English for Business Purposes

Course: Topics on Teaching English for Specific Purpose

Instructor: Dr. Hsiu-Hui SuPresenter: Vivian 9722607

March 12th, 2009

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Aims of EBP

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Characteristics of Business English• Users of Business English

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NNS

NS

Characteristics of Business English• Definitions of Business English

– The careful research and design of pedagogical materials and activities for an identifiable group of adult learners within a specific learning content. (Johns & Dudley-Evans, 1991)

– Designed to meet specified needs of the learner. (Strevens, 1998)

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Characteristics of Business English

(Ellis & Johnson, 1994)5

EGBP V.S. ESBP

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Object Focus

EGBP

Pre-experience learners

•Presentation through listening and/or reading•Practice grammar and vocabulary

ESBP

Job-experienced learners

•Deep-end approach•Fluency activity•Outcome language and skills work

EGBP V.S. ESBP

Teacher Language school manager

EGBP

Develop relationships over time

Become familiar with materialHave a regular pattern to lessons

Need regular intakesUse class sets of booksOrganize the taking of public tests

ESBP

Establish instant relationshipsUse different material each timeHave no pattern to lessons

Block weeks of timeNeed wide range of resourcesNeed more staff planning time

7(Developments in English for Specific Purposes,

Reflection 4a, p.57)

The role of needs analysis in Business English• Need analysis

(Holden, 1993; Yin & Wong, 1990)8

Teachers of Business English

• Acquiring the resources of EBP trainer– The communicative functioning of EBP– The business people’s expectations and

learning strategies– The psychology of personal and

interpersonal interactions– Management theories and practice– First-class training skills

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Key issues for Business English• The communicative functioning of

English in business contexts

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Key issues for Business English• Learners’ expectations and strategies

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Course variables Students Business people

•Group size•Materials/handouts•Pace of classes•Learners’ age•Assessment procedures•Pre-course information•Quality and style•Appearance

VariablePhotocopiesAverage18-25Formal exams

NoneMixedCasual

Small 1-8Printed + folderFast25-55None

Printed bookletHighSmart

(Developments in English for Specific Purposes, Task 4d, p.65)

Key issues for Business English• The role of cross-cultural

communication– Four relationship dimensions of EBP

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Key issues for Business English• Management theory and practice

(John, 1996)13

Key issues for Business English• Communication skills training

(Ellis & Johnson, 1994)14

EBP V.S. EAP

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References

• Ellis, M., & Johnson, C. (1994). Teaching Business English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• John, M. (1996). Business is booming: Business English in the 1990s. English for Specific Purposes, 15(1), 3-18.

• Scollon, R., & Scollon, S. W. (1995). Intercultural communication : a discourse approach. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.

• Trompenaar, F. (1999). 卓皮納斯文化報告。臺北市 : 麥格羅希爾。

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Thank you for attention!