Business English and its implications on professional communication

Business English and Implications on TESOL

Throughout the recent period, the United States of America has emerged as the greatest global power at both economic as well as political levels. Today, the largest economic construction is represented by the European Union, with a total of $14,820 billion, but the EU is a formation of numerous states. Still, at an individual level, the United States generates the highest national outputs, in the total amount of $14,660 billion (Central Intelligence Agency, 2011).

The current economic state of the U.S.A. is challenged by the financial crisis, as well as the slow but sure ascension of the Asian states. After the U.S. For instance, the following three largest economies of the globe are China (with a gross domestic product of $10 trillion), Japan, with a GDP of 4.31 trillion and India with a total national output of $4.06 trillion (Central Intelligence Agency).

In such an economic context, rumors are starting to circulate regarding the future popularity of Mandarin -- the native language in China. Daycare centers are being opened across the globe to teach Mandarin to children and such programs are even being developed within organizational climates.

Still, a scenario in which Mandarin would become the more common language of international circulation is far from materializing and English still remains the most popular language to completing international communications. In this context then, emphasis is being placed on the efforts of teaching English to foreigners, so that they can use it in their communications for various purposes, mainly business however.

2. Business English. Definition, emergence and importance

The concept of business English commonly refers to the totality of phrases and vocabulary of the English language and which are used in business communications. The field of business English is different from the general field of the English language since this is characterized by specific phrases which are essential to business operations. Some examples of phrases in business English include for instance the employee turnover rates, the gross domestic product, the financial statements (balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements), investment decisions, portfolios and so on.

The specialized literature has a rather intriguing approach of the concept of business English in the meaning that most of the sources do not offer a complete and clear definition of business English. The explanation for this situation relies in the fact that the concept is often self explicit and that it could be difficult for the researchers to create a stern and rigid definition in which to integrate the multitude of applications and importance of business English. The lines below centralize some of the more notable definitions of the concept of business English:

Business English revolves around the language which is being used for business situations

Business English refers to the language used in business contexts, with specific emphasis on the style and forms of the business correspondence

Business English represents an advantage when seeking employment

Business English is a specific variation of international English

Business English includes a variety of phrases which are used to improve the language skills of people in different business scenarios (ESL in Canada).

The multitude of definitions of the concept of business English indicate that the people perceive the concept in different manners. And these manners of perceiving the concept are often linked to personal features. For instance, to the people trying to find a job, business English could be understood as something they need to learn in order to get a job. For an individual who speaks English -- the common language -- business English could represent a specific field of the international English language. In such instances then, it appears that the final definition of the concept of business English is given by the individual perceptions of the people, as well as by the very goals when learning or interacting with business English.

The propagation of business English is the result of the complex process of globalization. It is quite uncertain when globalization commenced, but it is safe to argue that it has become stronger throughout the past recent years. Globalization is generically understood as a process by which the boundaries of the national states are lifted and the free circulation of people, merchandise, resources and other such features is supported.

It could be stated that this understanding of globalization is insufficient as it relates to the circulation of goods and people in the context of the free international market, when globalization also allows the free circulation of values and ideas. In such a context then, globalization would be understood as a phenomenon by which goods and values transcend the boundaries of a traditional country and come to impact the values in a different region across the globe.

The specialized literature approaches the concept of globalization from the two distinctive angles which have been mentioned above, namely the circulation of resources which impact world economies, and the integrated circulation of goods, resources, but also values and other intangible features. The lines below reveal some of the more relevant definitions of globalization:

"Globalization is the system of interaction among the countries of the world in order to develop the global economy. Globalization refers to the integration of economics and societies all over the world. Globalization involves technological, economic, political, and cultural exchanges made possible largely by advances in communication, transportation, and infrastructure" (Hub Pages).

Globalization represents the "process of increasing connectivity and interdependence of the world's markets and businesses" (Investor Words).

Globalization represents the "worldwide movement toward economic, financial, trade, and communications integration. Globalization implies the opening of local and nationalistic perspectives to a broader outlook of an interconnected and interdependent world with free transfer of capital, goods, and services across national frontiers" (Business Dictionary).

"Globalization is a process that encompasses the causes, course, and consequences of transnational and transcultural integration of human and non-human activities" (Al-Rodhan and Stoudmann, 2006).

