Business Don’ts - What ESL Students Should and Shouldn’t Do in an International Business Environment
For many ESL students, doing business abroad can be tricky. Not knowing about the foreign culture can really work against you. Excessive anxiety or being overly eager to do business can become enormous obstacles that end up closing doors rather than opening them.
When business students learn English they accomplish their desire to know the language, which they need for business contacts. However, it does not mean complete and adequate preparation for international collaboration. When communicating with their foreign counterparts, business people encounter a different type of thinking, which determines decision-making. Thus, to be prepared for international cooperation there are many things to consider and many things to avoid. If you want to know what you shouldn’t and should do, read on.
Don’t get over eager to do business - They might take advantage of your disadvantage
Take your time to fully understand what is being said. Don’t make any rash decisions, ask for clarification if necessary. Use expressions like “can we go over that again” when in doubt. If you feel at all uncertain make sure you have everything written down and ask for a second meeting. Take all the time you need to review and go over all the info. Also, you might want to take an electronic dictionary. They have certain unique functions, such as error tolerant input, cross-referencing (e.g. synonyms and antonyms), and word and spelling and they are probably faster to use.
Be prepared
Make sure you have the information you are going to discuss written down. Take notes with you so you are very familiar with what you are going to talk about and how. Make sure you know what you’re going to say; don’t assume people will be willing to help. Practice before the encounter so you will feel confident. You have to know all relevant vocabulary and expressions before any meeting and or presentations.
Try to learn a little about the culture, business and people you’re going to do business with
Because English is so widely used around the world, it is quite possible that many members of your audience will not be native English speakers. In other words, they will not have an Anglo-Saxon culture. Even within the Anglo-Saxon world, there are many differences in culture. If we hypothetically imagine a German working for an Israeli company making a presentation in English to a Japanese audience in Korea, we can see that there are even more possibilities for cultural misunderstanding. You should try to learn about any particular cultural matters that may affect your audience. This is one reason why preparation is so important. Cultural differences can also be seen in body language for example. To someone from Southern France or Italy, a presenter who uses his hands and arms when speaking may seem dynamic and friendly. To an Englishman, the same presenter may seem unsure of his words and lacking in self-confidence.
The importance of studying mentality differences has practical implications. Being aware of mentality differences leads to international cooperation and the chance to avoid many cross-cultural conflicts. If you feel you need to improve your English speaking skills, there are great ESL programs designed to help you overcome your language barriers.
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Useful Business Presentation Tips for ESL Students
Delivering a business presentation can be a daunting task for many people. However for those who speak English as a second language a business presentation can pose a true challenge. People are sometimes afraid of speaking in public, and if you add the natural discomfort of speaking in a foreign language to that, the situation may seem overwhelming. The good news is that there is always something you can do to make things better. If you follow a few simple tips, giving a presentation is actually very easy.
Tip 1: Prepare, prepare, prepare
Preparation is everything! With good preparation and planning you will be totally confident and less nervous. And your audience will feel your confidence. Your audience, too, will be confident. They will be confident in you. And this will give you control. Control of your audience and of your presentation. With control, you will be “in charge” and your audience will listen positively to your message
Tip 2: Ask yourself these questions
“Why am I giving this presentation?” Do you need to inform, to persuade, to train or to sell? Your objective it very important. It should be clear in your mind. After all, it cannot possibly be clear to your audience if it is not clear in your mind
“Who am I giving this presentation to?” You should try to know how many people there will be, who they are, where they are from, whether they are experts or non-experts, etc. This is important because it will give you a clue as to what they can expect from you.
“Where am I giving this presentation?” In a small hotel meeting-room or a large conference hall? What facilities and equipment are available? What are the seating arrangements?
“When am I giving this presentation and how long will it be?” Will it be 5 minutes or 1 hour? During what part of the day is it?
“How should I give this presentation?” What should your approach be? Formal or informal? How many visual aids should you use?
“What should I say?” Now you must decide exactly what you want to say. First, you should brainstorm your ideas. You should include only information that is relevant to your audience and your objective. You can always give additional information during the questions after the presentation. The title is also important since it will help you to focus on the subject.
