Many executives and entrepreneurs think: “I need to learn to speak English fast”. The reality is that they already have a good command of the language, but they must enrich their vocabulary of the business English.
Are you nervous because you have an important meeting or presentation in a few days? Should it be part of the negotiation of an agreement? Don't worry, here are the keys to mastering business English in no time.
What is business English?
Business English is part of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Many non-native speakers of English study the subject with the aim of doing business with English-speaking countries, or with companies located outside the Anglo-Saxon world but nonetheless using English as a shared language or lingua franca.
Much of the communication in English that takes place in business circles around the world is between non-native speakers. In these cases, the object of the exercise is efficient, persuasive and clear communication.
The syllabi to learn business English vary according to the needs of each student. In some cases, they focus on vocabulary and topics used in the world of business, commerce, finance, and international relations.
In other situations, the study plans are focused on developing the communication skills used in the professional field. This includes working on fluency and confidence when transmitting ideas, as well as learning to prepare materials of business / sales / entrepreneurial taking into account the good practices of formal writing, the handling of jargon, technicalities and the keys of multicultural socialization.
What knowledge do I need to have to speak business English?
Ideally, the student should have prior knowledge of general English and a minimum intermediate level (No limitation).
Study business English effectively:
1. Definition of objectives
You must follow a study plan that takes you directly towards your goal in the shortest possible time. For this, you need to know your current level of English; this will indicate your weaknesses and strengths, in addition to the CEFR rating.
2. Challenge yourself
From the first moment you should start practicing your oral English in different scenarios: presentations, conversations and arguments. In addition, you need to learn to overcome stage fright or the insecurities that assail you when speaking in another language.
This process becomes much more efficient and optimal with the guidance of a native tutor specialized in Business English, Technical English or English for Specific Purposes.
A native English tutor or teacher will know how to shape the curriculum to fully integrate it into your day-to-day life, ensuring continuous improvement without overwhelming you or interfering with your responsibilities.
3. Prepare
Always go to your meetings, presentations, conferences and interviews prepared. Keep your ideas written down, write your speech, anticipate possible questions, use visual support and continually nurture yourself with new vocabulary.
If you prefer to learn Business English in one course, the individual format Spanish Coaching It may be a good choice.
learn business english
If you prefer to learn english for business in a course, the individual English Coaching format can be a good option.
Why is it important to learn English for business?
However, both the digital world and international trade make English for business is a fundamental piece in the expansion and success of professionalsas well as in companies. The importance of learning English lies in the fact that one in four people in the world will communicate with this language, regardless of whether it is their mother tongue or not.
In other words, English will allow companies to maintain business relationships with a wide network of people. According to the University of Dusseldorf, this figure is 1.5 billion men and women around the world.
On the other hand, learning business English allows companies to undertake international corporate growth. Therefore, they need at least half of their employees to master the language to be part of the organization. Which makes this an important selection criteria.
Also, learn english for business allows to achieve the following:
- You have access to better business opportunities.
- Gain confidence when having to make a presentation or be involved in a negotiation.
- You perform better by having a job-related meeting or interview.
30 English phrases for doing business
In any meeting or job interview that requires you to use business vocabulary in English, it is possible to take advantage of certain general phrases that you have learned to use in other types of interactions. For example, when you want to start or end the conversation, talk about your experience, propose a new meeting.
when presenting
- Welcome, everyone. My name is José and I am the Marketing Manager (Uelcom evribari. Mai naim is José an ay am dze marketin manayer)
Hello everyone. My name is José and I am the Marketing Manager - Hi, I'm Douglas. I'm going to keep this brief. (Jai, Am Douglas. Am going tu kip dzis brif)
Hi, I'm Douglas. I'll be quick - Today I'm here to talk to you about… (Tudai am gir tu tolc tu yu abaut...)
I'm here today to talk to you about... - The reason I asked you here today is… (Dze rison ai askd yu gir tudei is…)
The reason I'm here today is...
Schedule a next meeting
- I'd like to set up a meeting with you at your earliest convenience. When are you free? (Aid laik tu setap a rally uitz yu at yur erliest conveniens)
I would like to schedule a meeting with you as soon as possible. When is it available? - Next time, we are going to meet up with our colleagues from Miami. (Next taim, ui ar goin tu mitap uitz oor colegs from Maiami)
Next time, we are going to meet with Our Miami Colleagues - I'm sorry but I can't make it on Monday. How about next week? (Am sorry, bat ai cant meikit on Mondei. Jau abaut necst uik?
I'm sorry, but I can't on Monday. What do you think next week? - When can we talk about this again? (Uen can ui tolc abaut dzis aguen
When can we talk about this again? - Okay, I look forward to seeing you then. (Ouquei, ai luk foruard tu siingyu dzen)
Okay, we'll see you then
when saying goodbye
- Thanks for the meeting
(Dzanks for the rally)
thanks for the meeting - It was a real pleasure being here today. Goodbye and thank you (It uas a rial pleshur biing girr tudei. Gudbai and dzankiu)
It was really a pleasure to be here today. see you later and thanks - Well that's all from me (Uel Dzats ol from me)
That's all for me
For more specific situations, you can start practicing and expanding your business English vocabulary with these below. These phrases for do business They will surely help you to give greater fluidity and confidence to your participation in the meeting.
