Teaching Business English is an ESL specialization focusing on business terminology, related topics, and corporate culture. It is frequently taught on-site to company employees, but you could also teach the same in private English classes online or offline. So, if you plan to start a course or improve the existing one in your curriculum, you have come to the right place.
Read on to understand the aim and purpose of such a course and what are the strategies that can enhance the learning experience. Moreover, deliver better results.
5 Methods of Teaching Business English
Here are 5 methods that you can take the assistance to better your business English course and help your students –
1. Learn About the Contexts in Which Students use English
Discussing the reasons behind the eagerness to join such a course is an important part of the analysis process. It will include two essential questions –
- What is the reason for learning business English?
- Who do the students converse with at their workplace, and what is the circumstance?
Now, individuals learning English to improve their fluency will not have similar expectations and requirements as the one supervising a team working in a different country. A point to take note of here is that modern businesses operate globally. Hence one has to deal with other non-native speakers as well.
Therefore, a good idea of cross-cultural communication and how people from different backgrounds conduct business is a good idea. In addition to numerous books on cross-cultural communication, there are various resources on the internet.
2. Be Careful When Choosing Your Material
Learners will expect you to bring materials to class, just as they would in a general English classroom. A variety of books and online resources are available, but selecting materials that create ‘authentic’ classroom situations is crucial. There is no doubt that learners themselves are the most important resource. If they have a job that requires them to read and comprehend or to create and present stuff, they can provide you with real-world materials from their jobs. This could be in the form of emails, leaflets, reports, or PowerPoint presentations. Learners will most likely expect you to utilize some of this material to curate your worksheets.
3. Maintain a Professional Approach
To make the right impression, always try teaching business English in a like way. This influences what you say and how you act and what you wear. If you are looking forward to working in a company, you must be punctual, professional, and knowledgeable.
Therefore, in your classroom, you should maintain that decorum as well. Now, it is difficult to control the dress code, but not wearing flip-flops can be a good thumb rule.
Moreover, in an English business classroom, the students’ talking time is likely much higher. Hence, ensure ample chances for collaborative task work and speaking practice. Reading and writing should be reserved for self-study or homework whenever possible.
4. Understanding Is the Key
Remember that understanding businesspeople is the key to teaching them. Getting to know them better will help you focus your lessons on their needs. Moreover, your curriculum should be relevant and appropriate to their requirements. Along with that, you should speak politely and use business language for a more professional approach. This will help you make a positive impression on your students.
5. Let Them See Their Improvements
Because businesspeople are accustomed to seeing results, they seek them. Therefore, they must monitor progress and ensure that their investments are paying off. You are more likely to gain long-term and satisfied customers if they can see their improvements. It’s a good place to start by telling them what they used to do and how things are better now. In this matter of monitoring, Wise App can be your ideal partner. With this online teaching platform, you can track your student’s progress, make reports and help them understand where they are lacking.
Teaching business English can be both interesting and rewarding. It helps you as a teacher to understand the issues that professionals face in their daily life, and you can use these learnings to help your younger students, who are in schools and colleges. So, if you plan to begin a course like this, use the aforementioned pointers to your advantage.
