ENGLISH USED IN FOREIGN MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES IN THE TOKYO REGION : A PILOT STUDY (Joint Research Project : "Methodological Studies on Crosscultural Understanding in International Communication : Toward Effective Policies for Reducing Cultural Barriers"

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The Department of American, British and Canadian Studies in the Faculty of Humanities at Hokkai Gakuen University anticipates that some future graduates may search for employment in international enterprises. In order to inform the curriculum-making process, the present pilot study investigates the English-language tasks performed in foreign-based multinational companies. During the autumn of 1993, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a member of the personnel department and at least one other employee at nine foreign-based multinationals in the Tokyo region. In preparation for the interview, each participant completed a short questionnaire to determine which of 22 business tasks requiring English-language proficiency were performed, in the case of the member of the personnel department, in the company, or, in the case of the employee, in this individual's job. The interviews given by the personnel representatives reflect the range of tasks requiring proficiency in English, official policies regarding the use of English, the role of English in hiring and promotions, the nature of the in-house foreign-language training provided by their companies, and future needs. The other employees were interviewed about the frequency and complexity of tasks performed, reflecting their actual needs. The interview also gathered information about the employees' English-education background (including instruction provided by the company), testing, and anticipated needs. Interviews were analyzed qualitatively by identifying common threads. The results section of this paper presents a synopsis of the interviews. In the discussion section, the analysis concentrates on the following areas: (1) the four language skills; (2) specialized job-related knowledge; (3) the role of technology; (4) English as an international language; and (5) testing and career development. When appropriate, implications for EEL university curricula in Japan are discussed.
北海学園大学の論文
1995-03-31

ENGLISH USED IN FOREIGN MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES IN THE TOKYO REGION : A PILOT STUDY (Joint Research Project : "Methodological Studies on Crosscultural Understanding in International Communication : Toward Effective Policies for Reducing Cultural Barriers"

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