Job Discussion Forums

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

It has been mentioned that I may take some Business English classes when I start my position in March...and I had considered doing a short online course to get some ideas...

I will be teaching in Hainan, at a vocational college with students aged between 17 - 22 - some of whom will major in business as well as languages.

What type of subjects would I cover...is the online course worthwhile?

My working experience, is very much clerical and sales orientated, so I would have a few ideas about the sales process, sales presentations, meetings, writing business letters/memo's/quotes, and structures and department in many business settings.....

Are these suitable subjects? What do any of you cover?

jeffinflorida · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject:

Nick:

Business English may have no actual bearing on real Western business practices.

I taught business English in a university. They provided a "textbook" that was poorly written, had many mispellings and other typos, and was not a factual account of business in any sense.

The school didn't even give me a copy of the book. At the first class I noticed many of the students had the same book and they informed me that it was the course book.

After reading it and talking to the students we came to the decision that we would do something different to learn business English.

So, I would caution you from wasting your time preparing for this class until you actually get to the school and find out what their expectations of you are.

In China the term "Business English" may have many meanings...

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

If you are totally new to China and/or to teaching English this job is likely to overwhelm you since your idea of Chinese students and their capabilities will vastly outperform reality.

I suggest you teach them very basic but oh so neglected details such as how to apply for a job.
Try to get them to understand that normal human dialogues routinely differ enormously from the textbook "dialogues" they may have internalised!You will be surprised by the lack of practical knowledge of these guys.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:18 am Post subject:

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Although during my volunteer time in Hainan I was in a Middle School, I have actually been a guest speaker/class assistant in the business classes at the vocational college.

I guess with a combination of knowledge I already have, and the use of the textbook (good or bad) I guess I can put some ideas together.

I would imagine basic things, like role play interviews, sales presentations etc would be fine...any ideas on any classroom aids I could take with me from the Uk for these classes?

Would the online course be worthwhile in terms of my future plans - ie, would it make me more employable? we may know the course is pants, but would a business english specialist course certificate help me in the future?

fraup · Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 4:14 pm Post subject:

If you are in the UK now I'd suggest getting some BE texts with cassette tapes/videos. Check the Longman/Oxford/Cambridge web sites for titles. You may be able to get secondhand copies cheaper. When I was in Shanghai these were hard to come by and horrendously expensive. You can also buy pirated DVDs of films with a business theme (In Good Company, Trading Places, Wall Street, Working Girl etc.) in China unless the govt. has cracked down on the vendors...unlikely!

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

good idea about BE tapes.....Ill scan ebay...

Shame on you for suggesting I buy pirate DVDs!!!

InTime · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 1676 Location: CHINA-at-large

Consider Role Plays based upon:

*Donald Trump's APPRENTICE TV show
*"Dealing with Difficult People"