At a conference or presentation
- I'm delighted to be here today to tell you about…
(Am delaired tu be girr tudei tu telyu abaut)
I'm delighted to be here today to talk to you about... - Firstly I'll talk about… (Ferstly ail tolc abaut)
First I will tell you about ... - Then we'll look at… (Dzen ui uil luk at)
Then we will review... - And finally we'll look at… (An fainaly, uil luk at)
Finally we will talk about... - I'd like to make a point (Help laik tu meik a point)
I would like to emphasize something - I will be glad to answer any questions (Ai uil bi glad tu anser eni questions)
I will gladly answer any question - Sorry, but just to clarify… (Sorry, bot yust tu clarifai)
Sorry, but just to clarify...
in a call
- May I speak with Mr. Robertson, please?
(Mei ai espik uidz mister Robertson, pliz)
Can I speak to Mr. Robertson, please? - I'm calling to ask about… (Am colin yu abaut…)
I'm calling to ask about... - I'm sorry, I can't hear you very well. Could you speak up a little, please? (I'm sorry, I can't jiir yu very uel. Cud yu espicap a lidel, pliz)
I am sorry. I can't hear you very well. Could you speak a little louder, please? - Could you spell that, please? (Cud yu espel dzat, pliz)
Could you spell it, please? - May I leave a message, please? (Mei ail if a mesash, pliz)
Can I leave a message please?
in a negotiation
- We'll have to consult our lawyer regarding this matter (Uil JAF tu consolt soil louyer rigardin dzis Mader)
We will have to consult an attorney of ours on this matter - To think outside the box (Your dzink otsaid dze box)
Think outside the box - If I could just quickly interrupt you there, Marcus… (If ai cud yust cuikly interrupt yu der, Marcus)
If I may interrupt you for a moment, Marcus... - To pull strings (Your pull strings)
pull the strings - How do we initiate this process? (Jau du ui initiateit dzis process)
How do we start this process? - We are willing to consider your offer but with some changes (Ui ar uiling tu consider yur offer uitz som chenyies)
We will consider your offer, but with some changes - Unfortunately, we can see no point in continuing negotiations (Onfortuneitly, ui can yes no point in continuing negotiations)
Unfortunately, we see no point in continuing negotiations - It's been a pleasure doing business with you! (Its biin a pleshure duin bisnes uitz yu)
It has been a pleasure doing business with you! - Yes, that sounds good (Yes, dat sounds gud)
If that sounds good - It's a deal! (It's a dil)
Done deal!
It doesn't matter if you have to give a lecture, make a presentation or have a short call. Learn them and learn how to incorporate them progressively as you speak. Remember to organize your time to practice in order to reach a higher level of fluency.
5 Tips to improve your vocabulary
Since you know several phrases that can be used in your work environment, we will give you 5 tips or recommendations that you can apply to improve your business English vocabulary. Among them are the following:
Consume content in English.
Good advice for incorporate new English vocabulary, is to consume content in this language. You can do it through reading, music, movies, series, among other options. The good thing about this is that you will expand your vocabulary and identify how certain phrases and words are used.
Doing this exercise will help you to know how words are used according to the context, and it will also allow you to develop your ear, identifying complete sentences easily.
Practice whenever you can.
The next tip is to practice whenever you can. This is key to improving your pronunciation, so you will achieve greater security and confidence in the language.
To ensure you practice business English, set up a daily study schedule. Devote at least 30 minutes of your day to the language. The constancy of this advice is very important to learn quickly.
Seek expert advice.
Having an expert in business English will help you and your team to solve all your doubts in the language. In addition you can develop and refine your speeches or special presentations aimed at its international clients.
Learn English phrases, not just individual words.
Business English students commonly acquire the language by learning words. However, it is difficult for them to form sentences. That is why it is important that through the consumption of this language you can incorporate complete sentences.
By learning English phrases you will be able to expand your vocabulary by understanding the context and the way sentences are used.
Watch movies and series.
As we mentioned before, it is important consume content in English. Especially if it is a series or movies. If you want to improve your vocabulary, it is advisable not to use subtitles, so you can fully focus on the sentences and what is happening in each scene.
If you don't fully understand a movie or series, you can copy the phrases you didn't understand to find meaning and add it to your vocabulary.
Conclusion.
Do you want to take your Business English vocabulary to another level? It is time for you to stand out in your next business meetings, because with these phrases that we share you can take the first step. Now you only need to contact us to learn this language in depth.
In English2Go We have fully personalized online courses. They take into account the needs of our clients, so we adapt to their strengths and weaknesses in the language.
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