Need to brush up on your English for business purposes? You’re in the right place. Business-level English can open your professional world to a host of new career possibilities. If you’re hoping to work in industries like finance, law, politics, and marketing, Business English could be very useful for you to learn. It’s well understood that English has developed to become the universal language for global business. By beginning your English language learning journey now, you’re preparing yourself for a business career anywhere in the world!
Business English differs from “regular English” in that sense that you’re preparing specifically to work on business-related vocabulary and use cases, such as business writing, presentations, negotiations, and meetings. One of the best ways to learn a new language (or simply brush up on existing skills) is through live course instruction. Live instruction allows for real-time correction of mispronunciations and grammatical errors, with one-on-one instruction to ensure you get the help you need ASAP.
Bilingual people in business-oriented careers are better communicators, more confident, and more competitive on the job market. Think about it: if your dream job is deciding between you, a candidate who can enter the English market confidently, and another candidate who is not fluent in Business English, you have much better odds of getting the job- and promotions as you work your way up, to boot!
Want to learn Business English in Thailand? Only four steps stand between you and launching your language learning journey: selecting a school, selecting a course, selecting a campus, and of course, preparing for school. Here’s how to do it:
- Select Your SchoolIt’s important to select a high-quality school that promotes a teaching philosophy and style that resonate with you. Here are some key factors for you to consider:Emphasis on Quality Teaching: When researching institutions, be sure to keep an eye for the quality of teaching methodology and course material. The higher the quality, the better your results will be you’ll be a stronger communicator and a more competitive candidate for your dream career. For example, live instruction is widely considered the pinnacle of teaching styles, so look out for institutions that adhere to this style.Class Size: Look for institutions that boast smaller class sizes. The smaller the class size, the more time the teacher will be able to spend with you to answer your questions, provide corrections, and overall, help you progress your Business English. In general, any amount under 20 students per class can be considered a smaller than average class size. Of course, if it’s one-on-one teaching you’re looking for, you can disregard this advice.Location: There are many English Language schools in Thailand, but the country is diverse! Pick your location strategically based on where you’d like to live, what kind of commute you prefer, and the general vibe of the city you’d like to spend time in.Flexibility of Course Offerings: It’s important to find a school that offers a variety of programs that appeal to your needs. Despite your interest being in Business English, look for schools that offer a progressive approach to learning. Can you take Business English courses at different levels of difficulty? Is there an opportunity to specialize in particular aspects of Business English? For example, if your goal is to progress to full fluency in marketing-related terminology and vocabulary, be sure that your selected school can accommodate this. A little research will clear it up quickly.
- Select the Perfect Course The best schools offer courses specific to your needs. Look for a course that focuses on Business English so that you get the most value for your money. A general English course won’t prepare you adequately, as you won’t cover specific terminology and use cases that you need to succeed in the business environment. For example, Insight English’s business course covers the following key topics:General Business Communication: Gain exposure to all the core business language skills you need to succeed day-to-day in the office. Learn how to formally introduce yourself, describe numbers, charts, and trends, connect with clients in-person and via telephone, and pitch products or services.Negotiations: Successful negotiations are important to establishing yourself as business-savvy. It requires accuracy, confidence, and specific vocabulary. You will learn how to negotiate contracts, salaries, and more by learning about prices, offers, concessions, and terms.Meetings: Meetings are part of daily life for people in business. There are several key language skills you need to succeed in this context, including how to introduce yourself, open a meeting, politely agree and disagree, summarize information, ask questions, and build relationships with your colleagues.Presentations: Many business careers require you to make regular presentations. It’s important to learn the proper language and structure to pull them off, including learning about the differences between a formal and informal presentation, how to open the presentation, how to make transitions, present numbers and graphs, answer questions, and conclude the presentation.Interviews: Often, you need to succeed at an interview before landing a business job. Preparation is essential, especially for learning how to introduce yourself, discuss your past experiences and achievements, and ask questions. No matter what type of business role you’re interviewing for, these are important skills to have.As you can see, there are many areas of study specific to Business English that are important to learn, making this course much more useful to you than a basic, general English course.Of course, even within the category of “Business English”, different learners will have different needs. As you’re evaluating courses, keep an eye out for those that offer flexibility and customization. The best course for you will be one that’s tailored directly for you, but not every school offers this service.
- Select Your Ideal CampusThe most successful schools teaching Business English will have multiple locations so that you can select the one that best suits you. For example, with branches in Silom (Bangkok), Lad Prao (Bangkok), and the resort town of Hua Hin, Insight English allows you to choose the campus that best appeals to your interests. While the Bangkok campuses are ideal for those who thrive in city life and want to explore the city, Hua Hin is ideal for beach-oriented people who love nature. Take your pick! There’s no wrong answer.
- Start Preparing for Your EducationWhile it is possible to jump right into Business English without much previous English language knowledge, it’s not ideal. If you can, try to gain exposure to English before commencing your Business English course. This can be through another course, such as Insight English’s “General English” course, or through more informal means. Here are some ways to inspire you in getting familiar with English pre-course:
Select Your Ideal Campus
The most successful schools teaching Business English will have multiple locations so that you can select the one that best suits you. For example, with branches in Silom (Bangkok), Lad Prao (Bangkok), and the resort town of Hua Hin, Insight English allows you to choose the campus that best appeals to your interests. While the Bangkok campuses are ideal for those who thrive in city life and want to explore the city, Hua Hin is ideal for beach-oriented people who love nature. Take your pick! There’s no wrong answer.
Start Preparing for Your Education
While it is possible to jump right into Business English without much previous English language knowledge, it’s not ideal. If you can, try to gain exposure to English before commencing your Business English course. This can be through another course, such as Insight English’s “General English” course, or through more informal means. Here are some ways to inspire you in getting familiar with English pre-course:
Read Business-Related News
The internet is an amazing resource! Start brushing up on business-related English vocabulary informally by perusing news sites. Look up words and phrases you don’t know and be sure to take notes of words that come up frequently- they’re likely important!
To gain the most benefits here, stick to news that’s directly relevant to your sub-area of interest. For example, you can explore the latest marketing techniques, keep up with trading trends, or learn about new presentation formats. Whatever piques your interest, go for it, and try to keep up on a regular basis.
Watch Business-Related TV Shows
You can find tons of relevant TV shows on YouTube or streaming services like Netflix. Look for business-related titles like Wall Street, Suits, Mad Men, and Wolf of Wall Street. Fair warning: you won’t necessarily find business role models or mentors in these shows, but you will gain exposure to English and business vocabulary in a variety of settings. It’s a fun, passive, and free way to commence building a strong foundation for your education.
Connect With English-Speaking Peers
If you are part of a business cohort that will be learning English together, take advantage of it! Practice basic English amongst yourselves and try integrating business terminology as you feel comfortable. If you don’t have people in real life to practice with, there are tons of forums online that can connect you with fellow learners- and even native English speakers ready to help. There’s no substitute for live learning, even if it’s with peers and not a professional instructor.
To learn more about learning Business English in Thailand with Insight English, connect with us! We’ve helped hundreds of professionals like yourself to improve their English skills through live instruction and active learning strategies. You’ll be ready for the business world before you know it. Visit us here!