Abstract
In light of the recent financial and Euro crisis, many immigrants have arrived on the German employment market with adequate English, but no German language skills, requiring German natives to use content-specific English in their work environment. This thesis seeks to explore the bases for potential curriculum and course design with a focus on English for Science and Technology (EST) in the German technical industry. This needs analysis in the form of an online survey was administered to a maximum variety sample in the German technical industry, which included different sizes and products/services of companies and position variations of employees within the company. Additionally, informants' background varied in age, education, marital status and family situation, and geographical factors such as work location and place of birth. The results showed that every informant had non-German nationals in their company in all hierarchy levels. In terms of the current state of English language use by German nationals it was found that e-mail, telephone conversations and meetings were most important applications alongside reading and writing as prime language skills needed. The results also showed that many informants use English on average for more than 15% of their day, but that cultural factors for intercultural communication are perceived as less important. On average, informants feel comfortable with their English language use, but feel that strong English language skills are not the average in their own companies. Finally, findings showed that most informants expressed need for further instruction in English for Science and Technology with focus on terminology and reading and writing, as well as communication for private matters alongside business communication.
Advisor
Stephen Stoynoff
Committee Member
Lee Tesdell
Date of Degree
2013
Language
english
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
English
College
Arts and Humanities
Recommended Citation
Hueneburg, K. (2013). English for Science and Technology in the German Technical Industry - A Needs Analysis [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/277/
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