mind your own business english

… English

with Grzegorz Spiewak

Sony

Alka Seltzer

Thomas Cook

Zanussi

Canon

Pioneer

Le Shuttle

Stena Sea Link

The Mail on Sunday

mind warmer

Ferry affordable Stena Sea Link

A newspaper, not a snoozepaper The Mail on Sunday

Don’t just book it, Thomas Cook it

The appliance of science Zanussi

The less time aboard, the more time abroad Le Shuttle

Like.no.other Sony

If anyone can, Canon can

Wait till you hear Pioneer!

Plop, plop, fizz, oh what a relief it is! Alka Seltzer

Who actually needs business English …?

Who actually needs business English …?

university context:

a group of individuals with vague business plans for the future

in-company context:

a secretary, her boss, an accountant,

a marketing person, an IT administrator…

all with diverse, job-specific needs

Who actually needs business English …?

So, what about

the business of teaching business English …?

”What do you find most difficult when

using English at work?”[1]

”What do you find most difficult when

using English at work?”[1]

Business people really learn Business English

vocabulary at work. It all comes with the job…

• a PLS

• a blad

• a pre-press

• end of play

• an annual growth playbook

Vocabulary: let’s get down to business

Vocabulary: let’s get down to business

”What do you find most difficult when

using English at work?”[2]

”What do you find most difficult when

using English at work?”

I cannot just use English naturally. When I

speak my own language I sound more friendly ...

but in English I don’t feel at ease at all and just

use the formal words and expressions.

10 of the most frequent phrases when at a negotiating table

Feeling at ease: let’s get down to business

Feeling at ease: let’s get down to business

”What do you find most difficult when

using English at work?”[3]

”What do you find most difficult when

using English at work?”

When actually doing business it’s really important to

show that you understand your partner or client. If

you get on well on the ‘How was your flight?’ level

then there’s a good chance you’ll get on well when

negotiating a deal.

‘Our telephone answering system has broken down.

This is a human being. How can I help you?’

An anonymous customer service representative

Tuning-in: let’s get down to business

DRILL SOCIAL ENGLISH !

- What are you going to do tonight?

- I’m going to see a film.

- Which film and what time?

- Social Network, at 7.

- Can I join?

- Of course.

- Great 7-1 Conversations

1. Hi!

2. __ __

3. __ __ __

4. __ __ __ __

5. __ __ __ __ __

6. __ __ __ __ __ __

7. __ __ __ __ __ __ __

1-7 Conversations

1. __

2. __ __

3. __ __ __

4. __ __ __ __

5. __ __ __ __ __

6. __ __ __ __ __ __

7. Shall we take them to dinner then?

1-7 Conversations

- Another one?

- But …

- Come …

- Don’t …

- Eleven …

- Fi…

- Gr… A-G Conversations

- Another one?

- But we need to be in shape tomorrow morning…

- Come on, don’t chicken out!

- Don’t think it’s a good idea, anyway, what time is it ?

- Eleven or so… Not that late at all.

- Fine. And then we’ll call it a day.

- Great. My treat. A-G Conversations

”What do you find most difficult when

using English at work?”[4]

”What do you find most difficult when

using English at work?”

Doing business is often a matter of communicating something unpleasant in such a way as not to hurt or offend. It’s a classic case of not what you say but the way you say it effectively…

Being diplomatic: let’s get down to business

Being diplomatic: let’s get down to business

Being diplomatic: let’s get down to business

Being diplomatic: let’s get down to business

Being diplomatic: let’s get down to business

Being diplomatic: let’s get down to business

Being diplomatic: let’s get down to business

”What do you find most difficult when

using English at work?”[5]

”What do you find most difficult when

using English at work?”

It’s not just the language and how good your English is. It helps if you have the courage to speak, to comment, to express your own opinions. If you have the confidence, you manage even if your English is not that good.

‘A 30-second elevator exchange can be as productive as a one-hour meeting.’

William Raduchel, Sun Microsystems

Confidence: let’s get down to business

Confidence: let’s get down to business

Confidence: pyramid discussion

framework

being diplomatic

ability to tune in

feeling at ease

transferable vocabulary

confidence

emergent life-skills syllabus

Different jobs or plans

Students busy

TENOR* & LENOR* needs …

Teaching General Business English: summary

*TENOR = Teaching English for No Obvious Reason *LENOR = Learning English for No Obvious Reason

Different jobs or plans

Students busy

TENOR & LENOR needs …

Teaching General Business English: summary

FIND OUT WHAT STUDENTS [AND THEIR PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS] HAVE IN COMMON

PRIORITISE & [UN-]SELECT FOCUS ON TRANSFERABLE, SOFT /’LIFE ’ SKILLS !