The Importance of Language and Communication Skills in the IT Industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

AbstractBosnia and Herzegovina belongs to a group of developing countries with high unemployment rate. In the recent period, IT industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina indicates an enormous growth rate with 100% employability of all graduated IT professionals from higher education institutions. The educational sector, on the other hand, does not respond to the demands of the IT industry, neither with the number of educated graduates nor with the adequate skills. Research conducted by UNDP and Bit Alliance in B&H indicates the need for improvement of necessary skills, which include both the language, as well as communication skills. Studies conducted within certain universities in B&H indicate that the specific language classes offered as English for Specific Purposes classes do not include most of the requirements of this methodology of language teaching. The study aims at investigating the frequency of foreign languages used for work purposes at some of the major IT companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the importance of language and communication skills for hiring a candidate, and the satisfaction of both the employees (former graduates) and employers with the language skills obtained during the university studies. The purpose of the study is to show the need for changes in curricular policies within universities related to the language and communication skills of future IT graduates and as a foundation for more thorough study of the specific language needs of IT companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina.KeywordsIT industryLanguage and communications skillsEnglish for specific purposes