Business English

What is ESL Business?

ESL for business is English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction that is specifically designed for people who want to use English in a business setting. This type of instruction typically focuses on the following skills:

• Business vocabulary: This includes words and phrases related to business, such as marketing, finance, and management.

• Business grammar: This includes the rules of grammar that are specific to business English, such as how to write emails and reports.

• Business communication: This includes the skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English in a business setting.

• Business culture: This includes understanding the cultural norms of different countries and how they affect business communication.

There are many different ways to measure the different levels of ESL for business. One common way is to use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The CEFR is a six-level scale that is used to measure language proficiency in general, but it can also be used to measure proficiency in specific areas, such as business English.

The CEFR levels for business English are as follows:

• A1: Basic user: A person who is at the A1 level of business English can understand and use very basic phrases and expressions related to everyday life. They can also communicate simple needs and information.

A1 Level

Greeting people and introducing yourself.

Asking for and giving directions.

Ordering food and drinks.

Making simple purchases.

Expressing basic needs and wants.

• A2: Elementary user: A person who is at the A2 level of business English can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). They can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics.

A2 Level

Talking about your job and your family.

Making appointments and reservations.

Writing simple emails and letters.

Understanding simple instructions and procedures.

Giving and following directions.

• B1: Intermediate user: A person who is at the B1 level of business English can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. They can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken. They can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.

B1 Level

Participating in meetings and discussions.

Writing reports and presentations.

Negotiating contracts and agreements.

Giving presentations in English.

Understanding technical terminology.

• B2: Upper-intermediate user: A person who is at the B2 level of business English can understand the main points of complex standard input on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization. They can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. They can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

B2 Level

Conducting business correspondence.

Managing projects and teams.

Networking with other professionals.

Giving presentations to international audiences.

Translating documents and contracts.

• C1: Advanced user: A person who is at the C1 level of business English can understand a wide range of challenging, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. They can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.

C1 Level

Advising clients and customers.

Solving problems and negotiating disputes.

Writing and editing complex documents.

Presenting complex information to a variety of audiences.

Interpreting between English and other languages.

• C2: Proficiency: A person who is at the C2 level of business English can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. They can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. They can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most subtle or complex situations.

C2 Level

Working as a translator or interpreter.

Teaching English as a foreign language.

Conducting research in English.

Publishing articles and books in English.

Advising multinational corporations on business matters.

The specific level of ESL for business that is required will vary depending on the specific job and the company. However, most companies will require at least a B1 level of proficiency.

If you are interested in learning more about ESL for business, there are many resources available online and in libraries. You can also find ESL for business classes at community colleges, universities, and private language schools.