In 1978 a study was initiated to determine the use and importance of foreign language proficiency in Pennsylvania businesses. Two hundred eighty-four respondents represented the commercial, health, and municipal domains. Positive responses (indicating employment of personnel skilled in languages other than English) were received from 41% of businesses, 60% of health care facilities, and 79% of municipalities, thus from 43% of total respondents. The survey revealed the following trends: (1) 85% of positive responders have employees with foreign language proficiency; (2) fewer than 25% of employers include an item on language proficiency on employment applications, and fewer than 20% would consider such proficiency for promotion; (3) the most important language in all categories was Spanish, with Italian, German, and French appearing less than half as frequently (this discrepancy was less pronounced with business respondents); (4) change in client attitude brought about by foreign-language-skilled personnel seemed most important in the health field (52%); and (5) 62% of the businesses felt that expansion might increase their needs for language proficient employees. The responding organizations are listed in an appendix. Results are reported in tabular and graphic form. (JB)
