Developing Effective Business English Learning Skills

Learning to use business English takes more than just learning everyday conversational English. You are no longer studying simple concepts, but are now making an effort to understand complex terms and how they relate to a certain industry. The method used is not academic, but it’s practical and meant to be applied to real-life situations, dealing with people that matter to your work or business. So getting it right and learning at a decent pace is of prime importance. Let’s have a look at a few skills you can use to bolster your business English on the fly.

First off, learn sentences, not just words. In my travels I have encountered many students who have taken a list of new vocabulary words and then memorized them. If they put forth the effort, they will have also learned the definitions, however they never learned how to use the words, so they couldn’t actually communicate. It’s like buying and preparing all the ingredients to bake a cake and then never putting them together to actually make it! Therefore, simply learning a word, or a list of words, isn’t enough. What should you do? After learning a new word and its meaning, memorize one or two sentences containing the word. This will have you using the word in no time!

Let’s take for example the word “decipher.” This word is commonly used in business English meaning “to make something clearer or to explain what is complicated.”

Instead of just memorizing the word, memorize some sentences that use it: We need to decipher their meaning; Maybe you could decipher what is meant in these policies; Thanks for deciphering that.

Using this method will not only provide you with a better understanding of how to use the word, but also a prepared sentence that you can take out and use whenever you deem appropriate. Then don’t stop there. Continue to use the word in different sentences for different situations and you will see how versatile it really can be. Before you know it, you will be able to make sentences with the new words whenever you want.

Next, don’t be content to only answer questions as you study your business English. Answering is good, but to take it to the level, learn how to ask effective questions. So, instead of simply following a word pattern and using it to answer, you now have to formulate your own patterns and grammatical structures. This takes more brain power and time so you will be exercising your linguistic abilities to a higher degree. It puts you in the driver’s seat in conversations and you will be able to direct the discussion to where you want it to go. Of course, questions are valuable when seeking information and getting to know the other party in conversation.

Another method you could use is planning your communication ahead of time when possible. Before you embark on any kind of business communication, whether it’s to make a conference call or write an email to a customer, always take the time to think about what and how to convey your message. Think about the grammar you’ll use. Think about the words and phrases that’ll make your message clearer.

For instance, before attending a meeting, look through the agenda to see what topics will be discussed. Make notes about what you plan to say including the grammar and any words or phrases that’ll be useful. Use these to practice making meaningful sentences.

This type of preparation doesn’t just ensure that you’ll sound more competent and professional in your business communications, it also serves as extra grammar and speaking practice that’ll get you fluent faster.

Finally, just listen, I mean really listen! Just like you listened as a child before you started speaking, you have to listen to business English before you can speak it. Even if your main learning style is different, the first key to speaking is listening. Hearing the same phrases over and over again makes a lasting impression on your mind. Audio lessons and podcasts are a great way to accomplish this. You can incorporate this learning method as you commute to work either listening as you drive or as you take public transit. Hone in on words that are new to you. Discern what the speaker’s purpose for speaking in a certain way is. Pick up on subtle pronunciations and any distinct accents that are different from yours. Learning business English in such a way can really have a powerful effect on your learning curve.

Due to the fact that you are most likely refining your business English to advance your career or build your business, you would want to have the most efficient learning skills to reach your goals. Go over this information again and try it out! The quicker you do, the quicker you will be on your way to making a better impression with your improved business English!