Meet Emily Melville, an experienced ESL teacher and writer at Wonderful World English. Emily is a devoted, CELTA-qualified English teacher who dedicates her time to sharing valuable insights into language learning for students and educators.

---

Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) opens doors to many exciting paths, and one of them is teaching Business English.

This specialty is in demand as many individuals and companies want to improve their English to succeed in the business world.

Business English learners are often adults and professionals looking to advance in their careers.

They seek to communicate effectively in the global business arena, whether within their current roles or towards new opportunities.

If you’re an ESL teacher transitioning from general English to Business English, you’ll find the experience different, especially when teaching online.

The focus here is more on practical language skills that help in real business situations.

To teach Business English online, understanding students’ goals is vital. Teachers should employ practical techniques and engaging activities to enhance the learning experience. For instance, have students deliver presentations and use online platforms to simulate real-world business scenarios.

As an experienced Business English teacher, in this guide, I’ll share valuable insights on effectively teaching Business English online.

We’ll explore some practical techniques and activities to enhance your teaching and help your students achieve their goals.

This guide will be perfect for anyone new to teaching business English online.

Now, let’s get started on this rewarding adventure!

How to Teach Business English Online

Teaching Business English can be lively and engaging while maintaining a professional tone.

Building a good rapport with students leads to enjoyable and productive sessions for all.

Although the classes may be a professional requirement, many students see them as a chance to learn, have fun, and connect with others.

Having taught numerous online business sessions, I’ve gathered key advice for those starting out in this field.

Now, let’s delve into some practical tips and best practices for teaching Business English online:

1. Understand Your Students’ Needs

First, it’s crucial to delve into how your students incorporate English into their professional lives.

It’s pivotal to determine their exact needs, think about these aspects:

• In what ways is English a part of their daily job routines?
• Who are the individuals they interact with in English?
• If they aspire to secure a position requiring better English proficiency, what areas must they improve?

Tailoring your lessons to the answers to these questions is essential for best results.

For instance, teaching negotiation vocabulary might not resonate with an administrator primarily handling customer inquiries.

Understanding your students’ requirements will guide you in selecting relevant topics and materials and form a solid foundation before you strategize your online classes.

Some students might be on the pathway to obtaining certification to showcase their Business English proficiency.

Certifications like the Cambridge English assessments (B1 English Preliminary, B2 Business Vantage, and B3 Business Higher) can be of significant value.

For an in-depth understanding of these assessments, click here.

2. Establish the Class Dynamics

Understanding the class setup is key as it influences how you teach.

Consider the questions below:

• Are you teaching a large group from the same company?
• A mixed class from different places?
• Is it one-on-one sessions?

For instance, in a company group, students might already know each other.

Here, personal topics might be uncomfortable.

However, in one-on-one classes, discussing personal experiences could help the learning process.

Consider the class dynamics, and tailor your lessons to make sure everyone is comfortable and can learn effectively.

This way, you set the right tone for a productive learning environment.

For some great insights into the world of teaching English to adults, be sure to check out the guide below!

Related Article: How to Teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to Adults

3. Build a Structured Curriculum

Once you have a grasp of your student’s needs and the class dynamics, crafting a structured curriculum is the next step.

Start with a syllabus, the roadmap of your teaching journey.

It should clearly outline the topics and learning goals spread across the course timeline, letting both you and your students know what to expect and when.

A well-organized syllabus exudes professionalism and keeps everyone on track.

Incorporate key business vocabulary and phrases in your curriculum.

Dedicate sessions to explore a commonly used word or phrase, helping students build a solid language foundation for the corporate realm.

Tailor your lessons to cover terminology relevant to different industries, job roles, and typical business scenarios.

This focused approach prepares your students to excel in their professional communications and interactions.

The video below for fifty key business English phrases that can give you inspiration on what you can include within your curriculum:

4. Offer Flexibility

Flexibility is especially crucial in business English teaching, given that your students are also busy professionals.

Your students, much like yourself, juggle between work deadlines, meetings, family, and hobbies.

Hence, it’s important to understand that their time outside class may be limited.

Be accommodating with out-of-class assignments, keeping in mind their other commitments.

They might not always have ample time for extra practice.

However, if a student has specific goals or extra time, encourage them to engage more.

Being flexible in your approach will foster a supportive learning environment, catering to the diverse schedules and needs of your professional learners.

Check out the free teacher’s guide below for some great insights on how to effectively teach a language online.

Related Article: How to Teach a Language Online – Free Teacher’s Guide

5. Leverage Online Resources

Online teaching opens up a treasure trove of engaging, often free, resources that can make Business English learning vibrant and enjoyable.

Move beyond traditional texts or office dialogues.

There’s a rich variety of materials like TED talks, news from The Guardian or BBC, and podcasts on professional topics that offer authentic learning experiences.

Consider a flipped classroom approach where students explore the material beforehand, and class time is dedicated to honing skills and vocabulary.

You could also review resources together during class, crafting activities that guide students through the material step by step.

Utilize videos, songs, and conversations to create a lively Business English atmosphere.

