Teaching and Learning Business English: Challenges and Development Potential

Abstract

Abstract A polyphonic context of the University education has received increasing attention in recent years. Putting emphasis on Business English (BE) as a core element of the teaching / learning process features its greater role for future professionals. Being a provider of the current trends under globalization, BE targets at changes of unique selling propositions of the former undergraduates and at the same time manifest their growing capacity for the current labour market. In this social and economic context the spread of English has been reinforced by increased mobility associated with the development of the international higher education area. Using empirical methods to examine a range of assorted research phenomena, longitudinal analysis, social network analysis, and content analysis made possible to identify major working means in excelling the quality of the acquired skills and competences in BE. The results show that reflective writing can help develop analytical and critical thinking skills as well as personal and professional growth. Language skills are indispensable tools for completing common civic engagement tasks. Teachers embrace their multiple roles during the process of facilitating the socially situated practices of foreign language digital literacy. In addition, the selection of a methodology appropriate to the attainment of communicative competence requires an understanding of socio-cultural differences in styles of learning.