Tip 3: Structure
A well organized presentation with a clear structure is easier for the audience to follow. It is therefore more effective. You should organize the points you wish to make in a logical order. Most presentations are organized in three parts, followed by questions:
Short introduction
• welcome your audience
• introduce your subject
• explain the structure of your presentation
• explain rules for questions
Body of presentation
• present the subject itself
Short conclusion
• summarize your presentation
• thank your audience
• invite questions
Remember a successful presentation is one of the most effective ways of communicating your message. And because English is so widely used in international business, a working knowledge of the vocabulary and techniques used in an English language presentation is a valuable asset. If you need to improve your English for this type of situation, sign up for an ESL program that covers business presentations.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention our ESL blog as the original source).
How to Put an End to Your Problems with Business English
How many English courses have you started in your life? How much money have you spent on CDs, books and countless other tools to learn English? But…can you talk to an English speaker without filling countless gaps with mumblings, like err…, ehhh…, ummm, etc.? Probably the answer is NO. But the truth is that English is essential for you, but not just any type of English. What you need is to learn business English, which is very different from the general one that we all know. And why is that? Because you work for a very important international company and everyday you face the problem of not understanding what a person is saying in a business meeting. Is there a solution?
What is business English? Business English is the “language” that every executive uses to close deals, to talk to investors, to make presentations, etc. So if you cannot understand business English, you will probably lose several opportunities to expand your business. Business English is characterized by the fact that the meaning of the words are highly different, in other words, it is the English that we all know, but used by businessmen; therefore, the phrases and particularly the words can only be understood by those who do business.
Even when you take as many English courses as you can, and you purchase every new CD to learn English, your problems with business English will not fade away because those are tools to learn regular English, so you will find yourself repeating the names of animals and colors, and not the words that you use on a daily basis in your office. What you need is to find the perfect place that understands your necessities and gives you a quick solution as you certainly do not have time to waste; we must remember that you are an executive, whose agenda is full of meetings, conference calls, and presentation, which are, of course, in English.
Believe it or not, there is a solution to help you to tackle this annoying problem. You should go to a school that offers ESL programs and focuses on teaching the type of English that each person needs. In your case, a very busy executive, you should go for an intensive program which involves travelling to the US for three weeks to learn business English. The ESL school will prepare your lessons for the three weeks considering all the business situations that you have to handle everyday in your company. Moreover, this will give you the opportunity to meet other businessmen while you are learning; as a consequence, you will have the possibility to learn the language and to do some business networking at the same time.
To conclude, there is no need for you to worry any longer about understanding what an investor or a partner is saying in a meeting or in a conference call. After taking the ESL program, you will be able to cope with business English easily; so…what are you waiting for?
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
Doing Business in English - Is it Mission Impossible?
How many times has a colleague of yours suggested taking a business English course? You, as an experienced executive, whose agenda has no place for any other extra activity, and who has been working for the same company for more than ten years, simply answer, “what for?” Never in your business life in that same company have you needed business English to do your job, so for you that is just a ridiculous suggestion. But imagine that one day, your company decides to invest in an English speaking country, just to expand the business and try new horizons, which of course will involve travelling to that country, having meetings and conference calls, making presentations and answering letters and e-mails, all of which involves using business English. I guess that now your colleague’s suggestion does not sound that ridiculous, right?
At first, you believe that you will be able to handle the situation. Bearing in mind your years of experience in the business and the fact that you understand English pretty well, how complicated can this be for you? So the day comes in which you and the rest of the company must travel to the other country to explain the company’s investment objectives and purposes. Before flying you buy a business English dictionary, just in case you may need it. The meeting starts and you discover that all the company’s staff speaks and understands English easily. Suddenly, you realize that business English is not as easy as you thought; even when you understand some parts of the conversation, it is not crystal clear at all. Not to mention the fact that it is impossible for you to give your opinion or explain the tasks that the sector you are responsible for performs. Apparently, even when you know the business well, trying to express the same ideas in another language is not a piece of cake at all.
So, after the meeting, your boss asks you why you were so quiet. Of course you will not talk about your language problems; therefore, you make up an excuse. And now you only wonder what you will do: is this the end of your career?
Fortunately, there is a quick and efficient solution for you. Travel abroad and attend classes at a school that has a special ESL program for executives like you, who need to learn business English to continue doing business. The first thing they should do is enquiry about your real needs, in other words, they prepare the lessons considering all the situations that you will have to handle, and they teach you in consequence. A great three-week program involves travelling to the US and meeting other executives, which will not only allow you to learn the language in real life situations, but also to share business experience with other colleagues.
