Job Discussion Forums

Angel46 · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 51 Location: Hangzhou

I received my University Class Schedule Friday - start classes Monday. However, the Office told me they were sorry but they have NO BOOKS for my classes (8 English Major classses, 2 different levels). I was asked if I really WANTED a book? Of course I said, just like last year! Personally, I like to follow a textbook and then supplement accordingly. I was also asked if I could RECOMMEND a book! Classes start Monday, right?! Not much time to go out and order books for 300 students, or to start creating Lesson Plans from scratch! This university has been around since 1988! Unbelievable!

MY QUESTION: Can anyone recommend a 'decent' University/College BUSINESS ENGLISH textbook? I am tired of talking about topics such as Transportation, Superstitions, Feelings, and Relationships. Surely my English Majors must be ready to tackle some good Business topics.

Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

Are you in Beijing?

If so go to New Oriental school's bookstore.

If not find out if they have a New Oriental school in your area and check out their bookstore they have a Chinese/English business book that is pretty good.

It is advanced enough to keep the English majors happy.

They only have a few books in this area so chances they should carry it.

This book is common in Beijing.

"Business English -College English studies" is the title sorry I fogot the author. I'm not in Beijing to check my copy.

Those bookstores should carry it.

jwbhomer · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA

Maybe SnoopBot is referring to the Cambridge BEC series? I used those when teaching for one university's so-called College of Management, and found them very good. I'm afraid I can't give you publishing details as I left those books behind when I came home. The university I worked for had them in its bookshop (surprise, surprise) and I found them at Book City too.

Kram · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 152 Location: In a chair

I'd recommend 'Market Leader' Intermediate published by Pearson/Longman.

I'm pretty sure I saw a set in the foreign bookstore, near (one of the never ending) McDonalds in the mall in Beijing - but that was a while ago and it was expensive... so obviously the students couldn't afford it, but it would be my first choice as a supplement...

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

Angel46 · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 51 Location: Hangzhou

Actually, I have TONS of Business Books I can use to supplement my classes. What I am looking for now is a cheap College/University English book that focusses on Business which I can then recommend they go out and purchase for my 300+ students.

There is a New Oriental school here in Hangzhou, so I will definitely check that out - thanks!

Thanks again for everyone's help.

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

The Cambridge University Press has a Cambridge Professional English series has a set of books geared to the BEC. Perhaps these are are the books under discussion. I have used both and they are very well-organized and complete and easy to use, especially if you also have the accompanying Teacher's Book and CD. Each series also has a Home Study Book which is a workbook that extends the lessons in the Student's Book.

The entry level is titled "Getting Ahead: A communication skill course for Business English" by Sarah Jones-Macziola and Greg White. ISBN is 7-5080-2225-6. Student's Book cost is 35 RMB and the Teacher's Book is 22 RMB.

The next level is titled "New International Business English" by the well-known Leo Jones and Richard Alexander. ISBN is7-5080-2227-0. Student Book cost is 39 RMB and Teacher's Book is 38 RMB.

You can find these texts at any Xinhua bookstore with a reasonably-sized Foreign Language section. No need to hunt out a New Oriental school.

I have used both books a number of times and they are excellent. But a caveat: While Getting Ahead is billed as a prep book for BEC 1 and NIBE is billed as a prep for BEC 2 there is, to my mind, a very large difference in levels between the two books; moreso than the difference between BEC 1 and 2. I sometimes find the lessons in Book 1 a little too simple for a particular level of students while the lessons in Book 2 are a just a little too difficult for them. I have often wished they had a series in the middle.

In fact, pulling the books off the shelf just now to get the info on them off the back cover, I just noticed something I had not noticed before. Getting Ahead states on the back cover it is designed for pre-intermediate level students while NIBE states it is designed for upper-intermediate level. That jibes precisely with my experience with both books. They really need a book that falls between these two.

I would suggest that you take a look at both books, then do what I do when I am assigned a class using this series. I make a decision on which book to use after 1 or 2 classes with the students when I have a better idea of their level. The books are not in short supply, and the school can usually get a bulk order delivered within 3 or 4 days.

Angel46 · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 51 Location: Hangzhou

Excellent suggestions - thank you. The added details of pricing and ISBN numbers is particularly appreciated. I will check them out and then recommend them to my school - thanks again!