Purpose -The aim of this study is to examine the German language needs of employees in multinational companies in Malaysia and the expectations of employers in the teaching of German in their companies. As an additional variable, training for sustainable development (ESD) is included. The language learning needs are described and worked as a basis for the development of language programs for adults. A special main focus is on the local situation in Malaysia and the situations that may arise in Germany during the posting to the headquarters of the respective company.Design / methodology / approach -The mixed-mode research method is chosen in order to obtain a spectrum of ideas about the teaching of German in German Companies in Malaysia International Journal of Linguistics ISSN 1948-5425 2015 www.macrothink.org/ijl 95 (qualitative research) and to conduct a review of the German education (quantitative research). The needs analysis addressed the employers, employees and teachers in a survey period of about four weeks using a questionnaire.Results -The results of the needs assessment show a discrepancy between supply and demand in terms of the required skills in the German language as well as other skills that are regarded by employers as extremely important. In particular, skills that are necessary in key competencies and techniques are clearly required, but hardly included in class. Thus, the results of this needs assessment provide concrete starting points for the improvement of teaching German and with this, the improvement of communicative competence in the workplace.Originality / Benefits -This study contributes to the current issues concerning the German mediation requirements: How can the demand for German at the workplace be detected and exactly described? What methods are available, which studies at home and abroad already exist?