An Investigation into the English Language Needs of Bank Employees of Saderat Bank in Mashhad

Abstract

With the increase in marketing and trading, recognition of the need for improved English communication skills has been growing among Banking professionals. Need analysis is a chief point to consider in English for Specific Purposes (ESP ) courses for syllabus design and materials development. This study was done in order to understand to what extend Bank employees of Saderat bank in Mashhad need to use English at the present time and future and also to find out what problems in using English they have during their work This research was done in Saderat Banks in Mashhad, in some parts of the central office such as: management department, inspection department, financial marketing and 10 branches with Foreign Exchange departments, Accounting department, Transfer department and Loan department. The participants included 70 bank employees with different job positions. They were asked to answer a questionnaire which include d 33 closed questions and 1 open-ended question to identify English skills that they need in their job, the problems they have in using English and their desire for taking an English training course. Based on the data analysis it became clear that they need speaking skill the most and they have problems with all the skills. They stated that Bank should provide English training courses for them.