Similar to the concept of business English, the phenomenon of globalization is presented with various definitions. It is as such arguable that the definitions and the means of understanding globalization differ from one source to the other, based on the values considered important by each individual researcher. Additionally, aside from this, it is also safe to argue that the definition of globalization is ever changing, as the context in which it manifests continues to change. In this order of ideas then, Dr. Nayer R.F. Al-Rodhan and Ambassador Gerard Stroudmann conclude that:

"Globalization in evolutionary; it is a fluid process that is constantly changing with the development of human society" (Al-Rodhan and Stroudmann, 2006, p. 6).

In theory, globalization is generically assumed as a process by which the various countries of the globe correlate their efforts to create an integrated international market. In practice however, the forces of globalization are mostly exerted by the more socially and economically developed Western Hemisphere. In other words, it is the countries of the West which develop more international operations that bring them more profits. Also, it is the modern values of the West which influence the traditional patriarchal cultures in the East, rather than the reverse influence. In such a context then, globalization has been assimilated with a process by which economic, political and cultural integration have been initiated by the Western states, in a wider process of Westernization.

In some extreme cases, the process of Westernization has been strictly pegged to the United States of America and the term of Americanization has even been coined; a specific application of Americanization is represented by McDonalization (Kumaravadivelu, 2008, p. 39). In either scenario, the arguments include the pressures exerted by the United States to develop its economic operations, to expand its operations to the other global regions, to promote its values and to register increased financial gains.

Against this background of intense Americanization and Westernization, coupled with the macroeconomic features which supported their propagation, the English language became more and more popular. It was initially promoted through the Hollywood films, through the television series, the MTV music and so on. And recently, it is promoted by the organizational climate in the international plants of the Western multinational corporations. Business English has gradually become an omnipresent feature and a need for the individuals in the foreign countries conducting business with the United States and other Western countries.

3. TESOL

In the context of the increasing popularity and need for business English, groups across the world focused on how to best serve this demand. Special educational centers were created to help adults learn the language and some economic agents even offered language training courses as part of their training and incentive programs. Gradually, English teaching as a second language became a popular activity, obvious at numerous levels of the society and influencing the lives of both students as well as educators.

The acronym TESOL stands for the practice of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, or to the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. TESOL generically includes the practices of teaching the English language to the people whose native language is one different from the English language. In practice, TESOL is often used as synonymous with TESL or TEFL, where the acronyms stand for Teaching English as a Second Language and Teaching English as a Foreign Language. TESOL has however become more popular than these two concepts since its focus is that of language development for the students, without the differentiation of the English language as a second language or as a language taught to people speaking foreign languages (Beare). According to some sources even, TESOL would be a combination of the two TEFL and TESL (TESOL Direct).

At a general level, TEFL integrated programs of English teaching for the people who lived in countries where English was not commonly spoken. The students of TEFL would normally need basic English language knowledge so that they could maintain communications and gather necessary information in their trips to English speaking countries. In the case of TESL, these courses were common in regions where English was commonly spoken within the country, but it was not however the mother tongue. Relevant examples in this sense include Zambia or India, where English is commonly used at the federal level and where the population would learn English in order to use it on daily basis, as a second language, annexed to their native language. The benefit of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is that it does not differentiate between second and foreign language features, but simply teaches English to all students so that they can use the language in various instances and at various levels, as required by each and every one of them.

"A TESOL qualification […] covers all aspects of English teaching and learning, and is suitable for all parts of the world. It provides a solid basis for teachers and for developing personal expertise in a diverse range of English teaching situations. TESOL encompasses both TESL and TEFL is the most widely used acronym around the world" (TESOL Direct, 2011).

Teaching English to Speaks of Other Languages has become a highly popular trend and has even captured the attention of the academic community. This has virtually materialized in an increasing number of sources dealing with the issues of TESOL. Sue Wharton and Philip Race (1999) for instance approach the issue from a practical and constructive standpoint and they offer teachers of English numerous advices on how to deal with the challenges of the profession. Among these, the following are worthy of mention:

The exploration of the learning processes

The assessment of the language needs of the students

The planning and preparation of the courses

The choice for the course book

The preparation and design of the materials

The means to dealing with mature learners

The mechanisms of imposing order and discipline within the classroom

The creation and issuing of feedback questionnaires

The usage of additional language teaching tools, such as literature, games or role playing

The evaluation of the student progress and the offering of objective feedback

The competition of the logistics considerations, such as the location of the classroom, the potential need for student transportation and so on (Wharton and Race, 1999).

