Currently, the global Business English language training market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 19.26% from 2018–2022. Clearly, as global commerce expands (thanks to innovative technologies and platforms), so does the need to have a widely accepted and uniformly used business language.
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What Exactly Is ‘Business English’?
“Business English” is a term used to describe the type of English that is used by people conducting business; it focuses on English language skills that are necessary to communicate in an increasingly global business environment.
The range of different subject areas included underneath the term “Business English” is varied. The Oxford Business English Dictionary includes the following subject areas: accounting, commerce, e-commerce, economics, finance, HR, insurance, IT, law, manufacturing, marketing, production, property, the stock exchange, (international) trade, and transport.
Why English?
So, why are business professionals across the world deciding to communicate in English and not French, Chinese, German, etc.? Simply put, a majority of English-speaking nations form a formidable driving force, accounting for about 40% of the world’s total gross national product (GNP).
And English is often considered the lingua franca of the current period and is also widely used in many countries as a universal working language. In addition, better English language comprehension gives employees across global organizations more firsthand information, which is vital to good decision-making.
Tips for Training Your Staff in Business English
- Incorporate language learning into each workday by offering a “word of the day” or “phrase of the day,” and offer regular opportunities for learners to practice their phonics and everyday speech via in-person or live online workshops.
- Create and distribute folders with key vocabulary words and everyday phrases that employees should know when communicating via e-mail or over the phone. They can use these as references and guides as they’re learning a new language.
- Provide employees with access to free language learning programs and resources such as Rosetta Stone and online translators, as well as access to a language tutor.
Obstacles to Successful English Language Policies
- Unexpected change can hit employees hard. For instance, if you suddenly hold routine meetings or conferences in English when they were once in different languages, be prepared for confusion and pushback. At all costs, try to implement changes with Business English initiatives strategically, and make sure your employees are aware and prepared for the changes. If you truly want them to use Business English, make sure that they are prepared and provided with ample opportunities to get on board.
- Compliance with adhering to Business English can be unreliable and inconsistent across teams based in different global locations. So, make sure you’re consistently verifying that all teams across the globe are writing important documents and correspondence in Business English once your employees are properly trained and your organization has implemented a Business English policy.
Training global teams in Business English is becoming a necessity in 2018. Follow the tips and consider the information above to ensure your teams are trained properly and set up for success.