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Teaching Business English

Teaching Business English

Business English lessons are sought after the world over – what’s it all about, and how can EFL teachers get involved?

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As our world gets more connected, English has become the language of international business. But there’s a difference between the English you might learn at school or home and Business English, which relies on vocabulary and phrases you’re unlikely to hear outside the workplace.

Knowing the right business language – everything from job applications to writing reports and giving presentations – can make a huge difference to a student’s job prospects and quality of life.

With learners all around the world, the demand for TEFL teachers will continue to grow, and making the move into teaching Business English could be a smart one.

In this article, we look at what teaching Business English looks like in practice, who your students will be, and everything else you need to become a TEFL Business English teacher.

What Makes Business English Different from General English?

The main difference between Business English and everyday English is where and when it’s used. Business English can sound formal, especially in written communication, but office shorthand and English used in meetings can be vivid and metaphorical. General English is more conversational and informal, using more common idioms and slang.

Business English vs everyday English – some common examples

If you’re with friends, you might use casual English phrases like “how’s it going?” or “see you later”. Business English is often phrased more formally, such as “I hope you’re well” and “Yours sincerely”. It can also include a lot of business jargon, in phrases such as Return on Investment (ROI), “circling back,” or “touching base,” which are frequently used in the office but rarely outside.

Business English tone

A big part of the Business English difference is how things are said, not just what is said. Nailing the formal-yet-friendly style needed for business is vital for job applications, emails, LinkedIn, and cover letters. Your learners will need Business English to apply for jobs or to build contacts, so they need to know the right tone.

Students who take Business English classes usually already speak English to some degree, which gives you a solid platform to work from. To make sure your learners understand the differences between everyday and Business English, you’ll need to provide real-life examples and develop confidence through different activities.

Teaching your students these small-but-important distinctions can be key to helping them find jobs, get promotions or achieve other career goals.

Who are your students?

Teaching Business English can give you a broad range of students to choose from. Some may already be experienced in business and can speak English well, but are looking to improve their skills for a new job or to work in a different country. At the other end of the spectrum are students who have basic English skills and are looking to work on their language abilities, to break into the world of business.

You can target these groups as part of your marketing, or you can start off generically and then ask your students what they need. Some businesses may advertise for Business English teachers to help their staff learn key terms for their industry.

Whichever group you end up teaching, you’ll need to tailor your lessons to meet your students’ needs.

Essential skills in Business English

There are six main skills taught in Business English classes: vocabulary, writing, listening, speaking, presenting, and negotiation.

1. Vocabulary

The vocabulary of Business English can feel alien to second-language learners. Phrasing for marketing and transactions can feel very different to everyday English.

While Business English can often be formal, many phrases rely on imagery and metaphor. For example, it’s common to hear “go the extra mile” in a work context, but this has nothing to do with physical distance. For your learners, the difference between literal and figurative vocabulary must be clearly defined.

How to structure Business English Lessons

There are some key elements that form the structure of the course you will be teaching.

Find out what your learners need

It’s important to understand the reasons that your learner wants to know Business English. Perhaps they’re trying to move abroad or find a job. A promotion might mean conversations with international colleagues, or a new romantic relationship could mean finding work and accommodation in a new country. Whatever the reason, structure your lesson so your Business English learner can progress professionally.

Grammar and vocabulary

Context is everything. Your students should know what words to use (and not use!) in business interactions and how to structure sentences, paragraphs and scripts for presentations.

At least one part of your classes should be dedicated to grammar and vocabulary, because your students need to know what to say and how to say it. Encourage vocabulary learning outside of the classroom, too – having the right words to hand can make all the difference.

New phrases

Aim to teach your students new Business English words and phrases every lesson. This can range from buzzwords like ‘leverage’ and ‘circle back’ to more complex ideas like ‘raising the bar,’ ‘B2B/B2C,’ and ‘means analysis.’

Tip: Business English vocabulary can sometimes use clichés and idioms. Make sure you ground your ideas in practical examples that relate to your students’ goals.

