Job Discussion Forums

misstutti · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 2

What are options/credential requirements for teaching business English to adults abroad?

After 20 years of substantial experience in corporate communications -- in global companies -- I've been laid off and don't think I'll work in this field again since I found out that I am now considered "old." (I'm 53 and way too young to take to the rocking chair!)

I have an excellent facility with language and a sophisticated understanding of business language and its nuances in the global marketplace....so it seems that teaching business English would make perfect sense. I'm willing to go to Asia, Europe -- really anywhere. Question

I need to know more, though. What kinds of certification/training are required? Is my skill set attractive to a potential employer? Who are potential employers (for teaching business English)? Where are opportunities?

I appreciate any insight you can provide. Thanks!
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tedkarma · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:05 pm Post subject:

I would suggest a TEFL Cert of some sort - just for method. But it also depends a lot on your current education.

I have an M.Ed. and MBA and have been lucky enough at times to teach business - which is much more enjoyable than teaching English - but the TEFL cert and English would give you a good back up income. And often the jobs I have had teaching business or even business English came about from primarily English teaching jobs.

Can you tell us what your current degree or diplomas are - and your major?

BTW, I am 53 also - so don't worry about your age. It will only help prove your knowledge in the business arena.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I agree with tedkarma. Just being an experienced person in a certain field (law, office communications, medicine, etc.) does not mean you can teach English in that area. Get a certificate so you know how to build and present lesson plans. The way you learned English will be different from the way your students will, so you need to know how to teach to them. Besides, you might find yourself teaching some very basic grammar skills before (or at the same time as) you introduce the business English vocabulary and expressions.

misstutti · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 2

I have a B.A. in English and 15 master's-level credits in Humanities. Yes, I need to learn how to teach English, so what do I look for in a certification program? Are business English teachers more likely to be employed by schools or by businesses? I'm thinking that my business background would be attractive -- or would it? I don't want to do this on a lark so I'd like to prepare as best I can. Thanks for your insights!

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:44 pm Post subject:

You sound like the perfect combination for teaching business English. Someone with real business experience - knowing the specialized vocabulary - and someone who really knows English. A true rarity!

What to look for in a TEFL Cert? Check out this page on my website where I address that issue (it's a bit too long for here): http://www.phuketdelight.com/TEFL.htm

For business English - my experience has been that I have taught it at schools where I was hired first and primarily as an EFL teacher - but attractive to the school due to my business education and experience. However, I have done a fair amount of BizEng teaching privately - evening courses to companies (nicely supplementing the income) with places like the Korea Foreign Trade Association, Roche Pharmaceutical (Taiwan) and Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan), and many more. I've also done some business writing (Saudi Arabia), taught straight business classes (Thailand and Saudi) - and so on. It's a good mix - and will keep you quite busy if you wish.

BTW, businesses will know and appreciate your skills. You won't believe some of the silliness I've seen written by English teachers who
thought they knew business English. Some quite hilarious. But - your students will know - just by your sincere interest in their work activities. I spent some great time teaching a couple Earnst Young auditors getting ready to relocate to Australia. Most English teachers couldn't even pretend an interest - or even begin to understand - what these two did for a living. See what I mean?

Another great example was a Business English reading book written by an English teacher with no experience in business. A section of the book was about a sales team that hadn't sold anything and the sales boss called a meeting and told them, "It's okay - people just aren't buying this month." Most of us who have worked in business would know that could/would never happen. The boss would be yelling and shouting at the sales people to get up off their b*tts, threatening to fire them if they didn't get things going! I could give you about a 100 examples of such stuff.

Got the idea? There is a good niche for you in this business.