This article discusses the problem of choice of foreign language by students preparing for careers in international business. Although the importance of language choice in the context of international business programs is well recognized and students are concerned about language training and invest a great deal of time in language study, the choice of language is commonly made on the basis of less than objective criteria. A preliminary, more objective approach to language selection is suggested.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Adler, M. K. (1966), Business Languages of the World, London: IM.
2.
Aijo, Toivo S. (1985), "The Most Important Language in International Business Is That of Your Customer, Or Is It?"Journal of Marketing Education, 5 (Spring), 32-41.
3.
Gillespie, Kate and William R. Folks, Jr. (1985), "Foreign Language and International Business: The MIBS Program After Ten Years,"Foreign Language Annals, 18, 47-52.
4.
Grant, W. Vance and Thomas D. Snyder (1986), Digest of Education Statistics, 1985-86, Washington, DC: Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education.
5.
Inman, M. (1978), Language in Education: Theory and Practice, Arlington, VA: Center for Applied Linguistics.
6.
Ricks, D. A. , M. Y. F. Fu, and J. S. Arpan (1974), International Business Blunders, Columbus, OH: Grid.
7.
Thanopoulos, J. and J. W. Leonard (1986), International Business Curricula: A Global Survey, Cleveland: Academy of International Business.
8.
Wilkins, E. J. and M. R. Arnett (1976), Languages for the World of Work, Salt Lake City: Olympus Research.
