This document summarizes a study analyzing the workplace English communication needs of textile and clothing merchandisers in Hong Kong. The study used questionnaires, telephone interviews, and analysis of authentic workplace texts to investigate how and why English is used by merchandisers. The results showed that over 50% of respondents used spoken English extensively and that the most common channels of communication were email, phone, and fax. Business was often conducted with countries like China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. The authentic texts analysis revealed issues with grammatical accuracy, abbreviations, and incomplete sentences. The findings provide useful guidance for ESP course designers on the specific communication needs of textile and clothing merchandisers.

1. An analysis of English in the workplace: The communication needs of textile and clothing merchandisers Instructor: Dr. Pi-Ying Hsu Presenter: Wei – Ting Chien Date: November19, 2009 1

2. 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. 2

3. Contents I. Introduction II. Literature Review III. Methodology IV. Results & Conclusion V. Reflection 3

4. 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) 4

5. 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) 5

6. 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 6

7. Literature Review There is a lack of sufficient training for majority of ESP teachers. (Hutchinson & Waters, 1987) 7

8. Literature Review Guidance and practice in the use of English communication in the context of business tend to be very limited. (Louhiala-Salminen, 1996) 8

9. Subjects of the study 9

10. Design of the study Questionnaire surveys Telephone interviews Visit to the workplace Authentic workplace texts 10

12. feedback

13. 12 questions1. Extent of English usage 2. Countries with which business is conducted 3. Common channels of communication 4. Preferred channels of communication 5. Purpose of writing communication 6. Use of abbreviations in written messages 11

16. 15 semi-structured questions12

18. Questionnaire Results Extent of English usage 14

19. Questionnaire Results Over 50% respondents of spoken English Extent of English usage 15

20. Questionnaire Results Countries with which business is conducted 16

21. Questionnaire Results Most common channels of communication 17

22. Questionnaire Results Most preferred channels of communication 18

23. Questionnaire Results Main purposes of written communication 19

24. Questionnaire Results Use of abbreviations in written messages 20

25. Follow-up telephone interviews 21

26. Analysis of authentic workplace texts Presentation of the message 22

28. Abbreviations23

29. Analysis of authentic workplace texts Grammatical accuracy 24

32. Company visits 27

33. Conclusion Extensive use of English Extensive use of tax Specific purposes for communicating Use of authentic materials 28

34. 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. 29

35. Thanks for your attention! 30