International Perspective: Foreign Language Needs of U.S. Businesses

Abstract

This research asked human resource managers of multicultural corporations how extensive their foreign language needs are, what fluencies are needed, and where companies look to obtain foreign language training for their employees? Of 171 managers responding to a mailed survey, 78.9% indicated that there was a need for foreign language fluency at their companies; Spanish was requested more than other languages. Foreign language speaking skills are in higher demand than reading or writing, and businesses look to the universities to provide the necessary training. Foreign language knowledge is a major consideration in initial hiring, promotion, and retention decisions in some companies.