Publication detail

Tertiary level proficiency in ESP: Employer survey analysis

JAŠKOVÁ, J. ŠŤASTNÁ, D.

Original Title

Tertiary level proficiency in ESP: Employer survey analysis

Type

journal article - other

Language

English

Original Abstract

One of the most topical issues in the field of teaching and learning English for Specific Purposes is the question whether tertiary students are able to succeed in mastering English as a foreign language effectively and subsequently to be competitive in the multicultural corporate sphere. The paper presents a study aimed at large employers and their requirements on university graduates’ language skills. The research was conducted in November 2018 within 12th JobChallenge Fair in Brno, Czech Republic, where large companies and businesses targeted students as their prospective employees. Following theoretical groundwork, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to representatives of 36 companies operating in engineering, information technology and economy. The aim of the survey was to identify the required language proficiency according to the Common European Framework of References for Languages as a model for describing knowledge levels. Findings show that most of the employers prefer graduates in junior positions with B2 level of English, specifically of both English for General Purposes and English for Specific Purposes. In addition, the analysis reveals a great demand for productive skills such as active participating in meetings, telephoning, business correspondence or presentation skills whereas receptive skills are considered to be less important.

Keywords

employers’ needs; English for Specific Purposes; global multinational companies; language skills; needs analysis; university graduates

Authors

JAŠKOVÁ, J.; ŠŤASTNÁ, D.

Released

20. 12. 2019

Publisher

Česká a slovenská asociace jazykových center na vysokých školách - CASAJC

Location

Brno

ISBN

1804-9435

Periodical

CASALC Review

Year of study

9

Number

2

State

Czech Republic

Pages from

5

Pages to

20

Pages count

125

URL

https://journals.muni.cz/casalc-review/article/view/13375/11383

BibTex

@article{BUT161174,
  author="Jana {Jašková} and Dagmar {Šťastná}",
  title="Tertiary level proficiency in ESP: Employer survey analysis",
  journal="CASALC Review",
  year="2019",
  volume="9",
  number="2",
  pages="5--20",
  issn="1804-9435",
  url="https://journals.muni.cz/casalc-review/article/view/13375/11383"
}