To sum up, it is not impossible to do business in English; you only need a program that focuses on your needs as an executive. And the most important thing: enroll in the program even if you may not need business English for your current job, as you never know when things can change.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
Don’t worry, it’s just Business English!
After working for many years in a local company, you have the opportunity to apply for a very important job in an international company. All your experience and the knowledge of the business make you the perfect candidate for the position, but will that involve speaking or writing in English? Probably, you learnt that language when you were a young boy and now you can read a piece of news from an English paper or listen to an English song; however, have you ever used English in a business context? Do you imagine yourself trying to close a very important deal with an English speaking company or answering most of your e-mails in another language? Certainly, you will not waste the most important opportunity of your career just because of a language barrier, but surely you are wondering how you can learn business English quickly and efficiently.
Your first choice may be buying every CD and book that guarantees learning English in a couple of hours, without teachers or trainers, so you enter the first bookshop that you find and you purchase all of them; you know what people tend to say, “the more, the better”. Or maybe you are reluctant to believe that learning another language in 48 hours is possible; therefore, you approach the most important English language center in town to enroll in a course, but, to your amazement, the nice lady at the reception tells you that you can only expect to start speaking English after attending the course for at least twelve months; what the lady does not know is that you are a very important businessman who cannot wait twelve months to do business. Not to mention the fact that none of the magical solutions or the long-term courses focus on the vocabulary and grammar that you will need for your daily tasks at your new office. Probably, they do not teach you to handle conference calls or meetings with English investors or partners, or to make a business presentation for the whole company, let alone answer the countless letters and e-mails that you will receive full of phrases and words related to the business context.
At this point, you are certainly considering not applying for the job because even when you obtain the position, what are the chances of surviving without being able to speak business English? What you surely do not know is that there is a perfect solution for you. Find an ESL school abroad that focuses on your needs. So, if you are an executive that must learn English for his job, enroll, for example, in a three-week program, that involves travelling to an American city, and spending time with a teacher that will give you all the linguistic tools that you need for business meetings, conference calls, etc. You will also have the opportunity to meet other professionals with the same needs as yours.
So to put it in a nutshell, do not waste great business opportunities just because you’re not able to speak English. Study abroad and enroll in an ESL class. And remember that it is just business English. Basically it is what you, as an executive, know but in another language.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
Main Differences between Formal and Informal English
One of the greatest fears affecting non native speakers of English is not just being misunderstood but also being inappropriate when trying to express something. People often speak of language as being correct or incorrect. It would be more accurate to refer to particular language structures as being formal or informal, appropriate or inappropriate for a specific context.
In everyday conversation we do not have to follow the rules of grammar as carefully as we would in a formal address or a business letter. If we adhere too closely to formal rules of grammar in an informal situation, we may come across as being stuffy and unnatural. It is like wearing a tuxedo or a formal gown to an ordinary business meeting. Formal English follows rules of grammar very strictly. Sentences tend to be longer and more complex. It tends to be used in professional and business situations. It is also better organized and thought out.
Informal English on the other hand is generally used with friends and family. A number of grammar expressions have common forms which differ in their formal or informal use. These differences are noted both in written and spoken English. However, they are most notable in written English.
As seen in ESL lessons, participating effectively not only requires a solid grasp of English grammar, but also an understanding of key communication factors. If you want more helpful language hints as to the most appropriate forms of English or key points to take into consideration each time you are using English, read on.
Contracted Forms
Formal - Don’t use contracted forms, use the entire auxiliary verb: They have lived in New York for many years.
Informal - Use contracted forms: They’ve lived in New York for many years.
Relative Structures
Formal - Use relative structures: The woman thought that it was important to be on time.
Informal - Drop certain relative structures: The woman thought it was important to be on time.
The Use of ‘Whom’
Formal - Use ‘whom’ as an object: Whom have they chosen for the position?
Informal - Use ‘who’ as an object: Who have they chosen for the position?
Auxiliary Verb Usage
Formal - Always use the full form of an auxiliary: Have you finished your work?
Informal - Sometimes the auxiliary verb is dropped in informal speech. Note: This is often grammatically incorrect, but is certainly common in everyday usage: Finished your work?
Word Choice
Formal - Many words tend to be used in more formal situations. For example, certain verbs tend to be used in formal situations, but have other synonyms (often phrasal verbs) that are used in informal situations. Also, it uses more vocabulary derived from French and Latin (bigger words) It uses more synonyms and doesn’t repeat the same words as much. The police investigated the situation.
