In
the global environment, it has become common for non-native English speakers to
study business English as a specific tool, with the aim of interacting with
English-speaking countries, or with companies that use English as a shared
language. The reason we learn business vocabulary is because there are specific
words and phrases used in business English that are more formal and appropriate
than general English. In the world of trade and business,
communication is typically made in English. Working in business, you’ll be
expected to conduct business negotiations and transactions in English, as well
as write and respond to memos, emails, contracts, reports and agreements in
English (depending on how strong your command of English is). The employees
also look professional and seem proficient in the language, employees also
learn to use the correct formality with the right people.

There
are many professions that use ESP (e.g. law, aviation, medical, tourism,
science and technology). If you do not know the specific English vocabulary or
grammar you will not achieve international business relations. There are some who
argues that business English and General English is not so different, but
unfortunately that is not true. The objective is efficient and affective
communication by using industry specific words and phrases. You can surely
ascertain that if a company’s employees cannot communicate effectively, the
company can lose out on big business deals, commercial trading and even lose
clients and bring company profits down. Yet, before a student or employee can
start taking business English, he or she must have a good general English level
of intermediate or higher comprehension. There are ways that you can teach
business English to less experienced English learners; it is just going to take
longer and more planning for them to learn it. It is important that you, as the
teacher, inform the company if their deadline is realistic for the level the
students are at. The time constraints the students may have will even make it
more difficult for students to learn the targeted vocabulary or grammar points
needed in the business. So always do a needs analysis, placement test and
diagnostic test to have a good idea of what grammar points and vocabulary
points need to be focused on and fulfilling the students’ needs. By using up to
date material and adapting the lesson material to better achieve their
objectives and goals. Motivation is also going to affect the lessons: the
student may be under pressure from work, cannot come to class because they have
a work meeting, problems at home, the list goes on. The teacher must identify
the problem and apply the correct motivation for the student or even help with
time management and study methods to help them to learn as smoothly and as
efficiently as possible. Also incorporate all the senses and use the students’
skills to develop their pronunciation and use of phrases.              

It
is for that reason I have chosen to teach the vocabulary that is related and
used by the Italian business men to improve their pronunciation as well as
understanding the correct phrases to be used and how to be polite and
professional when conducting business in English.

I
have chosen to make my lesson as communicative as possible, because business
English is all about communication, thus students need to hear the language
being spoken at the actual speed it is used in real life. Students will also
learn the proper intonation of the language (by my correction and teaching).
Students hear the correct pronunciation of words through listening, so it will
help them with accent reduction. Fluency, accuracy and listening are but three
of the skills the students are going to learn.

There
are specific skills a business English student needs to conduct successful
business in English, like: listening and responding accurately; remembering key
points in a meeting to use pauses and fillers to keep a conversation going in
the right direction and giving other people the opportunity to talk and convey
their ideas and meaning. These skills are key for developing trust, maintaining
reputation and communicating with customers.

The
benefit from these activities gives the students real life application that
they can use. All of the presentations, listening, writing, and reading
exercises the students do in class, help them to gain the confidence they need
to work in today’s fast-paced business world. Not only do students learn
valuable language skills, but they also develop an understanding of how to work
in complicated business environments. The activities also helps listening and
responding skills so that they can execute effective meetings and conferences,
remembering key points in a meeting so that there can be no misunderstandings
or confusion after the meeting. Student’s fluency will improve and they will be
able to sound more professional and be able to build better relations and
conduct presentations to foreign partners. By using pauses and fillers students
can keep a conversation going in the right direction, improve their client
relationships or even end the conversation in a polite and professional manner.
Giving someone the chance to speak and knowing when and how to interrupt them
without being confrontational is a skill the students will also learn. Every business
man/woman needs to learn set phrases to make it easier to speak and listen to
people conducting a meeting, giving a presentation or at a work functions where
they need to network and build their company name. My activities also give the
students vocabulary they can practice giving them confidence and ensuring
effective and efficient communication. It also gives them the ability to build
great business relationships with international companies. By incorporating
group work, the demotivated or self-conscious student will receive motivation
and a boost of confidence from the rest of the group to be able to use the
correct business English vocabulary.

In
conclusion, communication is the heart and soul of business and it is for that
reason my lesson plan focuses greatly on communication, team work and constant learning
of true self-discovery, role-playing and group work with peer correction.