Business English Today: The Need for Intercultural Approach

Abstract

AbstractThe paper explores the present state of teaching Business English (BE) at universities in Slovakia. BE is theoretically presented as a foreign language under the umbrella of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) which is generally based on students’ needs. BE in economic disciplines should cover the present and future needs of students. These needs are evolving due to the advances in internationalization of higher education as well as the labour market and business in Europe and in the world. The paper defines specific purposes of teaching and learning BE at Slovak universities, its aims, priorities, and specific features in order to define the criteria for skills and intercultural competences required for today’s globalized business world. Based on selected indicators in ESP, the theoretical study gives a rationale for intercultural directions in the teaching of ESP and BE. Historical insight helps to recognize the present state of BE teaching and learning and suggest the revision of future orientation of BE at universities towards a more inclusive subject integrating a broader scope of cultural competencies—English for Economic Disciplines (EED). The authors of the study explore the content, methods, and constraints of the proposed new approach to teaching ESP (BE).KeywordsEnglish for specific purposesBusiness EnglishHigher educationIntercultural competence