Communication patterns and language use in four national and multinational companies operating in Taiwan illustrate the potential for communication problems when more than one language is in use. The companies include Texas Instruments, Kaohsiung Monomer Company, Ltd., Bank of America, and Cheng-Yia International Corporation. In the four companies, the English and Chinese language proficiency levels vary greatly among management and workers, with pressures for use of a particular language occurring at different work levels and in different work relationships. It is recommended that English language instruction in Taiwan focus more on developing skill levels, providing situational information about language use, and developing interpersonal communication skills for use within the workplace. Improved Chinese language training for English-speaking expatriates in Taiwan is also recommended. (MSE)