Job Discussion Forums

[Thomas]

Hello
I am about to start my first TEFL job in Spain. I�m teaching Business English to people who are quite high up in the hierarchy of one of the big banks. The problem is that I�m 22, with little business experience and I�ve been told that it will be difficult for me to win over my students at first because of this lack of experience.
Has anyone got any experience of a similar situation?
Any tips you might be able to give me will be greatly appreciated, as I�m slightly nervous about getting off to a bad start...
Thanks

[dyak]

Invest in some good books - let the quality of your materials win them over. If you believe it, they'll believe it.

[denise]

Give them tasks (homework???) based on their jobs. If they are constantly holding meetings and giving presentations at work, do a simulated meeting/presentation in class. If they have to write a lot of reports, memos, etc., have them bring them to class to analyze the language, and have them write hypothetical memos/reports.

d

[shmooj]

I remember being in a very similar situation back then.... my tip is to be (or fake if necessary) confidence about the language itself but, on no account, start to espouse on anything to do with business itself. In fact, use your business ignorance to your advantage and pass the buck to your students to explain business issues. This will give them the practice they need.

In fact, teaching business does not, IMO, require that much experience of the business world until you are dealing with intermediate issues such as negotiation etc. In any case, good materials will explain the business background for you in the teacher's notes.

but like I said, whenever you realise you haven't got a clue about the business world, simply ask your students to explain it to you. Now, inside yourself you may be thinking "Downsizing? What the heck is that?" Don't let on you are ignorant of it, simply say "Okay, now I'd like you to tell me about downsizing." If they don't know what the term means, ask them to look it up in a good dictionary or glossary or find out for next week or whatever. Meanwhile you can do your own homework in your own time as opposed to under pressure. If they do know, they will tell you and you will learn (though they will never know you didn't know).

Be confident about the English which, after all, is what you are getting paid for anyway. You'll pick up business teaching in no time...