English Needs of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): The Multinational and National Companies’ Voice in Indonesia

Abstract

The vast growths of multinational and national companies to world-class companies in Indonesia result in the advanced demand for English mastery in every working sector including Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). This article aims at investigating the needs and actual use of English in a working environment specifically at OSH. This research adopted mix method which use questionnaire and open-ended interview to obtain the data on the needs of English in OSH field matching to the prerequisite test in recruitment as well as the use of English from fifteen multinational and national companies. The result of the investigation revealed that English certification positioned as a prerequisite test and getting a high priority in job recruitment. When recruiting, companies expect at least an intermediate level for English. Recruits at least have to be able to manage communicative competence for daily conversation and perform a solid knowledge and skills of general OSH vocabulary. Productive skills are more required for communicating to expatriates, leading the meeting, doing a presentation, writing a report and designing Standard Operational Procedure (SOP). This research implies that in spite of position as the foreign language in Indonesia, English has a vital role in the working environment.

Saudi English for specific purpose students’ attitudes toward the learning of English language: An investigative study

“…This conclusion is consistent with the findings of Norris-Holt ( 2001), which found that the majority of students chose "communication with foreigners" above all others as their primary reason for studying English. It also concurs with Bin-Hady and Al-Tamimi (2021); Haryati et al (2020), who found that their participants wanted to use the English language to communicate with their colleagues from abroad. Furthermore, this is in line with the findings of (Hatori, 1977, cited in Treephongphan, 2005, which found that among the major factors contributing to the students' loss of interest were their inability to understand the information being presented in class and the English curriculum being taught as a subject and not as a language for communication.…”

Is It Essential for Occupational Health and Safety Experts to Know the English Language? Results From Several Studies in Latvia

“…Looking at the relevant studies from other non-English speaking countries, English language knowledge has already been recognized as a vital competence in many companies and workers in the OSH context even before the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the English language skills were identified in playing an essential role in the working environment and with OSH in Indonesia ( 20 ), but these conclusions have been based on other aspects. The study states that sufficient skills of the English language are “more required for communicating to expatriates, leading the meeting, doing the presentation, writing reports and designing Standard Operational Procedure.” A survey in the Philippines has shown that the low language proficiency of employees in the workplace limits their growth potential in the workplace and negatively impacts worker safety ( 21 ).…”

“…Firstly, additional efforts should be made to raise awareness of employers on the importance and added value to the OSH, and on the general business performance of the company in case the company employs well-educated OSH experts. Therefore, during the recruitment process of OSH experts, attention should be paid if the applicant has solid knowledge and skills of general OSH vocabulary ( 20 ). Secondly, it should be mentioned that one of the simplest and most efficient ways is to invest in the development of a specialized language training program by designing the English for Specific Purposes course for OSH experts ( 20 ).…”

“…Therefore, during the recruitment process of OSH experts, attention should be paid if the applicant has solid knowledge and skills of general OSH vocabulary ( 20 ). Secondly, it should be mentioned that one of the simplest and most efficient ways is to invest in the development of a specialized language training program by designing the English for Specific Purposes course for OSH experts ( 20 ). Good results can be achieved by creating a contextual curriculum and lesson plans, using a variety of innovative and attractive activities according to the interests of the OSH experts, and discussing topics that are close to their professional environment ( 24 , 25 ).…”

Addie model course design for the creative industry department

“…This research applied the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) to develop the course and the materials. There have been several studies in the ESP field which focused on the needs of the students (Aldohon, 2014;Gestanti et al, 2019;Haryati et al 2019, Hariyanto et al 2022, Khalid 2016), but there have not been a number of research using the full ADDIE model. Therefore, this research will give insight for the other teachers to use this ADDIE model in their program.…”