examination from

everyone involved and most importantly, they must meet the needs of the students.12

All in all, English proficiency is crucial not only in ones careers, but also in education.

Besides the subject English, other subjects also required good English understanding and

speaking for students to excel in their studies. Much like in business establishments, proficiency

and efficiency in English was needed to excel and to be successful in ones career.

12
Marlyna Maros, et al. English Language Proficiency Levels and Needs of International
Postgraduate Students: Implications and Recommendations (A Doctoral Dissertation, Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia, Malaysia, 2012), p. 187. Retrieved on March 21, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v8n13p181.
Speaking Skills

Mans main reason of existence is to interact with each other. Communication skills are

vital in any interaction. Humans were given the ability to speak to be able to communicate their

thoughts and ideas. The ability to ask questions is a significant skill in conversations and

discussions. Commonly, people asked questions to understand and also to be understood.

According to Condace, questions are useful both in getting information and in involving others

conversation.13 Though communicating the exact meaning of what the speaker says is not always

easy. Sometimes the message conveyed by the speaker is misunderstood. In the process of

communication, one creates a message, and then he sends it to the receiver and assumes it has

been received. Thus, the message is delivered. The receiver interprets the message received and

it is always interpreted based on his experiences. But if the sender and the receiver dont share a

common knowledge, the receiver does not understand the message in the way the sender

understands it.

In communication, there are eight sensible assumptions that were enumerated in the book

entitled Smart Moves by Deep and Sussman. First, communication skills are acquired more

than they are inborn.14 Take note that humans were born crying not speaking. Usually, people

learn to speak by imitating others and by the teachings of parents or guardians. Second, assume

the next message you send will be misunderstood. Third, dont worry about being clear, worry

about being understood. Fourth, the meaning of a word is not found in dictionaries. Remember

that

13
Mathews Condace, Speaking Solution: Interaction, Presentation, Listening, and Pronunciation Skills
(New Jersey; Prentice Hall Regents, 2004)
14
Sam Deep and Lyle Sussman. Smart Moves. (National Bookstore Inc. and Addison-Wesley Publishing
Company, Inc., 2005)
definitions are in dictionaries and meanings are in people. Fifth, the meaning people get from

you comes less from what you say than from how you say it. Sixth, whenever two people are in

each others presence, they communicate. Seventh, eighty percent of the information stored in

peoples mind enters through the eyes. And lastly, communication is a complex, ongoing,

dynamic, and changing process.

To maintain a good conversation, one must put his heart into her talks, one must be

sincere and natural in telling stories, and one must express his message well. According to

Webster, Learning to communicate is one of the greatest steps in students development to their

hindrance. In accordance to this, speaking skills may be influenced by their intelligence,

economic status, reading materials available, languages and dialects spoken and of course their

hearing and sight.

Mans communicative competence greatly depends on how well he can express

his thoughts, feelings, and emotions in any given situation.15 This can be seen in the workers

control of their use of language. This connotes that the respondent has the ability to present and

converse his thoughts, ideas, and feelings that will enable him to develop his personality. In

relation to this, while the respondents speaking skills will be enhanced, they will also practice

their skills in expressing their ideas clearly and correctly to others.

Every behavior acquisition depends, to some extent, on the interaction of the individual

with his environment.16 In evaluating speaking skills, it is important to take into consideration

15
De Alcantara, Rebecca, and Espinas, Teaching Strategies for the Teaching and Communication Arts:
Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. (Quezon Avenue, QC: Philippine Association for Teacher Education.
Katha Publishing Co., 2007) p 1.
16
Bever T., General Theory: In New Horizon in Linguistic 2nd Ed (USA: McMillan Book Company, 2006) p
56.
the ability of the learner to communicate his thoughts with others and the context of the

environment in which he moves in. This study of Bever recognizes the importance of the

environment in developing ones speaking skills. Hence, anything outside the workplace is the

respondents environment which can influence his speaking skills.

The problem why most people never communicate well was that they tend to forget that

oral communication was a two-way process wherein one talks and the other one listens. In a

good conversation, the talking shouldnt be done by one person alone. Having a good

conversation means the two speakers must have a give-and-take relationship between them.

There were five techniques for an effective conversation according to Hibbs. First, listen with

interest. Second, use tact. Third, find a common ground to start a good conversation. Fourth, is to

give and take. And finally, avoid argument.17

Speaking skills may vary on each person depending on some factors that may affect or

influence it. Failure in communication leads to miscommunication and being misunderstood.

Therefore it is essential that the speaking skills of individuals be developed and enhanced for one

to be able to convey ones thoughts and convince others.

English Communication in Workplace

Private sector jobs are those found with employers who are nongovernment agencies.

These can include both individual business owners and other forms of company organization

17
Hibbs, et al, Paul Speech for Today 2nd Ed (St. Louise, New York, San Francisco, Dallas: Webster
Division McGraw-Hill Book Company, 2005) p 20-26.
such as corporations or limited partnerships. In this study, the researchers were leaning towards

the respondents which are workers in private business establishments in their locale.

Workers in business joints need to improve their understanding of the role of the public

sector and problems of reform, and to consider the potential interest to their customers of dealing

with public sector issues.18 Workers are required to have at least basic knowledge and

understanding of the English language for it is often used in their careers. Usually, in their forms

of work, communication is used, specifically communication using English. In business

establishment jobs, the said business language was important in order to show companys

business partners or customers that a certain worker is professional and is educated which brings

them to a thought that this certain worker and his business or work is secure and reliable. Being

proficient and somewhat fluent in English simply shows exceed professionalism in work.

Workers are needed to communicate using the lingua franca. Workers used this language

to be effectively productive and successful at work. Some establishments required their workers

to use English as their work language. Especially used in official documents and reports. But not

all workers are proficient and fluent in the said language thus, giving them a hard time in their

jobs and careers. These people need to improve not only their proficiency of the lingua franca but

also enrich their communicating skills with the language.

18
Mike Cabigon, State of English PH: Should we be Concerned?, Philippine Daily Inquirer, (November,
2015), retrieved on March 20, 2016. global.nation.inquirer.net/90293/state-of-english-in-ph-should-we-be-
concerened