Interculturality and Business English: Empowering Learners in Globalized Contexts of Communication

This paper offers a critical exploration of the enterprise of teaching and learning business English (English for business and the workplace) with specific reference to processes related to globalization. The discussion investigates the international contexts of business English textbooks commercially available worldwide and how they position themselves to target the perceived needs of students of business English. As a modus operandi, this paper proposes a coherent definition and conceptual framework of interculturality which is regarded as essential in order to underpin any discussion of, and approach to, teaching and learning business English in international contexts. The key intercultural skills related to this industry can be isolated as: relating and responding appropriately, and developing awareness, respect, and negotiation. These are broad skills that reflect and express a greater awareness of the inseparability of language and culture and delineate the need to prepare language learners adequately for intercultural capability (Bolten, 2017) in an increasingly multicultural world. This paper also draws upon data obtained from a questionnaire distributed to students on practical business English courses taught by the author. The results of the survey reveal that practical communication skills and a specific, specialized knowledge base in English are viewed as essential components of their Business English classes. The paper concludes by underscoring the need to empower learners with relevant skills to meet the challenges of evolving, dynamic, globalized contexts of business