Business English Courses: Towards Sociolinguistic and Pragmatic Competence

Business English Courses: Towards Sociolinguistic and Pragmatic Competence

Jendrych, Elzbieta

Global business environment requires a new approach to needs analysis in business English courses for adult learners. With increasing demand for excellent business communicators from multinational corporations, language teachers, publishers and materials writers are expected to offer more effective language courses. To be good communicators learners need to acquire both linguistic and non-linguistic competence. The latter refers to sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence and includes four basic components: (1) practicing transferable business skills and managerial skills, (2) being aware of intercultural differences and business etiquette, (3) understanding the principles of business ethics and corporate social responsibility, and (4) applying the principles of effecting business writing. Time of the course permitting, these four components incorporated into a language course are likely to make it more attractive and useful to the learner. This approach to language teaching was assessed in a questionnaire – tertiary level students were asked to assess their competence, strengths and weaknesses. The results of the study suggest that students highly appreciate the non-linguistic course components. The respondents believe that these components are of key importance in effective business communication and contribute to increased employability and promotion opportunities.

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

2011-05

60