General English vs. Business English

Posted by english today on November 13th, 2020

When deciding which English course is most suitable for us and which will meet our needs the best, it is important that we understand the difference between the courses. Two English courses that we at English Today provide are General English and Business English. This article aims to explain the differences in these two courses to help our participants make a fully informed decision about what to expect and what the benefits of each course are. 

1. Purpose
   
   

Probably the most important and significant difference is the purpose of the course. A general English course has a far broader appeal as the language and topics are relevant to everyday life situations. A general English course has a lot more variety as the materials can come from a wide range of sources and the topics are chosen to enhance English in all areas. A general English course will develop your confidence and understanding of English in all areas and would be of great benefit to anyone with a desire to improve their English. Business English however has a far more specific purpose and is designed with professionals in mind. For this reason the skills practiced are not general skills that members of the public would need rather they focus on skills that are only really needed in the corporate world. Skills such as report writing or giving presentations are used on a Business English course to develop a formal and professional style of English that is required when meeting international customers and clients. The language covered will also be different as there may be specific vocabulary and terminology related to your area of business; language which would not be covered on a general English course.

2. Level
   
   

Understanding your level is an essential part of the process if you want your English course to be successful. By understanding your level at the start of the course the teacher is able to deliver a course that will be most beneficial for you. Your teacher will choose materials for your level so that lessons are both challenging and productive. Ideally the course should not be too easy or too difficult for you to understand. It is generally understood that you may have stronger receptive skills such as reading and listening, than your productive skills like speaking and writing. The course will aim to develop your weakest skills and to build your confidence in the areas you most need. Accurate levelling is also necessary to measure and assess your progress throughout an English language online course. While a general English course can easily be adjusted to any level and suitable for all participants, a business English course requires a strong foundation in English and some experience of working in a professional corporate setting. 

3. Lessons
   
   

The style and delivery of the lessons will vary depending on the course that you chose. Both courses require students to take an active role in the classes and we aim to maximise student participation at every opportunity. Participants are regularly encouraged to work together in pairs or in groups to develop peer learning and support each other. It is true that all classes should be lively and enjoyable however it should be expected that a Business English course will have a more formal and professional tone. General English courses will be more likely to include games, songs and mingling activities whereas a Business English course may require you to prepare a presentation or use role plays designed to practice negotiation or meeting skills. Both of these courses are flexible depending on the needs and personalities of the participants and the aim is always to deliver a course which enables students to make the most progress and hopefully enjoy the classes at the same time.

It is important to consider carefully what kind of course is best suited to your needs. These three areas may be good starting points for you to think about however the best strategy to make a decision would be to take a placement test and have a consultation with a member of our team. The most important considerations are what you want to achieve and what do you need English for?  It is advisable to have a clear goal when starting a course and it is our aim to help all of our participants achieve them.