English Business Communication in the Saudi Workplace: Employers’ Perceptions About the Cultural Ecology and Needed Skills and Literacies
摘要
This chapter aims at utilizing the framework of needs assessment to explore the perceptions of employers about the English business communication (EBC) literacy needs of Saudi EFL workplaces. The study used a mixed methods research design by collecting data using a questionnaire and semi-structure interview. The participants were employers from 10 private companies in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A total of 77 employers were recruited in this study, representing 10 workplaces. Out of 77 participants, nine employers participated in the semi-structured, in-depth interviews, and seven of them took part in follow-up interviews. The findings indicated that English is the business lingua franca of Saudi workplace, and has undergone noticeable changes due to extensive contact with non-native speakers of English and extensive use of electronic media. Employers emphasized that successful businesses require English business communication skills for employees’ productivity, career success, and clients’ satisfaction. They perceived that the most important English skills for their workplaces are listening, followed by speaking, writing, and reading. Other workplace literacies such as interpersonal, intercultural, teamwork, and lifelong learning skills as well as business ethics are highly needed in performing or participating in most of the work tasks and communication activities. Additionally, the results indicated that a literacy gap exists between current EBC education and workplace needs, and requires taking initiatives and making relevant curriculum improvements. Thus, the study concluded with recommendations for practice and future research.