Business English Syllabus

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 549.

Business English is not only English for Specific Purpose (ESP) or an international language. The English for Business syllabus is likely to be defined primarily in relation to business performance skills such as meetings, presentations, socializing, or report-writing. Within these skills areas, certain concepts are typically discussed and expressed: for example, describing changes and trends, quality, product, process and procedures strategy.

Globalization, especially terms of trade, environmental policies, and oil politics, whether managed wisely or not, will also lead to shifts in the European business environment. Today's business environment is globalizing rapidly. The idea of the global village is becoming reality.

International businesspeople have a need to make contact with others whom they never met before, or know only slightly. Meetings are often short because businesspeople are pressed for time. There is a need for an internationally accepted way of doing things so that people from different cultures, and with different mother tongues, can quickly feel more comfortable with one another.

Social contacts are often highly ritualized. Formulaic language is used in context of a routine pattern of exchanges. A certain style is generally adopted which is polite but also short and direct. Although some situations may require more than this, the style and content of social interactions will be typified by a desire to build a good relationship while avoiding over familiarity.

Business English is an area of ESP that is relatively poorly researched. Rigorous linguistic analysis is fragmented and is more frequently based on the written forms of language such as correspondence, annual reports, and articles in business journals. Some kinds of analysis have been carried out with respect to the language of meetings and discussions, but there is still little to support course developers beyond their own first-hand experience gained in the field.