Job Discussion Forums

[Galum82]

Hi everyone,

Can someone please explain to me what the term "Business English" means...for instance, what do you teach in a "Business English" class??

[sojourner]

More and more unis and colleges in China,it appears,are running courses in Business English.What you actually teach will probably be very much determined by what is covered in the text book provided,as well as by your particular interests.

However,as many of the text books used in China are pretty woeful,you'll probably have to supplement them with some of your own material.In Business English, the topics could range from business letter writing,to "telephone English",to negotiation skills,to making enquiries,etc.Business English could be used in conjunction with your Oral English classes,eg role playing regarding purchasing of goods,etc.Some aspects of Western Culture can also be included,such as when dealing with politeness,turn- taking,cross-cultural differences,etc.Regarding the cultural aspect of business communication,I found that a couple of the case studies from David Evans' "Decisionmaker" (CUP) quite useful,especially the one on the "Barbecue Party" which deals with cultural differences between various Western peoples and Asians.

There is currently a related thread, on the topic of "TEFL Business Certificate",at Dave's Newbie forum.

Peter

[Spiderman Too]

If you can locate any of the books listed below they will be of great assistance to you. I used them for 5 years and I think they're excellent for teaching business English.

Oxford Press series

Business Venture - beginners
Business Basics - elementary level
Business Objectives - pre-intermediate level
Business Opportunities - intermediate level
Business Options - upper intermediate

also; Oxford Business English Skills

[kimo]

Sorry, but if you have to ask....

A good place to start would be with the texts above. The Business Contacts series of books and tapes was widely available in China and offered a UK slant. This was discussed a year or so ago on the main forum and in the business english (whatever it's called) section.

As well as texts, you might need to consider who your students are. If at a university, I wouldn't worry too much. You'd teach terms, expressions and do things not much different from teaching general English for conversation or writing. However, if you are going to offer private classes and teach real business people or more advanced students, experience and knowledge of the subject would be helpful. For example, you could be teaching how to give meaningful business presentations, write correspondence and business reports. In fact, I have actually had to adapt some courses I taught and add subject matter (e.g. accounting, finance, marketing) because that's what the students wanted and were able to handle at their level of English.

[randyj]

For advanced students, I have used "Making business decisions: real cases from real companies", by Frances Boyd (ISBN 0-201-59281-9). For students below the advanced level, it really boils down to whether they can sustain the kind of discussions necessary. If not, then "business English" amounts to an ordinary course with a vocabulary slanted to business.

[Louis]

I don't know what the Chinese think Business English is, but my dad taught it for years. A big element of the course was how to use business communication methods (letters, memos, reports, etc...) effectively, with appropriate format and vocabulary.

Of course, depending on the competence of your students, you may well spend more time correcting spelling mistakes and Chinglish expressions...

[lagerlout2006]

Perhaps the books Spiderman suggests are good--sure they are.

But shouldn't people just worry about speaking English properly rather than this odd idea of Business English...Perhaps for businessmen talking about booze sports and hookers is the best bet. But I guess if the class is done well it's OK.

[Roger]

Your typical Chinese English student will be pretty clueless both as to good English in general as well as to Western or international business norms, etiquette and customs in particular.

A few "Business English" textbooks I have come across here were much the same as ordinary English textbooks though thematically centred on the business world; so a lesson would see "Joe from the U.S.A." meeting "Mr Zhou Wangming from Suzhou" in a typical business dialogue - quoting prices, converting them into foreign currencies, talking about shipment, discounts, future deals, bill of lading, and an obligatory slap on the shoulder of the Chinaman by Joe: "You Chinese are great! I love your food!" or something along those lines.

Pretty narrow, and pretty daft!

Personally, I think your students learn a lot more practical skills by finally learning from an authoritative Westerner how to address people in the West; I don't go for first-name addresses as a businessman or teacher in discussions with people a decade my juniors. Even my university majors still haven't learnt the difference between a SURNAME and a GIVEN NAME! OK, they have - under me!

[nolefan]

Roger's right as usual

I looked at most books in China and that is what they offer; one exeption was the Cambridge BEC preparation book but they are geared towards business men not students. I did however convince my dean that they would be a good choice for the "BusinessEnglish" class that my English majors are taking right now.

I am getting them ready for the book by having them take part in a virtual company in the first couple of weeks... think of it as a large scale monopoly game with interest rates, equity, ROI and just about every business term that comes up on a daily basis. They are learning to write job adds, reports... the whole nine yards. It is not a short term class, I planned the curriculum over 3 semester hoping that I would be the one teaching them all along which might very well be the case.