Overall, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is a complex and challenging experience, but it can also be a rewarding one. It is widespread across the globe and it continues to generate demand for educators. Despite the possibility of being overthrown by Mandarin, English remains the number one means of international communication, and in some instances, even of national communications. As the forces of globalization continue to promote the political, social, cultural and other values of the West onto the East, the English language becomes an omnipresent language.

4. Implications on TESOL

As it has been mentioned throughout the previous sections of the project, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is a continually increasing practice which spreads throughout the globe. Also, it spreads to all fields of operation and it has gradually come to impact the very working climate. Specifically, with the process of market liberalization, economic agents became able to transcend boundaries and benefit from the comparative advantages of other regions. These comparative advantages include elements such as an abundance of natural resources, technologic developments, skilled or cost effective labor force.

The concept of the comparative advantages was first coined by economist David Ricardo (1772 -- 1823) and it stated that each country possessed a comparative advantage, normally an upper hand in the production of a specific good. According to Ricardo's theory, the states should produce those goods and items for which they possessed the comparative advantage and then have them exchanged within the international market for items they could only produce in more challenging conditions (Maneschi, 1998, p. 51-57).

At the turn of the twentieth century, the processes of globalization and market liberalization were flourishing and they allowed countries to transcend boundaries and directly benefit from the comparative advantages of other regions. The most pertinent example in this sense is represented by the movement of American corporations into regions that possessed the cost effective region of labor cost efficiencies. The process is generically referred to as outsourcing and it integrates a process by which an economic agent takes work out of the company and has it completed in a different region. The main reason generating outsourcing is represented by desires for profitability from the owners of multinational corporations. And the examples in this sense are countless. Leading automobile company Ford Motors for instance downsized thousands of jobs in the United States and had them outsourced to Mexico. Sports shoes and apparel manufacturer Nike has outsourced all of its operations and only completes marketing, design and management in the United States.

The morality of the outsourcing process has long been debated and has revolved around the negative impacts generated in both of the countries. In the country of origin for instance -- the United States in most cases -- people initially employed in the multinational corporations are downsized. In other words, they lose their jobs, their savings, their financial stability, with the immediate impact of a decreasing life style for the population. Ultimately, pressures are also put on the federal budgets, as unemployment increases, contributions decrease and more social assistance is required to support the population.

In the country of destination, the employees hired to conduct the outsourced operations are often asked to put in long hours and are paid minimum wages. It could as such be argued that this side of globalization only propagates poverty at both ends of the outsourcing deals, with the single gains being registered by the profits generated by the owners of the multinational corporations, in exchange for a high social cost. On a different however, it is often argued that outsourcing promotes economic integration and the convergence to the same economic goals of the nations, generating as such numerous benefits (Bragg, 2011).

Regardless of the side taken in respect to globalization and outsourcing, fact remains that the processes are real and increasing in importance and presence. In such a context then, more and more firms are being opened or contracted by the multinationals as business partners. This subsequently implies that the need for business English intensifies.

At the specific level of English teaching, this means that TESOL is no longer able to integrate and serve all the English language needs. Specifically, it was stated that TESOL is the combination of the previously popular TESL and TEFL (teaching English as a Second Language and Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Within the current context however, it appears that there is an additional need for business specialized language training. In this context then, it is implied that TESOL would have to further develop in order to provide not only basic common language teaching, but also business centric language knowledge.

5. Business English and TESOL in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for outsourcing companies. It possesses cheap and flexible staffs and it has a vast experience with outsourcing contracts.

"Thailand ranks number four worldwide for locating outsourcing activities, including IT services and support, contact centers and back-office support, following India, China and Malaysia, which have retained the top three spots since 2004" (Bangkok Post, 2009).

Thailand is currently the world's 25th largest economy of the globe, with a total gross domestic product of $586.9 billion. But despite the recent developments at the national level, the living standards of the population remain low. While Thailand is the 25th largest economy of the globe by GDP, at the level of the income per capita, it only ranks on the 117th position, with the Thai population only making $8,700 per annum. Within the United States, the population makes a gross domestic product per capita of $47,200 (Central Intelligence Agency, 2011).

