Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lammalord]

Hello, I've been Korea for about 2 months now at a pretty decent Hagwon - but have come across a problem me and one of the Korean Teachers have noticed.

Before I arrived here a previous foreign teacher had an Adult Class at the end of Monday nights where he'd teach them Business English for about an hour. I have this class now, but have discovered the book the previous teacher chose is much more difficult the students can understand. I have started making up lessons based on what they want to learn but really think the structure of a Textbook would be much better for everyone involved.

I've been given the go-ahead by my boss to start the hunt for a better textbook and am wondering if anyone on here has any suggestions? The guys (three parents) know a decent amount of English, but are not 100% fluent (I'd say maybe 70-80%) Meaning they don't get more complex concepts.

If I was to put these students on a level with my younger students I'd say they are at a Mid-Level Middle School level (Intermediate level) Any good Business English Textbooks out there?

-Cameron

[big_fella1]

Business Ventures 1 is a great book particularly as all the listening scripts are in the back so you can get students talking by reading the scripts.

Try to avoid Market Leader, its a great book but seriously I have a major in marketing and I had to prepare to teach the marketing chapter. Unless you are teaching business majors its just too hard.

[Lammalord]

haha wow, yes - that Market Leader book is the one the previous teacher got - and it's hard for me to teach and impossible for them to learn.

[Dog Soldier]

I use Business Explorer by Cambridge. It's decent but I do supplement it with some extra stuff.

[Lammalord]

ah, I'm looking at samples of both books, actually like the Business Explorer better, just because it has more descriptions of why you do certain things, where Ventures just gives a listening script and asks the students "why do you think this is happening" Would feel I'd need some business experience to better teach that book.

[Brooks]

Business Ventures 2 would be ok too.
It keeps things simple so it is easier than Market Leader,
which is just too text heavy.

I use Get Ready for Business 2 from MacMillan.
It is for university students so it might not be appropriate.
It does have TOEIC practice in the back.
I think it is pretty good. It is at the pre-intermediate level.

I will use a different business book in the fall, so I would like to know what other books are good at the pre-intermediate level.

[Ruthdes]

Which Market Leader were you teaching them? There are 5 different levels which, in my experience, take care of most learners. I used them a lot when teaching adults and found them to be effective.

These are what are available, or were 12 months ago when I was still teaching adults. There were new editions becoming available at that time.
Elementary
Pre-Intermediate
Intermediate
Upper-Intermediate
Advanced

They don't cater for absolute beginners, but everyone else is pretty well covered. The teachers guides are really useful if you don't have a business background. They're also good because the include a lot of different accents in the listening exercises.

I feel that true business English is going to be text heavy because the concepts are reasonably complicated. You can still make your class discussion and activity based.

[korea.teacher]

I also had difficulty finding an appropriate text to fit my classes.

As an alternative, I created a blog with student lessons focused on their interests.

[hacheondo]

Business Vocabulary in Use by Cambridge.
Breakingnewsenglish.com for your own materials.

BVinU can be easily supplemented by you making up some tasks based on the lessons, so that it's not just vocab learning.

[hacheondo]

Another idea:

If you have access to internet, go to Youtube and find an interesting video clip -- you can then write out the script to a one or two minute show, e.g., Seinfeld, Desperate Housewives, news cast etc. Show the video, practice listening, (fill in gaps), vocab, make dialogues, discuss issues, etc. There's so much you can do with one minute of a show. It takes about an hour to make the lesson plan, but IMO it's worth it.

[PRagic]

http://www.esl-lounge.com/eslbooks7.php

http://www.eslgold.com/business/textbooks.html

http://www.eslcafe.com/bookstore/business.html

http://www.amazon.com/Business-English-Conversation-EFL-ESL-Classroom/dp/158112712X

[Stan Rogers]

You might want to also consider business books that are catered to Korean students. Many of the suggestions mentioned are international editions published outside of Korea. I never liked the international publications that much. Perhaps it's my teaching style, but look around. Check out Kyobo bookstore if you are in Seoul. I found some good books there that worked well in my classes. Many of them I could not find on the internet. Explore all the options out there.