Begin Your Journey in Teaching Business English Online

The demand for effective business communication among non-native English speakers is on the rise. With the workplace becoming increasingly globalized and remote positions becoming commonplace, organizations across various sectors are prioritizing language proficiency. Notably, being bilingual in a professional setting can boost your salary by as much as 15%.

English is expected to remain the dominant language of business for the foreseeable future. However, if you’re new to teaching business English online, you might be feeling uncertain about where to begin.

What does it truly mean to educate professionals within a corporate environment? Is prior experience in their specific industry a necessity?

We’ll explore these questions and more in this guide to teaching business English. 

What does it mean to teach business English?

When teaching business English, you’ll usually work with individuals or groups who share a common objective: enhancing their language skills for professional advancement.

In contrast to traditional classroom settings, it’s common for students in group classes to work for the same company or even within the same department. This unique dynamic can enhance collaboration and foster networking opportunities among classmates.

As a business English teacher, you play a vital role in assessing your students’ professional requirements, identifying their proficiency levels, and creating a tailored language syllabus that meets their needs.

What are some common business English teaching misconceptions?

As a new business English teacher, you might have encountered some common myths that could be causing you concern. The truth is, teaching business English can be just as enjoyable and fulfilling as any other teaching role. Let’s take a moment to debunk these misconceptions!

1. You have to be an expert in the students’ business

When tutoring professionals online, your role is to guide them in enhancing their English skills. They come to you with the expectation of gaining valuable insights and practical improvements in their language proficiency.

To effectively tailor your materials, it’s essential to align them with the specific industry and emphasize the key competencies that are most valued in their roles. However, you don’t need to be a professional expert in that field—though having some expertise can certainly enhance your credibility.

Your students will probably share insights into their work and how they utilize English in their roles, seeking your advice along the way. However, your role isn’t to instruct them on their jobs or provide industry-specific consultations.

Business English students frequently seek feedback on their reports, emails, presentations, and other forms of communication. By applying your professional expertise, you can review their work and provide valuable guidance to enhance their communication skills.

2. Classes include completely different material

New teachers often associate “business English” with pie charts, reports, and tedious documents. However, it’s essential to remember that the foundation of your teaching is English itself; the business aspect is just an extension of that.

The design of your lesson plans and teaching materials should align with your students’ proficiency levels. For instance, if you’re working with A1-level learners who find it challenging to grasp basic phrases, struggle with communication, or encounter difficulties with fundamental grammar, your primary focus should be on helping them improve their English skills to meet the expected standards.

Feel free to utilize any materials that you consider suitable for the task. While incorporating examples relevant to their business can enhance your message, it’s not a strict requirement and may not always be feasible.

As students progress to intermediate levels and beyond, English courses can increasingly incorporate authentic materials relevant to their everyday work experiences. This approach can include engaging activities like pie charts, role-playing scenarios, and even some reading materials that may seem dry but are essential for real-world application.

Pro Tip: Connect with your students’ companies on Twitter or LinkedIn to discover a wealth of English language content, such as articles, press releases, videos, and podcasts. These authentic resources not only enhance learning but also engage students, making them highly valuable additions to your classroom materials.

3. Your students will be very serious all the time

While some individuals may have a naturally serious demeanor, many view their business English language class as an enjoyable challenge and a refreshing escape from their work routine.

Just like in any other English class, make sure to break the ice, showcase your personality, incorporate fun games, and continually challenge your students to keep their learning engaging and dynamic.

Challenges when teaching business English students online

Teaching an online class for adults comes with its own set of unique challenges. Here’s what you can anticipate during your initial sessions.

Building rapport and authority

Building rapport with your students is crucial when you begin teaching a new group. Establishing a connection helps create a positive learning environment. Incorporate engaging ice-breakers and get-to-know-you activities to facilitate this process. Additionally, take the time to discuss their personal and professional aspirations related to English speaking, as this will foster a supportive atmosphere for their growth.

As you step into this closed group, be prepared to be viewed as an outsider at first. To establish yourself as a dedicated teacher, engage them right away by presenting challenges and assigning homework. This approach will demonstrate your commitment and help you earn their respect.

Time and cancellations

Many Business English students typically attend classes early in the morning or during their lunch breaks to fit learning into their busy work schedules. When their workload intensifies, it’s common for them to seek cancellations or rescheduling of classes. However, by choosing to teach Business English online with LingualNeeds, you’ll find that your students enjoy greater flexibility in their schedules, making it easier for them to commit to their lessons.

When leading a group class, it’s essential to be adaptable. Plan flexible activities that can accommodate varying class sizes, ensuring everyone remains engaged and included regardless of attendance fluctuations.

Group dynamics

In most workplaces, there’s a clear hierarchy with directors, managers, and team members, where everyone reports to someone. However, in an English class, those traditional power dynamics often dissolve, creating a more egalitarian atmosphere. Ideally, this environment fosters collaboration and equal participation—though that’s not always the case.

When managers participate in training alongside their employees, it can sometimes lead to tension and workplace dynamics that complicate the learning experience. This situation can become even more challenging if a junior team member demonstrates stronger English skills than a senior employee!

As an online instructor, your role is to foster a positive class environment by actively managing group dynamics and frequently mixing up student groups. Remember, incorporating fun elements into your lessons can significantly enhance engagement. When students feel relaxed and involved, they’ll be less focused on the stresses of their office surroundings.

Before your first business English class

Before launching your first business English course, it’s essential to assess your students’ proficiency levels. A great tool for this is LingualNeeds’ placement test, which helps identify each student’s strengths and weaknesses in English communication. This valuable insight will enable you to tailor your lessons more effectively to meet their needs.

Simultaneously, it’s essential to conduct a needs analysis. This straightforward survey invites students to share their interests, career goals, learning styles, and previous experiences with English. This information helps tailor the learning experience to better meet their needs.

You can easily design your own survey using tools like Typeform or Google Forms. Simply send it out to your students to complete before your first session, gathering valuable insights and feedback beforehand.

It’s time to get started teaching business English online

Teaching English as a second language to professionals offers a fulfilling opportunity. You not only gain insights into diverse industries and careers but also witness firsthand how your instruction empowers individuals to advance in their professional journeys.

We aim to clear up some prevalent myths surrounding business English teaching. Keep in mind that you don’t need to be a specialist in your students’ industries for the classes to be enjoyable. Plus, there’s no need to create all-new materials from scratch; effective resources are readily available!

Good luck with your future business English classes!