Thailand has a total labor force of 38.4 million people, being the world's 16th largest labor force. The unemployment rate is one of the lowest at the global level, of only 1.1 per cent, being as such the seventh largest unemployment rate in the world. In the United States for instance, the unemployment rate is of 9.6 per cent. The table below reveals some of the more relevant social and economic data on Thailand, comparative to the United States.

Thailand

Rank in the world

The United States

Rank in the world

1. Gross domestic product

$586.9

25

$14,660 billion

2

2. Income per capita

$8,700

$47,400

11

3. GDP by composition

- Agriculture 12.4 per cent

- Industry 44.7 per cent

- Services 42.9 per cent

Not applicable

- Agriculture 1.1 per cent

- Industry 22.1 per cent

- Services 76.8 per cent

Not applicable

4. Labor force

38.64 million

16

153.9 million

4

5. Unemployment rate

1.1 per cent

7

9.6 per cent

6. Population below the poverty line

9.6 per cent

Not applicable

12 per cent

Not applicable

7. Public debt

43.1 per cent

64

62.3 per cent

32

8. Inflation rate

3.3 per cent

1.6 per cent

49

9. Current account balance (exports - imports)

$12.29

24

- $470.2 billion

10. Life expectancy at birth

73.6 years

78.37

50

11. Literacy rate

92.6 per cent

94.9 per cent for the male population

90.5 per cent for the female population

Not applicable

99 per cent

99 per cent for the male population

99 per cent for the female population

Not applicable

12. School life expectancy

12 years

12 years for the male population

13 years for the female population

Not applicable

16 years

15 years for the male population

17 years for the female population

Not applicable

13. Language

- Thai

- English (second language for the elite population)

- Ethnic and regional dialects

Not applicable

- English (82.1 per cent)

- Spanish (10.7 per cent)

- Other Indo-European languages 3.8 per cent

- Asian and Pacific islands 2.7 per cent

- Other 0.7 per cent

Not applicable

Data collected from the website of the Central Intelligence Agency, 2011

The social and economic conditions presented in the table above indicate that Thailand is a country with hardworking people, which do the job that would be done in the U.S. For far less dollars. In this setting then, it is highly explicable why it is a primary destination where to outsource projects. And not only that Thailand is nowadays a popular destination for outsourcing contracts, but it is even expected for its popularity to further increase in the future, as the full potential of the country has yet to be attained. Also, the authorities and the economic agents in Thailand have joined forces to attract more investors and more outsourcing contracts. The current scope of Thailand is that of reaching one of the top three positions on the global list of top outsourcing destinations.

The means to attaining this desiderate was that of forming an alliance focused on attracting more multinational corporations. The focal strength of Thailand -- and the means in which the country and the formed association hopes to attract more investors -- is represented by the IT sector. Here, the country possess one of the most cost effective labor forces of the globe, but which is also skilled and experienced.

"Thailand has set an ambitious target to become one of the world's top three countries for outsourcing by 2013, building a 4-billion-baht industry and forming an outsourcing association.

The kingdom's potential to capture opportunities as an attractive international IT outsourcing destination has led the driving industries to form the Thai IT Outsourcing Association, or TITO, said association chairman Steven Kalayanamit. The association is comprised of 10 pioneering international outsourcing companies" (Bangkok Post, 2009).

In this setting then, the need for business English in Thailand is continually increasing, and the need for simple TESOL is also increasing. Teachers are generally brought in from abroad and there is the preference that they be native English speakers. Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages are lured to the country by the exotic features of Thailand, and by the possibility of combining the professional experience with the cultural one. The very touristy feature of Thailand adds to the need of English speaking employees in all fields of operation.

"As Thailand attracts more international visitors, and as the country's exports grow, English has become more important to everyday Thais. In addition to the huge number of Thais working in tourism and other industries that require the use of English, there is also a large number of Thai students studying abroad, predominantly in the U.S.A. And the UK, and to a lesser extent in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. There is demand for native English speakers to teach in Thailand and as such, teaching has become a popular, perhaps even the most popular, choice of job for Westerners who wish to live in Thailand" (Stickman's Guide to Bangkok, 2011).

At a more detailed level, the teaching of English in Thailand is characterized by the following features:

The monthly salary of an English teacher is estimated somewhere between 20,000 and 40,000 Thai Baht (approximately between $668 and $1,337)

Accommodations and airfare are seldom included. Accommodations are however often easy to find and they are also inexpensive

Heath care is usually included in the salary package