Do you need English in your job or are you planning on an international career? If your business plans include English as a second language then you are likely to come across phrases, idioms, and expressions that are unfamiliar and potentially confusing. Business Vocabulary in Use is designed for people with a good level of English – intermediate and upper-intermediate students – who want to improve their fluency in the language of business.
The book is split into 66 units which are each divided across two pages. On the left-hand page is an explanation of new words and expressions relating to the topic in question, and on the right-hand side of the page is a series of activities and exercises to check your understanding and cement the ideas in your mind.
The layout of the book, in these 66 sections, is simple, clean and clear. The left-hand side of the page with its explanation of vocabulary and expressions is divided into sections and includes useful hints and tips on what to look for and what to avoid. A handy addition is the section differentiating American and British English, which is useful if you are going to be working in a non-US firm.
The first two-thirds of the book concentrate on thematic units focusing on business areas such as economics, finance, marketing, and people and organizations. The final third part of the book is related to the language you need for developing skills in business – for example, speaking on the telephone and holding meetings. The sections dealing with presentations are particularly useful as presentations tend to strike fear into the hearts of even the most confident English speakers. There are also sections discussing business culture and how to manage stress in the workplace.
"The sections dealing with presentations are particularly useful as presentations tend to strike fear into the hearts of even the most confident English speakers."
The language and concepts discussed in the book are at a fairly high level so you should have a good level of English to begin working with the book. The explanations of verb formations relating to workplace vocabulary are often complicated so spend some time looking at these and practicing their use with the exercises that follow the explanation.
Business Vocabulary in Use is for individuals browsing the pages at their own pace, teachers in a classroom situation, and one-to-one classes. You can easily use the book to learn about different business topics as they occur in your workplace and there are cross-reference links to point you to related and helpful alternative contexts. Individuals without a teacher will find the answers to exercises at the back of the book, but be aware that some of the activities require writing and discussion and it will be useful in these cases to run your answers by a teacher or native speaker. These sections make a good base for a lesson – use the questions and ideas to spark discussion or to set homework assignments as a written activity.
The book is helpful because it not only assists in developing a good stock of business vocabulary but it helps improve the language you need to communicate successfully in business situations. By completing the activities and exercises you are more likely to remember key rules and ideas, and also more likely to trust your knowledge so you can speak more confidently and write emails, memos and notes fluently. Business Vocabulary in Use is a handy tool to help increase your confidence and also give you in-depth knowledge of the business cultures of US and other English-speaking markets.
