English Language Skills and Becoming a Global Entrepreneur: Lessons for Entrepreneurship Education

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of a case study that focused on the importance of English language skills in helping students become global entrepreneurs. A critical element that is often missing in courses on Entrepreneurship Education is the inclusion of the language component that helps build oral English proficiency. In the entrepreneurship education courses, the importance of teaching English skills to prepare students to become global entrepreneurs is seldom instilled among students—an especially crucial aspect when teaching students for whom English is a second or foreign language—as it would not only motivate them to use English more, but also help them overcome their challenges in using English. By using an online survey and focus group discussions, this study obtained the views of 177 undergraduate students of an Entrepreneurship Education course conducted by the Faculty of Economics of a Malaysian public university. The attitudes of the students towards using English for entrepreneurship and the challenges they faced in doing so are highlighted, and implications are drawn for teaching English in entrepreneurship courses.

Developing an English Language School Management Course: Curriculum Innovation and Entrepreneurial Opportunities at Universitas Negeri Makassar

“…This synergy underscores the value of the English Language School Management (ELSM) course in enhancing the competencies of graduates from the English Language Education Study Program (ELESP). As English becomes an essential subject in diverse departments like economics and management, the demand for English teachers equipped with entrepreneurial skills is increasing (Ahmad & Khan, 2023). Developing confidence in entrepreneurial ventures, including intentions and practical skills for business plan creation in EL services, such as tutoring or translation and refining public speaking abilities for business interactions, are crucial for the success of ELESP students (Siyaswati & Rochmawati, 2019).…”

Developing Proficiency in English Language and Embarking on the Journey of Global Entrepreneurship: A Pathway to Achieving Success

“…The research underscored the importance of maintaining fluency in English for long-term growth since those who cannot find it challenging to live in an increasingly interconnected world. Another study was done by Ahmad and Khan (2023), which investigated the role that proficient English language skills have in fostering students' development into international business leaders, using a case study involving undergraduates from Malaysia. According to the findings, entrepreneurship courses must be combined with English language classes to prepare students for global business success effectively.…”