This immersive experience keeps students engaged and entertained.

Encourage students to use online resources for practice and review.

It’s a convenient and effective way to reinforce what they’ve learned and keep the momentum going outside the classroom.

6. Navigate Challenges

Successfully teaching Business English online entails overcoming challenges that may arise.

Students will vary in English proficiency, confidence, and motivation.

It’s your job to keep lessons relevant and engaging to sustain their interest.

If you sense a dip in engagement, inject some excitement with a game or activity.

Utilize real-world examples and success stories to fuel their motivation toward achieving language goals.

The formality of business language might intimidate some students.

Address this by reassuring them that mistakes are part of the learning journey, and you’re there to support them.

Foster a warm, supportive environment by smiling, being approachable, and encouraging open communication both in and out of the classroom.

Prompt students to ask questions and share their thoughts, boosting their confidence and language skills concurrently.

Remember, feedback is invaluable.

Ask your students for their insights regarding the course, and be willing to adapt your methods and curriculum to better meet their needs and expectations.

Through this collaborative approach, you can create a conducive learning atmosphere that propels your students toward their language learning objectives in the business realm.

Popular Business English Activities

Games and activities are fantastic tools to animate online Business English classes.

They promote active participation while making learning more enjoyable and effective.

Here are some activity ideas that can enhance your online Business English teaching experience:

1. Inventions Showcase Activity

This is an excellent way for students to practice presenting their ideas orally and can be tied into topics like technology and product design.

In groups (also works one-to-one), students present an invention to the group, giving details on its use, who it’s designed for, its pros and cons, etc.

If you have a group class on your online platform, you can split the students into breakout rooms so they can work on their ideas and bring them back together for the main presentation.

To add an interesting interactive element, you could get the students to vote for which invention is the most useful or get them to give the other groups a score out of 10 for their invention and presentation skills.

This is a great one to get business students thinking and discussing a subject they show interest in.

Of course, you don’t have to limit this to inventions; feel free to give your students projects on any subject relevant to their company or course.

2. Videocall Vocabulary 

With the shift to online business meetings, utilizing platforms like Zoom or Teams for your classes can mimic real-world scenarios, making it ideal for teaching students the language they’ll use in video conferences during their daily work.

Explore phrases related to internet connection issues, video and audio problems, screen sharing, and more.

Encourage students, if their level is suitable, to switch their device language to English, allowing them to familiarize with the terms firsthand.

This activity not only equips them with relevant vocabulary but also gives them a practical understanding of online communication tools, preparing them for digital interactions in their professional lives.

As it continues to grow in demand, have you ever wondered whether online teaching is as effective as face-to-face?

Discover the pros and cons of each and which one we think is best in the article below!

Related Article: Is Online Learning as Good as Face-to-Face Learning?

3. Guess the Job Role 

Here’s a fun game to engage everyone and get them thinking.

Distribute different job roles to each student on your online platform using the private chat function, like CEO, administrator, project manager, and so on.

Students then take turns asking questions about the job responsibilities to guess the job role, with queries like “do they make big decisions?” or “do they answer phones?”.

This activity is especially effective in a class where students come from the same company and are familiar with specific roles within their organization or industry.

It serves as a great icebreaker, helping students loosen up and gear up for learning.

Besides being fun, it also provides a platform for students to learn and use vocabulary related to job roles and responsibilities in a relaxed setting.

4. Learning Game Websites

Websites like Bamboozle and Kahoot! are excellent tools for reviewing grammar and vocabulary in an engaging and interactive way.

While these platforms are often associated with younger learners, they can inject a fun competitive spirit into adult classes too.

The competitive nature of adults can turn a regular review session into an exciting challenge.

The moment you share a Kahoot! or Baamboozle screen in an online business class, you might notice a sudden buzz of excitement among your students as they compete while learning.

However, ensure this approach aligns with the group’s expectations and the professional tone of the class.

Not every group may find this method suitable, so knowing your students’ preferences is key.

These platforms are just a glimpse into the myriad of online resources available to make your online business English classes lively and effective.

For some great ideas on fun classroom games that you can take inspiration from and even adapt to your own classes, check out the teacher’s guide below!

Related Article: Fun Classroom Games to Play – Teacher’s Guide

Conclusion

Business English is a sought-after subject globally, and the rise of online teaching has only boosted the demand to learn it in a digital setting.

There are innovative ways to make business English teaching engaging and effective.

It’s crucial for teachers to understand their students’ objectives and customize lessons to meet these goals.

Proficiency in navigating the online platform and incorporating authentic learning materials are key to a rich learning experience.

The internet offers a plethora of resources.

Activities like the invention presentation and video call vocabulary can be quite engaging.

By adhering to the tips in this guide, teachers aspiring to teach business English online can optimize their classes for the benefit of all participants.

Adaptability is vital.

Be ready to tweak your curriculum and teaching approach to align with your students’ needs, and don’t forget to make the learning journey enjoyable!

We trust this guide will serve you well on your teaching adventure!

Have a wonderful day!

Image Attribution: All images licensed via canva.com