Optimalisasi Kompetensi Bahasa Inggris Fungsional untuk Meningkatkan Daya Saing Lulusan Pendidikan Kejuruan

Abstract

Limited functional English competence remains one of the major factors constraining the competitiveness of vocational education graduates in entering the labor market. This condition is largely influenced by English instruction that prioritizes theoretical knowledge and grammatical structures rather than practical communication skills required in real workplace contexts. As a result, many vocational graduates encounter difficulties in using English effectively for professional purposes, such as job interviews, workplace communication, and basic presentations. In response to this issue, this community service program aimed to optimize functional English competence in order to enhance work readiness and improve the competitiveness of vocational education graduates. The program was implemented through a participatory and contextual approach that emphasized practice-based learning. Instructional methods included job interview simulations, professional communication role plays, workplace-based discussions, and simple presentations aligned with industry needs. The participants consisted of 35 vocational education learners. Program evaluation was conducted through surveys and competency assessments administered before and after the implementation of the activities, allowing for an objective analysis of changes in participants’ English competence. The results indicate a significant improvement in participants’ functional English competence. The distribution of competency levels shifted noticeably from low categories toward moderate and high levels after the program was completed. In addition to linguistic improvement, participants demonstrated increased confidence and more positive attitudes toward using English in workplace-related contexts. These changes suggest that the program not only enhanced language skills but also strengthened participants’ readiness to engage in professional communication. Overall, the findings demonstrate that optimizing functional English competence through practical and contextual learning approaches effectively addresses the needs of the target group. The program contributes meaningfully to improving vocational graduates’ employability and competitiveness, and it offers a potential model for sustainable functional English development in vocational education settings.