English use in the workplace and stress effects. A study on the possible stress effects of increased use of English in the workplace in Iceland

• Main Author: Valgerður Gunnarsdóttir 1981-
• Other Authors: Háskóli Íslands
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Enska; Vinnustaðir; Streita; Málnotkun; Málskilningur; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/19636

The main objective of the study was to examine a possible relationship between English use in the workplace and perceived work stress by conducting a survey among several Icelandic companies. A review of some of the literature on English use in Iceland is presented as well as a short review of work stress factors. Data was gathered from workers’ perceived stress in the workplace, perceived English proficiency, and perceived amount of English used in the workplace. Analyses from the data revealed that participants who used English often or very often in the workplace were more likely to experience stress in the workplace. According to literature on workplace stress, it can be a stress factor when workers’ skills do not match the job requirements. Research on English use in Iceland suggests that Icelanders might be overestimating their English skills. Although this research will not answer the question whether those struggling with English communication skills experience more stress than those with a high proficiency in English, this will be a first attempt to identify an understudied aspect of Icelandic workplace stress.