Many Asians however are wasting no time in improving their English. The resident of the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, has a marketing degree, but not a marketing job. Last year, he impresses a Taiwan computer magazine with his marketing qualifications, but he didn t get the job. The interviewers feared that he wouldn t be able to grasp new marketing tactics, most of which are communicated in English. More employees are requiring English all the time, says manager Rocky Yang.
Army officers seeking promotion in South Korea face tougher English standards.
The army s rationale is that soldiers are increasingly likely to join foreign troops in military operations, so the need to be able to speak English. In February, IBM Japan joined a growing list of companies in setting English standards for managers. Low-level managers don t have to be fluent, but they have to come close, says Toshio Saito, director of Human resources. Those who still don t pass a test will need English lessons won t be considered for many of the company s jobs. Down Top English-speaking leaders are in evidence throughout Asia.