A literature review, undertaken in preparation for a study of French regional needs for workforce English language instruction at the college level, covers research on this topic in areas of France and other non-English-speaking countries, student perspectives on language needs and motivation for learning English, linguistic issues in addressing language needs in various professions and vocations, instructional implications of these issues, and the role of needs assessment in developing instructional programs. It is concluded that question of English language usage and needs in the workplace is a relevant and topical subject, not only in France but also in other countries, and that researchers focused on various aspects of language use, including which skill types were used most often: e.g., written vs. oral language; the kind of language needed in professional situations (formal vs. informal); and how often English is used. The process and purposes of need assessment and conditions favorable for implementation of change are also of common concern. Contains 33 references. (MSE)