Practical exercises

This is where the theory you teach (especially grammar and vocabulary) is put into situations that simulate business life, which will help your students build confidence in their Business English skills.

You can try exercises to encourage participation, improvisation and peer review, such as:

  • Coffee rounds for a group of colleagues
  • Job interviews
  • LinkedIn posts about a new job
  • Cover letters
  • ‘Meetings’ with fellow students
  • Delivering presentations
  • Writing business proposals, memos or emails to fictional international clients.

Recommended Tools & Resources

If you’re interested in teaching Business English but aren’t sure where to start, try an advanced TEFL course. This 30-hour course will teach you all the skills and theory needed to teach Business English, prepare and deliver lessons, and build your students’ business communication skills. Advanced TEFL courses are ideal if you’ve completed a TEFL certificate and are looking for a specific niche as a TEFL teacher.

Between finishing your Business English course and starting to teach, reading about other teachers’ experiences is helpful. Try relevant Reddit, Facebook groups, and LinkedIn articles to get started.

After that, try these resources:

Finally, The TEFL Org has a Discord server where you can chat with other students, experienced teachers, and our friendly staff.

Where and how to find Business English students

Because English is the standard language of business, work is available in multiple places.

Teach English online

You’ll find clients easily if you’re teaching English online. There are specific Business English language companies like Voxy, and a range of more general English teaching platforms and companies that hire or host Business English teachers. Another option for teaching business English online is to freelance. Demonstrate any business experience you have gained to help add context.

Teach English abroad

Some of the most lucrative and exciting TEFL destinations are international business centers, where Business English is taught onsite in different companies and offices. Asia and the Middle East are full of robust economies, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the UAE. In Europe, Germany and Italy are particularly popular places to teach Business English, with cities like Frankfurt and Turin proving happy hunting grounds for Business TEFL teachers.

Tip: Capital cities are usually a safe bet for Business English clients. Also, look for where global corporations have their biggest factories or offices.

How much can you earn teaching Business English?

Business English learners are more niche than the broader population of English learners, so teaching it can be a very lucrative area of TEFL. Learners are likely to already be earning, or their course may be paid for by their business, so there is often more money available.

As with all teaching roles, you’ll usually be paid more if you have experience, especially if you have a combination of TEFL and business knowledge. It’s a competitive market, so find out what rates others are charging locally, or online if you’re teaching remotely.

The amount you can earn varies greatly from country to country (along with the cost of living) but is likely to be higher than the standard TEFL rates. As a ballpark figure, rates start at around $25 per lesson for each student.

You might also consider offering a set fee for a block of lessons at a reduced rate from a single lesson. This can help guarantee more income than teaching one lesson at a time.

Teaching Business English while traveling

Teaching Business English is a great way to supplement your income while you travel. You are more likely to find work in cities or near major office locations, so that might be something to factor into your travel plans. You can also teach remotely if you have the right equipment.

It’s important to remember that your clients will be working in business environments, so you’ll need to come across as professional. This means looking the part and having the necessary materials to hand – and you will need to find somewhere to run your lessons from that isn’t a tent!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. What is Business English?

    Business English is used in the corporate world for job applications, interviews, meetings and international business. The differences between Business English and everyday English often come down to specific vocabulary, phrasing and scenarios you don’t see outside the workplace.

  • Q. Do I need a business background to teach Business English?

    It’s not vital, but understanding the corporate world will help you teach Business English, because it means you know the nuances of how it sounds in practice. You’ll also know the differences between corporate communications and office shorthand. Additionally, you’re likely to earn a higher salary if you’re experienced both in business and as a TEFL teacher.

  • Q. Who are Business English students?

    There’s no typical Business English student. English is the global language of business, and there are countless reasons for developing Business English skills. Expect motivated and enthusiastic students from all over the world.

  • Q. Where can I teach Business English?

    You can teach Business English everywhere, from language school classrooms and private tutoring to online English classes.