Description

What is Business English?

Business English is used in various business contexts, such as international trade, commerce, finance, insurance, banking, and many office settings. It entails expectations of clarity, particular vocabulary, and grammatical structures.

Therefore, there’s a lot more to learning a second (or third or fourth!) language because languages are used differently in these different contexts.

For example, everyone speaks to their boss differently than their grandparents. We all write differently for different contexts as well. A text message is certainly not going to be the same as a formal business report.

What kinds of business skills are covered when learning Business English?

Business English focuses on developing both the language and the style of typical business skills. The student may well have these skills in his or her own language, but Business English stresses the difference in style required for conducting business in English. The focus is on courteous language that attracts, establishes and sustains good business. These skills are primarily for dealing with customers, clients and colleagues.

What are these specific skills?

Speaking skills: telephone conversations, negotiations, presentations, meetings and socialising in the work place.
Workplace writing skills: minutes, emails, faxes, reports, letters, memos, etc.
General business areas: general management, human resources, marketing, finance and administration.

Presentation Skills

One of the things most people put down as their biggest fear is having to do a presentation to a large group of people. It’s even scarier if you have to do it in another language! If you work for an international company it is quite likely that you or a member of your team will need to officially present your company to someone else at some point. You may need to present your company to visiting clients, potential investors, new suppliers or managers.

Clarity in business writing

When using English for business contexts, it is vitally important to be as clear as possible and leave nothing to interpretation. If you are unclear in your business writing or speaking, you often waste time and risk losing money. This is different from literature, for example, where a lot is left up to the interpretation of the reader.

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