Informal synonym: We looked into the situation.
Passive structures
Formal - It uses more indirect language, making it less personal. The student was given a book.
Informal synonym: We gave the student a book.
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Useful Business Phrases for ESL Students
Are you desperate to expand into new markets or grow in the company where you are currently working? If that is the case I’m sure you would agree that English is not an option. It is a must. However, if English is your second language, simply attending classes at an ESL school and learning the right vocabulary to do business may not be enough. Using key phrases can give your English a more native sound. Here are popular phrases that can help you do business and sound like a pro.
To be a hitter - Someone powerful within the company. Someone successful.
Bill is incredible; he’s a really big hitter.
Core competencies - This is what you or your company does well.
We need to focus on our core competencies in order to maintain our position in the market.
Customer centric - Centered in the customer, customer driven.
We should be more customer centric from now on.
Cutting edge - The most recent version, often used with technology.
This is cutting edge technology we’re using.
E.T.A. - Short for “expected time of arrival”, in other words, how long it will take to get it finished.
What’s the E.T.A. on this report?
Going forward - In future.
Going forward, you should manage this project with a bit more focus.
High level - Similar to the big picture, an overall view rather than looking at details.
High level thinking is what we need right now.
Leading (market) - To be first, better than the competitors.
I want to develop a market leading proposition.
Low hanging fruit - This refers to things that can be done quickly and easily.
Let’s concentrate on the low hanging fruit first, before looking at the tougher problems.
Manage expectations - Make sure people expect realistic outcomes from a project.
It’s a good idea to manage expectations so that they don’t expect the impossible.
Out of the box - To be creative, original.
If you think out of the box you could generate some amazing ideas
Pro-active - To have initiative and drive. Get things done.
I think we need to be a bit pro-active here.
Quick win - Something that is fairly simple (in terms of time and/or cost) and beneficial.
Some quick wins would really be useful now.
Scalable - When something works for lots of people as well as just a few.
It might work for the local market, but is it scalable?
State of the art - The best, most modern solution.
This is a state of the art solution
To take something offline - Discuss the point further at another time.
That’s a delicate issue, so can you take it offline please?
To take ownership of something - To be responsible for something
You should really take ownership for this work.
To be a team player - Someone who works well with others.
Bill is a great guy; he’s a real team player.
To touch base with someone - To speak to someone about something.
I need to touch base with Fred on this one.
Win-win situation - A situation that is good for people on both sides.
Try and see if you can come up with a win-win situation.
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Essential Tips for Beginners at Business English – Get Your Priorities Straight!
For those who are just starting to study English as a foreign language, life can seem pretty tough. Especially if you are a beginner. As many say, beginnings are always scary Now, for beginners who need to study English in order to be able to work or function in a business environment in general, things seem even scarier. The added pressure students feel to achieve as much as they can in as little time possible is so great it ends up having the contrary effect. Frustration is never a good companion when learning. Well, here is some good news. It doesn’t have to be that way. It’s all a question of setting the right priorities. Want to know what they are? If you do you should definitely read on.
Priority 1
Identify exactly what vocabulary you should be learning first. What area of business will you be functioning in? What types of situations do you think you will be in? Keep in mind that although we can narrow things down to a selection of phrases needed for specific business related situations some general vocabulary is also important. After all, there are also social situations in the business world. Learning how to greet someone properly is just as important as knowing the specific words you will need to discuss business-related topics. Also, take into consideration there might be business lunches and dinners where the conversation might very generally be social.
Priority 2
Balance out fluency and accuracy activities so that your performance is both fluent and precise. Just studying grammar will make your English more precise, but it will also make your performance slower. If you’re too concerned with being accurate it might take you too long to think of and produce a sentence. On the other hand an excess in fluency-based activities may not be enough to correct mistakes or even learn new grammar. This can also be a problem since some grammar mistakes can affect what you’re trying to express. A good way to increase fluency is to use the language as much as you can outside the classroom.
Priority 3
Just relax. Keep in mind that English is not your native language and that you are allowed to make mistakes especially where pronunciation is concerned. Very often pronunciation can be a huge barrier to overcome. You shouldn’t set your expectations too high. It is not very likely you will be talking like a native speaker of English if you just started to study. Your main focus is to be understood as well as to understand. Everything else will come naturally with practice and exposure to the language. The use of audio tools that allow you to hear the language are very useful in helping you to learn proper English pronunciation easily. Audio tools (like the ones used in ESL classes) - such as CDs, cassettes, and downloads to your MP3 players are effective and convenient to use as you can listen to them in your car or while completing other tasks at the same time.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
How to Talk to Your Boss
Are enrolled in an ESL program and working in the US? You probably have a boss; unless they own their company, most people have bosses they have to report to and receive instructions from.
