Defense Gutter

It is true to say that around 1 billion people learn English around the world. For many it is important on an academic basis, while for others it is vitally important for their jobs. English is now the “global language” of business, politics, international relations, culture, and entertainment.

The world of business is hugely diverse; the practical functions that people have to perform in their work are broadly similar. However, communication problems, whether personal or business, translate directly into losses, zero result in selling and negotiations, and the inability to conduct business in the international arena.

A good English course helps business professionals exceed in their job position and communicate effectively in English in a business environment. The skills that one learns on a business English course equip individuals with a liberating confidence and ability to express oneself in the English language. In the corporate world, English is used for international communication, meetings, presentations and interviews, mostly all of these are conducted in English. As well as this, business English courses give employees more opportunities to widen their career prospects and advance up the ladder within a company. Proficiency in English has become a mandatory requirement for any professional working in a global business environment. And the need to be proficient in English is now a basic skill for any global worker. It is important for all professionals to understand the professional jargon used in their industry. Many argue that a deficiency in this area may present many barriers for an employee’s professional and personal development.

As a result, most employers have now become very concerned about their employee’s skills in both spoken and written English. Employers have realised that individuals require a range of occupationally specific knowledge and skills and the ability to transfer knowledge and skills to different situations is hugely important. Large scale surveys of language and literacy skills reveal that the work force needs have to be constantly upgraded in terms of appropriate skills required.

Therefore, many employers have now turned to corporate training companies to help them enhance their staff’s skills in English; they have recognised the importance and the need for such training for those staff where English is not their first language. An internationally recognised business qualification such as BEC or BULATS, both produced by Cambridge University have become increasingly important exams for employees to sit. A professional having this qualification can demonstrate that they have learned English to a high level and can use it in a professional context. The pressure is thus building for everyone involved in international business and ambitious individuals are recognising that they not only need to maintain a good standard of English, but it is also important to increase fluency and overall competence.

It is necessary that all business English courses are designed to improve confidence in speaking, reading, writing and listening in a business context. The focus should be on language that is needed for business activities. For corporate group training, it is important that the content is fully tailored and adjusted to the proficiency level of the attendees and also their job-specific needs. The course should meet the demands of the company and also the business community while developing the employees English communication skills so they can communicate effectively in today’s competitive job market.

Those working in business have acknowledged the fact that a successful business is a business with fluent English speaking employees and these types of employees increase revenue. To sum up, the new age of technology and the tools that are now available for businesses to operate in many parts of the world have made it essential for all individuals to understand and use English, this is why it is necessary for ESL learners to increase their competence in English and further their English language studies.