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The world gets smaller every day due to how connected we are becoming, the increase of technology and the need to trade global and stay competitive. With this comes the increased demand for English and English for specific purpose (ESP), which Business English is a part of. There is a direct correlation to global English, the global citizen and a prospering GDP (Gross Domestic Product) which is the best way to measure a country’s economy. English is the working language of the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations; Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Asia’s economy is prospering and the demand for English has rapidly grown, from the general English spoken in call centres to the business professionals speaking English in the financial institutions which have offshored there. The Asian market is competitive, if it is to continue to grow in the international market, then the part played by the business professional becomes vital. Professionals that speak English as their second language have found that whilst they may be proficient, when it comes to the workplace and the work culture, they are struggling to compete. Knowing the language is not enough, it is the culture and the unspoken English that is vital. Business English can be viewed as the next level, it uses more technical language, and could be considered more precise and formal. The work place or world of business today demands English, with effective communication skills being key to a successful business. Business English could be seen as an international communication tool. The demand for Business English encompasses the receptive skills of listening and learning as well as the productive skills of speaking and writing. In response to demand, language schools now run a far broader range of courses teaching English as a foreign language which includes Business English. These courses cover the many facets of business life; the etiquette, introductions, presentations, meetings, networking, cultural issues worldwide, letter/fax/email writing, messaging, the internet, websites, CV/resume writing, answering the telephone, leaving a message, the list goes on in response to client demand. The courses are often taught in house, that is within a business organisation rather than at a language school or online. Big business, the multi nationals, have found it’s often more practical to bring the teacher to the company rather than send their employees to the language school. Also, by doing it in house, you can use the specific company’s context and use real life examples. Employees are often keen to progress their careers by taking examinations and joining relevant organisations. The limitations on business English are cultural ones. Three business professionals from different parts of the world attending a meeting can hear the same sentence and interpret it differently. There are many different cultures including the Asian one of “saving face”. Ask an Indian businessman if it can be done in time, and they will always say yes. It is their culture to say yes, to please. It is better to ask how long will it take to be done and draw your own conclusion. Business English courses cover the various cultures but the list is not definitive! As a TEFL teacher I need to be aware of the culture my students are bringing to the lesson and plan accordingly.
