Foreign Language Skills: A Challenge for the Economy (original) (raw)

Languages and the Market: A ReCLes.pt Selection of International Perspectives and Approaches

The paper describes the impact of intercultural context on communication competencies in a foreign (English) language, as perceptions of other cultures are currently viewed as an integral part of effective intercultural communication and a tool developing competitive advantage, especially in the corporate sector. The paper identifies the components of intercultural competence, such as attitudes, knowledge and understanding; it also analyses different aspects of perception in other cultures, including work motivation, negotiations and labour relationships and explains some critical issues and their influence on intercultural communication in international teams and businesses. It shows where and why intercultural differences matter to global business and managers and examines how companies can anticipate cultural differences. It outlines Czech cultural values as seen by others and demonstrates business examples of typical symptoms of cultural clashing in effort to recognize potential faux pas ensuing from little cultural or social awareness. It briefly points out some strategies and frameworks implementing intercultural elements applicable to intercultural management.

Language and Intercultural Communicative Competence in the Professional Training of Business Specialists

Proceedings of the “New Silk Road: Business Cooperation and Prospective of Economic Development” (NSRBCPED 2019), 2020

The modern development of the world economy in the context of globalization involves the expansion of company activity from the regional to the international level. Such expansion definitely contributes to a number of economic advantages. However, this inevitably causes a number of problems, the main of which are the language barrier and misunderstanding between cultures, which can lead not only to financial losses, but also to problems with reputation. This fact determines the need for specialists with intercultural communication skills and knowledge of foreign languages. Thus, the article discusses the importance of language and intercultural competence of future specialists in international business. The article considers the essence and content of the phenomenon of intercultural competence of a specialist in the field of economics and business, defines the role and importance of studying the characteristics of business cultures of different countries of the world for successful intercultural interaction. It is concluded that language and intercultural competence is becoming more and more popular today, since in the conditions of integration and globalization the success of a specialist's activity depends on it.

Foreign Language Skills a Must in Multinational Companies-An Intercultural Perspective

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2012

No matter in which language we communicate, we have to communicate, whether we like it or not. It is very important to make oneself understood, therefore we have often to communicate in the company's language. The larger meaning of communication is by looking at the communication from an intercultural perspective in a multinational company. The concept of corporate communication is in business administration and communication studies identified by the totality of all communicati on tools and communication activities of a company that will be used to represent the company and its services in all relevant target groups. For a company it is not only important to have a positive corporate culture and to voice it, but also, to check it regularly out. In this context it should be noted that a corporate culture is subject of changes, whether they are social changes or other kind of changes, like learning a foreign language.

English-Conflicting Foreign Languages and Language Management Strategies in International Business Communication

European Journal of Applied Linguistics Studies

The English language is considered the global business language and a mutual language to provide communication and understanding in business. Learning foreign languages and implementing language management strategies enable cross-cultural communication, business growth and career enhancement. Drawing on this theory of business communication, this study explores the effects of language proficiency in business operations of Kosovan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which intend to become integrated globally, by using mixed methods and the interpretation of business managers (Sample 1, N = 5), two pilot tests (Sample 2, N = 7 and N = 29) and an online questionnaire (Sample 3, N = 139). The role of English in business communication was interrelated with an analysis of other foreign languages, along with the implementation of language strategies and the effect of language skills on career development. This squares well with the proposition that these three aspects are consistent...

The changing nature of international business relationships and foreign language competence

International Journal of Management Practice, 2004

This paper examines the role of Foreign Language Competence (FLC) in International business, at a time when business activity, in general, is becoming increasingly international, and when the focus of business relationships is changing from that of a short-term, task-orientated approach, to one of a longer-term relationship orientation. As a consequence of these changes, the authors suggest that FLC should become increasingly focused on the development/maintenance of long-term business relationships, rather than the traditional short-term 'sales-orientation' which has been the case so far. The paper is a conceptual contribution, which will be empirically tested at a later date.