Business English in the UK

London. Historical London - Tower Bridge, Lady Di's Palace, The Houses of Parliament and Sherlock Holmes. The London Scene - clubs, pubs, movies, art, fashion, music, festivals and flower shows. International London - ethnic communities, Euro-hub, Euro-gateway, shops, fashion, food and art of absolutely every description. Each and all of these are good reasons to study English in London, but none can equal the original reason and the main reason - International trade.

It was international trade that made London the largest city in Europe, and five hundred years of Empire that established its language as the lingua franca of international business. Modern London is still the main commercial centre in Europe, and as proof of this over 80% of American, Japanese and other non-European international companies have their European headquarters in the UK.

Upon this foundation the world's largest and most elaborate and varied English as a Foreign Language (EFL) industry has been built, and with such a rich 'international' tradition to draw upon, the UK EFL industry can justly claim to be the most truly 'international' in the world. Generally speaking, modern UK-trained EFL teachers think 'international', teaching 'international English', and with so many sources of English to draw upon (from all the international companies and organisations that are represented in the UK), they are able to bring into the classroom examples of every possible variety of English from anywhere in the world.

The same is true of the 'Business English' sector of the UK EFL industry, which in other respects is more highly developed than its counterparts overseas. For almost ten years, specialist training courses and qualifications have existed for EFL teachers who wish to become specialists in 'Business English' training. Foremost among these is the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board (LCCIEB) Certificate in Teaching English for Business (CertTEB), which equips experienced
EFL teachers with the specialist skills and knowledge they need in order to teach 'Business English' courses more effectively.

Such is the success and importance of this qualification, which has become an important benchmark for the EFL industry, LCCIEB have recently introduced a lower level Foundation Certificate for Teachers of Business English (FTBE) for less experienced EFL teachers wishing to enter this specialist field. International students wishing to be sure their 'Business English' course is taught by properly qualified teachers who are specialists in this important area should satisfy themselves that they are holders of either of these qualifications.

British EFL schools and institutions also offer a wide range of more specialist courses such as 'English for Banking' or 'English for Engineering', and more and more these days have the facility for putting together 'tailor-made' courses for particular needs and interests. In doing so, they are drawing upon a tradition of 'learner-centred' adult education that has been developed in the UK since the 1950's and 1960's and which other countries, including other EFL-teaching countries, are only now beginning to adopt.

The UK EFL industry is also the acknowledged world leader in terms of 'communicative' methodologies in the EFL classroom. This means that if it is practical English skills you wish to learn, such as business interaction or effective written/spoken communication, rather than a more 'academic' study of English as a subject delivered by a 'lecturer', the UK is definitely the place to study.

A final thought for the international student thinking of where to go for a 'Business English' course - UK EFL courses of all kinds attract a genuinely international blend of students, a truly interesting mix of potential contacts and friends. Wherever they study in the UK, from Edinburgh to Cardiff, from Brighton to York, they are more likely to find themselves in a mixed group containing students from Scandinavia to South America, the Far East to Africa, Europe to the Pacific Rim, than in a corresponding group in any other EFL-teaching country.

Author
Phil Griffin
Product Development Manager
LCCIEB