Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kiddirts]

Just wondering...how do you run your business classes? I have some of them that want strictly conversational topics, but they lack conversation skills and they're driving me nuts. Also, I give the more advanced classes some photo copies to study out of some business books I got, but these people aren't students, they're workers and after a long day, they don't have the time to study and benefit from what I give them. Also, I have another one where I print out articles and we discuss them, but I'm almost out of topics...I mean, what stuff from the current events or news field do you talk about besides, NK, Terrorism, Us foreign policy, Business news (gets old quick) and, uh...uh...? I checked this site for business class ideas, but I think most of the executives I teach would laugh at ice-breaker-esque teaching lessons and fire my ass.

[Skippy]

Find what Business they operate in. If it is computers talk about thinks like piracy, computer security. If it is Insurance try to find a few related articles or thinks related to that. Another idea is to consider getting a book of business like Rich Dad, Poor Dad. or One Minute Manager and try and talk about that.

But have you tested the ice breaker stuff. I have a book full of questions like "if you could have any superpower what would you want"? If the ice breaker stuff bombs go back to business.

Also I do not believe you can run out of articles on business and current events. Try a better magazine like the Economist.

Good Luck, Please do keep us informed about how it goes.

Skippy the Evil Twin

[kangnamdragon]

I enjoy flying business class.

[Gollum]

I taught some 1 1/2 hour business classes in the past. They were a mixture between advanced students and middle to low-level. We split them into three separate classes. The advanced class was with an advertising firm, so I taught them with articles out of a book called, "Business Class" which I bought for a whopping 30,000 won at Bandi/Lundi's in COEX. It's a heck of a good book for business stuff -- especially leaning towards companies and company advertising (but not entirely advertising). I passed out copies of the articles -- advanced though. Tons of articles and vocabulary/other exercises based off of the articles. Lots of other stuff I didn't use, too -- like case studies, etc.

There are some good business books out there, but there is a LOT of crap, too.

In the lower-level classes, we focused on reading and writing (that was their desire). I had a much easier book with articles in it. We'd discuss those and write summaries.

For the remaining 15 minutes in both classes, I taught idioms from my favorite idioms book, "Idioms for Everyday Use" by Broukal.

[peppermint]

I don't believe there are students too low for conversation. Teach them a grammar point and then build a conversation around it. For example today, I was reviewing past tense with a low level class, and I had a handful of questions on "Have you ever. . "

As for the advanced ones- try Reuters.com, CNN, and I really like USA today, because the language isn't really difficult. These are people- not just suits. Try something a little less serious. I've dragged in advice columns from askmen.com and gotten rave reviews from classes of businessmen before.

[Kiddirts]

hey that's some great advice...I like the idea about discussing Dear Abby like problems, thanks Peppermint.

[Arthur Fonzerelli]

why even take it seriously? just shoot the breeze for an hour...that's what they really want anyway...

[Skippy]

yea shooting the breeze could be what they want. But they may actually want some serious teaching. And shooting the breeze gets awfully boring. And that can even get you in trouble down the line with the school and the students.

With adults are like children. They need fun and interesting but they need a structured plan to grow.

Skippy the Evil Twin

[gypsyfish]

Or you could get a business English textbook and teach them skills they could use in the office. Taking and leaving telephone messages, running meetings and negotiation are a lot more important than Dear Abby and the current events from the newspaper. There's a place for that, too - small talk, before and after meetings - but there's a lot more to business English than shooting the breeze.

If your class just wants to BS for an hour, do it; they are the customers, but if they want a real class, I say, give it to them.

Simon Sweeney wrote an excellent book called Communicating in Business: American English Edition Student's book : A Short Course for Business English Students. The tapes provide good listening exercises with a variety of accents and there is a lot of pair work practice and role play. When I taught business English, my students liked it.

Good luck.