Job Discussion Forums

[DirtGuy]

Aside from making money, what are they looking for regarding English lessons? Writing business letter, etiquette, public speaking, etc.? I'm hoping to do privates with business people and I want to pick up some relevant books while I have the chance. This brings up my next question; Is it better to buy relevant books from a bookstore in the States and adapt your lessons or rely on EFL text books geared to business people?

Thanks.

DirtGuy

[7969]

If you have to teach any writing at all, or if that's what some of your students want, then a good business writing handbook would be useful. I use one, and I also use a proofreading textbook with lots of basic proofreading exercises (a weakness I've found with students in a writing class). I bought these books and others on Amazon and had them shipped to China.

[Babala]

I use the Business Builder series by Paul Emmerson. There are great worksheets in there. The series covers the subjects that your students will want to learn including meeting language, presentations, telephone skills and negotiations.

[Mr. English]

Most of them want to focus on improving their speaking and listening skills, as these are typically significantly weaker than their reading and writing skills. They often use their reading and writing skills on a daily basis, communicating will foreigners via email and occasionally writing something more substantial, but in most cases do not speak English with anyone at all other than you, the tutor, and are hopelessly lost on the occasion that they have to attend meetings where English is spoken. I rarely use books with these people; not to say books are not useful, rather that they refuse all suggestions. I have found what works best, if you can, is to get them to bring material from the job. If they write a report, get them to give you a presentation in English. If they do some research, the same. If they attended an all-day meeting last week, describe what is was about in detail.

[Lobster]

They have different needs. Why don't you just ask them what they want and what tasks they want to specifically work on? Telephone? Meetings? E-mails? Presentations? Travel?

RED

[GeminiTiger]

[JoeThePlumber]

Businessmen in China? I think most are interested in meeting the cute 24-year old blond laowai teacher that just came over from America.

[GeminiTiger]

[Brian Hugh]

The Economist magazine is a good resourse. You may have rewrite the articles and put it in simpler English.
The most difficult thing for Chinese people to do is going to a foreign restaurant( to0 many decisions)

[DirtGuy]

Teaching children? Oh, no, not even in my worst nightmares! I guess I'm going to have to get over this and at least deal with high school age students.

I have been told by foreign businessmen that the singe biggest problem they face is trying to understand what goes on in a meeting. I've used the "Whaddaya Say" course before and it has helped, but I'm always open to suggestion. Anyone had luck with this?

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Well, maybe not everyone as I'm not going to turn into a 20 something blonde anytime soon.

DG

[Babala]

An important topic to do with them is diplomatic language both with speaking and e-mail writing. They tend to be much too direct.

[vashdown2]

In the classes I've given to businessmen/ woman in Paris, I have always used the ITH International Hearld Trivune, or just downloaded articles from the internet that pertain to his/her field...

Always had lots of clients in finance- and some in marketing. They want to be able to discuss their business in English. Teach them vocab for their business, if they don't know it already. Have them bring in reports they are working on, or Power Point presentations, etc...

[Miles Smiles]