Teaching Business English

The Bottom Line

 Teaching Business English
But I don’t know anything about business!

You do know something about English.

Much of Business English is already familiar to you:
cultural differences, small talk, asking about prices,
etc.
Individual classes tend to be very focused; when you
know the focus, you can learn what you don’t already
know.
 Teaching Business English
Why is the student studying Business English?

Directed to do so by company?
Chose to do so to advance career?
Studying or considering studying business?
 Teaching Business English
Know Your Student

What does the student do?

What is the student’s department?
What does the student’s boss expect?
How does the student expect to use English?
What are the student’s expectations of the teacher?
 Teaching Business English
Know Your Student’s Company and Industry

Prepare as if your first class is a job interview.

Research the company.
Research the industry.
Research the function/job.
Specialized vocabulary is important, but not
necessarily essential.
 Teaching Business English
The Business English Student

Business students tend to be professional, serious,

motivated, and cooperative.
Students may be in Sales, Marketing, HR, Finance,
Accounting, R&D, etc. All have their own needs and
tend to have their own stereotypical personalities.
Students tend to be very focused on their goal.
Students tend to be older, more experienced, and tired
from a long day at work.
 Teaching Business English
Content / Teaching the Class

AMIO has courseware.

Case studies are a common feature of business education.
Role playing is important (meetings, negotiations,
telephoning, etc.)
Writing may be more important than for other students
(emails, memos, reports, etc.)
Remember, you are not teaching business, you are there
to help with the language.
 Teaching Business English
Remember

Preparation may take longer than for other classes.

It’s ok to ask questions. You aren’t an expert in your
student’s field. They may know more related
vocabulary/jargon than you, but you know (or can find
out) how they can properly use those words in a
sentence.
Prepare well and be confident.
A motivated student is a joy to teach.
Questions?