Table 2 A profile of 9 Taiwanese companies requiring English skills among all employees according to interviews from representatives of each company
Industry sector | Employees | English language requirement | Reasons for that requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
High technology | 13,000 | 1. A basic level for operations/production/assembly lines 2. Good written and oral English | • all the markings on the chips are in English • to better communicate with overseas clients to make the products they need |
Manufacturing | 9,000 | A basic to high command of English | • to manage documents in English • to manage work in sales and research development • to communicate with foreign consultants |
Banking & Mortgage | 5, 000 | A basic to high command of English | • to communicate with foreign banks or do foreign exchange operations • to communicate with foreign clients • to leave a good impression on our customers that the overall quality of our employees reaches a particular standard |
High technology | 1,000 | A basic to high command of English | • to contact foreign clients or suppliers to purchase products or acquire technical knowledge regarding the maintenance of products |
Education & training | 400 | A basic level to high command of English | • to communicate with foreign customers and foreign teachers regarding the characteristics of different books • to write emails to overseas publishers regarding book orders |
Education & training | 200 | Intermediate GEPT (CEFR level B1) | • to communicate with foreign teachers • to answer students’ questions regarding certification tests • to convince clients of their English abilities |
High technology | 200 | A basic to high command of English | • to understand emails and faxes in English • to understand English machine manuals • to engage in discussions at English-medium meetings • to communicate or place orders overseas via email and phone. |
High technology | 54 | A basic level | • to contact overseas suppliers • to understand English product manuals • to prepare for IT certification tests • to gain more respect from local clients by occasionally referring to terminology in English |
High technology | 8 | A basic to high command of English | • to have business interactions with overseas customers • look for information and write reports |