Abstract:

This paper deals with the issue of corporate language education, the importance of which has grown because of continuing globalisation. The aim of the research presented in this paper is to map the present situation with regards to language education in companies in the Czech Republic. To achieve the aim, a large empirical questionnaire survey was conducted among 179 micro-, 141 small, 164 medium-sized and 123 large companies in the Czech Republic. The survey was constructed around the formulated research questions. The results of the survey revealed that relatively high priority is placed on language education in companies in the Czech Republic, in particular in large and mediumsized companies. Large and medium-sized companies perceive foreign language education as an integral part of corporate education. These companies use foreign languages very often and require good knowledge of foreign languages from their employees. However, the fact that, on the one hand, companies require very good knowledge of foreign languages and support language education to a significant extent, and, on the other hand, they feel the need to improve the language knowledge of their employees, implies that a systematic approach is not applied. A systematic approach to language education in companies can therefore help companies to improve their present situation and the effectiveness of language education as well.