Whether you work in Beijing or Berlin, having a solid grasp of business English is vital in the age of globalization. Possessing excellent professional communication skills in English can help get you a dream job, secure a lucrative promotion, impress potential clients, and also make you much more satisfied in your current role.
In this blog post, we give you the lowdown on what business English is, why it’s important, and ways to improve your language skills to benefit you and your career.
What is business English?
Although the definition of business English is broad, at its core, it refers to professional communication skills and knowledge of terms that are used in specific industries or sectors.
For example, a financial analyst will use financial terminology when presenting reports, while a marketing professional will need to know the latest marketing buzzwords to develop effective campaigns.
One of the key differences between business English and general English is the level of formality. In a work setting, the language used is typically more formal and structured than when hanging out with friends.
Yet, although native English speakers consider indirect speech courteous, not being direct in the workplace can lead to misunderstanding when negotiating and making deals. Equally, being too direct can land you in hot water with colleagues or create a confrontational working environment.
Therefore, business English is more than just grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation – it also refers to knowing how to perfectly balance formality with accuracy to communicate your ideas effectively without causing unnecessary arguments.
The importance of business English in the workplace
The rapid increase of globalization (the connection of economies, cultures, and societies) has changed how we work forever.
With over 1.5 billion speakers dotted around the planet, English is the undisputed lingua franca (world language) of our global village. Therefore, no matter which industry you’re in, learning a solid base of business English is crucial.
By having a team that can effectively communicate in professional English, a company is likelier to smash its sales targets by tapping into lucrative markets, finding cheaper suppliers, and securing foreign investment.
If a business wants to be successful, it needs employees who can communicate well in English and work effectively with people from different cultures.
So, on a personal level, negotiating excellent deals and collaborating with colleagues confidently and proficiently in a second language can help you secure that dream job, promotion, or raise in salary.
Benefits of learning business English
Mastering business English comes with its fair share of perks. Some of the key advantages include the following:
More job opportunities
More and more multinational companies are stating on job postings that non-competent English speakers need not apply. And even if not, employers will always favor candidates with high business English on their CV over applicants without, regardless of the company or line of work.
Moreover, having solid communication skills can help you work your way up the promotional ladder and open doors to other career paths, such as marketing, sales, event management, human resources, teaching, and other top professions.
Better professional relationships and increased job satisfaction
Learning business English improves your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
As a result, you’re more likely to build strong professional relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders if you learn this specialized language. In addition, effective communication reduces misunderstanding, helps you stay updated with new developments on projects, and enables you to share your ideas clearly.
So if you feel unfulfilled at work because of your inadequate language skills, studying business English can help.
Boosts confidence
Feel lost in meetings or try and avoid giving presentations because you’ll be misunderstood? Shying away from daily interactions like these can rattle your confidence and transform what was supposed to be your dream job into a nightmare.
Yet, if you put extra effort into obtaining a high level of business English, you will have no problems expressing your thoughts and understanding others. Moreover, sharpening your professional communication skills can combatimposter syndrome(feeling inadequate or underqualified in your role) – especially if your colleagues have a high level of English – and make you feel like you truly belong in the position.
Finally, getting plaudits and positive feedback from workmates for chatting away confidently in front of others, delivering well-written reports, or composing well-written emails in English do wonders for your self-esteem.
How to improve your business English online
Ready to take your professional language skills to the next level? Then these excellent online learning platforms and resources have got you covered.
Preply
If you want to improve your business English quickly and affordably with engaging, customized 1-on-1 private classes, then Preply is the best platform.
Preply’s experienced tutors craft lessons based on your individual needs and focus on getting you speaking as much as possible with roleplay activities that simulate negotiations, presentations, meetings, and other professional interactions to ensure you level up fast.
Picky about who you learn with? Thanks to Preply’s advanced search filters, you can find the perfect teacher at the right price and time from its network of +13,700 business English tutors in just a few clicks.
After narrowing down top instructor candidates with a quick search, check out their past student reviews, ratings, and introductory videos before quizzing them via private messenger to learn more about their teaching styles.
One of the best things about learning with Preply is that their tutors provide you with a customized learning plan and extra materials to study outside of class. This tailored approach is the best way to address your weak areas while teaching you specific business abbreviations, terms, and vocabulary that are relevant to your industry.
So if you’re eager to impress in interviews, master meetings, and perfect your presentations, register with Preply.
YouTube
If you want to improve your business English skills for free, YouTube is worth exploring. It offers a vast array of free content, including video lessons, interviews, speeches, and authentic business-related material.
However, it is important to remember that since the content is user-generated, the quality of the pre-recorded videos can vary.
That said, there are various reputable channels on YouTube that provide high-quality lecture-style lessons on topics such as communication, negotiations, and presentations. Some of the most popular channels for business English are English with Lucy and Business English Pod. Both cover vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and tips on how to succeed in job interviews and presentations.
Podcasts
Want to sharpen your business English skills but struggling to find the time to study? Then why not try tuning into some engaging podcasts?
An excellent free option that publishes new content daily is BBC Global News. These 29-minute downloadable reports feature tons of formal language that can be handy for your monthly review with your manager or collaborating with co-workers.
Also, they keep you up to date with the latest world news and current affairs – ideal if you struggle to make small talk when bumping into someone at the water cooler.
If you want to take your presentations to the next level, check out the TED Business podcast. With fascinating talks from professionals on various subjects, this podcast will help you perfect your delivery when presenting and speaking up in meetings.
But even though they are great free business English resources, they may not be ideal for everyone. For instance, if you find it difficult to concentrate or motivate yourself to put in some study hours, taking a top business English course (such as the ones provided by Preply) would be a far better option.
Other resources
Along with videos and podcasts, you can download free apps to help you enhance your business English. Popular free options include Duolingo and Memrise. These user-friendly apps offer easy-to-use exercises like fill-in-the-blank tasks, multiple-choice questions, and virtual flashcards.
Admittedly, because they lack guidance or conversation practice, they can’t compare with real interactive lessons with professional instructors. Yet, they’re great for picking up new words and phrases.
Conclusion
Business English is essential for professionals looking to excel in today’s globalized world. It can help you build strong working relationships, enhance your communication skills, open up more job opportunities, and understand different cultures.
But even though free resources like podcasts and language learning apps can get you off to a great start, you’ll need professional help if you’re serious about improving your language skills quickly.
This is where Preply comes in. With Preply, you can connect with experienced and professional tutors who customize lessons to meet your specific needs and preferences. So whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, Preply’s 1-on-1 classes provide a supportive environment for you to practice and improve rapidly.
Ready to start making progress? Then join the thousands of other learners who have already improved their English skills with Preply by booking a trial lesson with an experienced business English tutor today.