Here we will show you how to talk to your manager in correct business English; this is, to let him or her know exactly how you feel or what you need. We will show you how to properly ask for feedback, for an explanation, for more work, and to show frustration, among others.
1.When you are working on a project and you want your manager to review it before officially presenting it, there are numerous ways in which you can ask your manager to do so:
-Do you want to review my project?
-I just finished my project. Do you want to review it?
-This is my first big project and I was wondering if you could review it?
-I think I covered everything, but could you do a quick review?
2.After a project you worked on is completed, you should ask for feedback on it, however, make sure your manager has had enough time to go over the work before you ask for his or her opinion.
-Did you finish reviewing the project I concluded?
-Hi Steve, this was my first project and I wanted to know how I did so that I can get better.
-What do you think I could have done better?
-What should I do different next time?
-What did I do well and what needs to be improved?
3.It is good that you ask for feedback if you are new at a job or position. You can ask for it after you complete an assignment or after a few months on the job.
Some companies have a feedback process set up, where you have weekly or bi-weekly individual meetings with your manager, and this is a good time for you to talk about your work and everything else that concerns you.
If your company does not offer regular feedback meetings, you can schedule some time with your boss to talk about your development:
-Hi Jen, can we meet sometime this week to talk about my work so far?
-I was wondering if we could have a meeting to talk about how I am doing.
4.If your work doesn’t involve a specific project or assignment, you can ask for feedback about your work in general:
-Can you give me some feedback on my performance?
-Where do you think I need to improve?
-What areas you think I should work on?
-Do you think I am ready to work on a specific project?
-Do you think I am ready to get more responsibility?
When you know how to talk to your manager, you convey respect for yourself, your work, your boss, and your company; this is why it is crucial that you learn to communicate appropriately, in a way that enriches your professional growth and your company’s trust in you.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
Phrases that are Usually Used in Business Letters
Writing a business letter correctly is as important for your business image as dressing appropriately or speaking impeccably, and it can be very simple if you know what to say and how to say it.
Are you enrolled in an ESL class? If you are still trying to master business English and regularly have to write letters, don’t worry too much, keep it simple, pay attention to, and employ these phrases that are usually used in professional business letters to ask and talk about different topics:
1.To ask for information
-I am writing to inquire about…
-I am writing in reference to…
-I read/heard… and would like to know…
-Could you please send me… at the address below/above.
-Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you.
2.To answer a request
-Thank you for your interest/inquiry.
-Enclosed is the information you requested. You can learn more about this at…
-If you have further questions/If you need assistance, please contact…
-Please feel free to contact me at… if I can be of further help.
3.To make a request
-Could you please send me your most recent brochure?
-Could you fax me the results of the market survey?
-I would like to order ten copies of the book…
-I would really appreciate if you could send me this information.
-Please return the enclosed envelope with your payment.
4.To show you care
-Thank you for your hospitality.
-I enjoyed very much having lunch with you last week when I was in Dallas.
-Congratulations on your promotion to General Manager.
-I wanted to congratulate you on your new position.
-I was very happy to hear that the negotiations went well.
5.To introduce a product or service
-I am writing to tell you about…
-Our new product will be available next month.
-This product/service is designed to help you…
6.To give or ask for an indication
-I am writing in regards to…
-I am writing in reference to…
-Please refer to the enclosed invoice/brochure.
-I hope you have had the opportunity to review the materials we sent you.
7.To confirm something
-I am writing to confirm…
-I would like to confirm what we discussed last Tuesday.
-I would like to confirm the main points we talked about…
8.To notify something
-I am writing to let you know that…
-Please be aware/informed that…
-I would like to inform you about a recent change/happening. I am happy to notify you that your request for funding has been approved.
9.To offer help
-We would be happy to…
-If we can be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.
10.To ask for a payment
-According to our records…
-Our records show that…
-Your monthly payment is past due.
-Please send payment as soon as possible.
Business letters must be concise while at the same time respectful and honest, and you can achieve all that by using these phrases in your day-to-day business communications.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
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