Needs of English by graduates of Qatar University in the workplace

Abstract

English is undoubtedly the language of international communication. It is generally observed that English is widely used in different sectors in Qatar. The need for English is clear. However, there is no large scale information on the degree and range this need and actual use of English in the workplace in the State of Qatar. In addition, there are no studies, to our knowledge, that investigate this problem in relation to the graduates of the university of Qatar. This paper intends to fill in this gap. It summarizes a field study of the perceived needs of English in workplace by graduates of Qatar University in different fields carried by the Documentation and Humanities Research Centre in 2004. A questionnaire was designed to elicit such information. The sample was randomly selected from different state and private institutions. The data was analyzed using SPSS available on Windows. Various statistical tests were applied including frequencies, percentages, correlations, and ANOVA. The results showed that English language is highly needed for work in both state and private institutions in Qatar. The recommendations made on the basis of the findings of the survey call for a thorough review of the existing ESL courses in the university with an eye on future usability. It is also recommended that English for academic purposes and English for vocational purposes ought to be integrated. This will enhance motivation and promote achievement.