A Case Study on English at Work in Korea

Abstract

This two-year observational study investigated the use of English in a Korean small-to-medium enterprise (SME) that imports, manufactures, and exports products. It investigated the tasks that required English, how the staff coped with English, and the outcomes of their English use. It was found that despite ten years’ of public education, nearly all the staff had difficulty communicating effectively with overseas suppliers and customers. Problems in email communication stemmed from misapplication of stock phrases, copying incorrect sample emails, and being unable to write email. Telephone and face-to-face meetings were also seriously hindered by incorrect English.