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An analysis of English in the workplace: The communication needs of textile and clothing merchandisers
Instructor: Dr. Pi-Ying HsuPresenter: Wei – Ting ChienDate: November 19, 2009
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Citation
So-mui, F. L., & Mead, K. (2000). An analysis of English in the workplace: the communication needs of textile and clothing merchandisers. English for specific purpose, 19, 351-368.
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Contents
I. Introduction
II. Literature Review
III. Methodology
IV. Results & Conclusion
V. Reflection
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Background
• Textile and clothing industry is a major contributor to the Hong Kong economy and the largest employers within the manufacturing sector.
(So-mui & Mead, 2000)
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Background
• There is a highly demand for employers to hire employees who are good at language performance and usage in business context.
(So-mui & Mead, 2000)
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Purposes of the study
• to investigate the workplace English needs of textile and clothing merchandiser
• to analyze the English usage of communication of textile and clothing merchandiser
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Literature Review
• There is a lack of sufficient training for majority of ESP teachers.
(Hutchinson & Waters, 1987)
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Literature Review
• Guidance and practice in the use of English communication in the context of business tend to be very limited.
(Louhiala-Salminen, 1996)
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Subjects of the study
300 Poly U graduates 60 KTTI graduates28-h units of English and
Communication2 years of language training
Had been working merchandisers for at least one year
•The buyer who places the order for a consignment of garments•The supplier of fabric, yarn and accessories•The manufacturer involved in producing the garments
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Design of the study
Questionnaire surveys
Telephone interviews
Visit to the workplace
Authentic workplace texts
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Questionnaire surveys
• 36 questions• feedback
300 Poly U
60 KTITComplementaryQuestionnaires
• 12 questions
1. Extent of English usage2. Countries with which business is conducted3. Common channels of communication
4. Preferred channels of communication5. Purpose of writing communication6. Use of abbreviations in written messages
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•Communication profiles•Graduates’ communication needs
18 KTTI graduates Supervisors
Interviewees
•Cantonese•15 semi-structured questions
Telephone interviews
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•Visit to the workplace
•Collection of authentic texts
Analyzing the writing style of authentic texts
Workplace Period Objectives Hong Kong-based
buying office Half a day • Understanding the operation of company
• Observing the merchandisersShenzhen factory 2 days • Observing the procedure &
communication during the production of garments
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Questionnaire Results
• Extent of English usage
Institutions Distributed Returned Response RatePoly 300 130 43%KTIT 60 20 33%
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Questionnaire Results
• Extent of English usage Over 50% respondents of spoken English
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Questionnaire Results
• Countries with which business is conducted
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Questionnaire Results
• Most common channels of communication
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Questionnaire Results
• Most preferred channels of communication
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Questionnaire Results
• Main purposes of written communication
High frequency Low frequencyFollowing up on an order Negotiating for better order
termsAdvising updated order status
Negotiating for settling a claim
Clarifying order queries Making a claim
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Questionnaire Results
• Use of abbreviations in written messages
Standard abbreviation, am/pmUse of abbreviation for two or more wordsAssociated with telexes
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Follow-up telephone interviews
Graduates’ interview Supervisors’ interview
•English is the principle language
•Grammatical accuracy
•Graduates are inadequate in performing complicated tasks in English
•Effective English communication affecting promotion•Negotiating & making a claim
•Correctness of content
•Use of appropriate tones
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Analysis of authentic workplace texts
• Presentation of the message
Quantity of sample Over 100
Form Mostly faxes
Feature Use of uppercase letters
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Analysis of authentic workplace texts
• Paragraphing
• Headings and paragraph numbering
• Abbreviations
Follow recommended paragraph length: four-six lines
Using for improving the appearance of the message
Frequent use of such short forms
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Analysis of authentic workplace texts
• Grammatical accuracyGrammatical
ErrorsIncorrect Correct
Noun/adjective confusion
“JAPAN SUPPLIER” “JAPANESE SUPPLIER”
Verb tense“PLS NOTED”“AFTER OUR BUYER SEE”
“PLS NOTE”“AFTER OUR BUTER SAW”
Word order for question
“WHAT WE CAN DO?” “WHAT CAN WE DO?”
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Analysis of authentic workplace texts
• Tone YOU JUST PURCHASE…YOU MAKE US STAND ON THE EMBERASS POSITION!YOU MUST ADVISE…ANS MUST DEDUCT…YOU MUST TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY
• Business jargon“Herewith”
“Please be informed that…”
“it has been brought to our attention that…”
“Please contact the undersigned.”
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Analysis of authentic workplace texts
• Connectives Over & inappropriately
used
• Incomplete sentences
A careless attitude &
misunderstanding caused
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Company visits
Places Finding Conclusion
HK based buying office
•company’s Information•technology used•working environment
Language learning activities that closely match the working environmentShenzhen factory •Mandarin is the lingua
franca of the factory
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Conclusion
• Extensive use of English• Extensive use of tax• Specific purposes for communicating • Use of authentic materials
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Reflection
• Some of literature are out-dated.• No question samples provided .• No interview protocol provided.• No interviews with Poly U graduates.• The findings would be valuable to ESP course
designers.• Merchandises of other industries would have similar
needs.
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Thanks for your
attention!