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Business English

Business English courses

English speaking professionals often gain higher-paying jobs in global companies with fluent speakers of business English earning an average of 30% more than nonspeakers! Join them and take private English lessons, online English classes or corporate English training from the comfort of your own home!

English for companies

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Choose a business English course

Top business English courses

Discover our business English courses for professionals featuring exercises and resources to help improve their language skills, enhance their communication abilities, and increase their confidence in using English in the workplace.

Business English course for Managers

Take your managerial English to the next level

Business English course for HR

Learn essential HR business English vocabulary

Business English course for Executives

Executive business English for professionals in leadership roles

Business English course for IT

Essential software developer business English for IT professionals

Business English course for Sales & Marketing

Business English resources for Sales and Marketing professionals

Business English course for Finance

Business English resources & exercises for finance professionals

English level test for companies

Test your teams' level of business English with the Preply business English level test for companies.

Get the English test

What is the purpose of a business English course?

The purpose of a business English course is to improve the English language skills of individuals who need to use English in a professional setting. This type of course focuses on developing the specific vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills that are necessary for success in the business world.

Business English conversation course

Improve your ability to converse in professional situations

Business English writing course

Increase your confidence in writing business English

Business English grammar course

Polish your grammar skills to add clarity to your writing.

Browse our online Business English classes

Speaks English (Native)

HK$196

per lesson

4.86

64 reviews

Native English-speaking, DELTA qualified tutor, 15 years of experience.- Welcome to Preply. I’m the friendly and flexible tutor you need. - I’m professional and will tailor your course to your exact needs. I'll show you how to answer those exam questions correctly. Are you in business? We’ll make a partnership. Our product? Your skills in using the correct grammar with the correct vocabulary.

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Speaks English (Native)

HK$227

per lesson

4.92

100 reviews

Certified TEFL Native American English speaker. I was born in the USA🇺🇸live in London,The UK🇬🇧. I speak fluent🇷🇺🇩🇪🇳🇴🇩🇰🇸🇪 and have traveled 47 countries✈️ .Not like your boring school teacher.What?🧐 I know I know what are you thinking about, pal. . Tired of constantly searching for your perfect and the only tutor?🧑‍🏫 Spending a hard time sleeping at night shredding your mind of choice you cannot make?🧭 What are you waiting for then? My name is Kev and I’m not here to tell you about my ...

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Speaks English (Native)

HK$117

per lesson

4.98

46 reviews

Certified 📜/ Creative and motivational tutor with 7 years of experience.Hello! My name is Nune. I am a well-organized tutor with 7 years of experience teaching English as a foreign language! My specialty is teaching English reading and writing to ESL students. I also focus on proper pronunciation, personal English goals, and correcting my students' grammar in a fun, polite, and easy way.

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Speaks English (Native)

HK$125

per lesson

5

6 reviews

Relaxed, fun and patient tutor focussed on 'Survival English'.I am a teacher who doesn't take life too seriously - I believe we should have FUN while we're here! My hobbies include painting and illustration - especially fantasy art and portraits, as well as playing video games, and listening to many kinds of music, from heavy metal to pop.

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Speaks English (Native)

HK$235

per lesson

Young and fun TEFL and TESOL certified tutor. With 5 years experience.Hello, my name is Sonri. I am from South Africa and I live in a small town. I have a recently qualified as a foundation phase teacher. I love to help young learners grow in confidence and help them to achieve great things in life. I enjoy spending time outdoors and playing hockey.

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Speaks English (Native)

HK$156

per lesson

5

9 reviews

Conversation, IELTS, Business, Grammar, Vocabulary & Slang, KidsHey there! I'm Amara, and I'm thrilled to be a part of your English learning experience. With over 12 years of online teaching, I'm here to make language learning engaging and effective for you. Beyond teaching, I'm a dedicated traveler with a knack for exploring new cultures and broadening my horizons.

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Business English video courses

Discover our business English video courses, and live classes online, covering a wide a range of topics and featuring an excellent way to learn new vocabulary, improve listening comprehension and practise speaking skills.

Business English for meetings

Business English for meetings

Business English for meetings is part 1 of English for Business Communication by Preply. In this episode, we will cover everything you need to know ahead of your next meeting.

Level

B1, B2 Intermediate

Lessons

4 episodes

Time

25 minutes

Additional

4 blog posts

Practice

4 exercises

Take the course
Job interview preparation

Job interview preparation

How to Prepare for a Job Interview in English is part 2 of Applying for a Job in English by Preply. In this episode, we cover everything you need to do ahead of your interview.

Level

B1, B2 Intermediate

Lessons

4 episodes

Time

23 minutes

Additional

4 blog posts

Practice

4 exercises

Take the course
Business English phone calls

Business English phone calls

Business English Phone Calls (+ Video) is part 3 of English for Business Communication by Preply. In this episode, we will cover everything you need to know about Business English phone calls and video too

Level

B1, B2 Intermediate

Lessons

4 episodes

Time

23 minutes

Additional

4 blog posts

Practice

4 exercises

Take the course
How to give a presentation

How to give a presentation

How to Give a Presentation in English is part 4 of English for Business Communication by Preply. In this episode, we cover everything you need to know ahead of giving a business presentation in English.

Level

B1, B2 Intermediate

Lessons

4 lessons

Time

23 minutes

Additional

4 blog posts

Practice

4 exercises

Take the course

Choose your free English grammar course

Good grammar skills is essential for effective communication in the business world. Improve your grammar with our free grammar courses speakers with varying levels of proficency.

English grammar for beginners

English grammar for beginners

This beginner English grammar course covers basic topics for A1 and A2 levels, like how to use future simple, past simple, present perfect, zero conditional, and more. It’s perfect if you want to learn the fundamentals of English grammar.

Level

A1, A2 Beginner

Lessons

4 episodes

Time

24 minutes

Additional

4 blog posts

Practice

4 exercises

Take the course
English grammar for intermediates

English grammar for intermediates

This intermediate-level English grammar course has lessons for B1 and B2 students, covering contract words, modal verbs, conditionals, narrative tenses, and many more topics. So if you want to advance your grammar skills, look no further.

Level

B1, B2 Intermediate

Lessons

2 episodes

Time

8 minutes

Additional

4 blog posts

Practice

3 exercises

Take the course

Related business English blog articles

Frequently asked questions

Business English is a form of English used in business contexts and settings, like in the office, at a work meeting, on a business call, or at a work conference or event. It also serves many business purposes, such as writing an analytical report, giving a sales presentation, crafting business emails and messages, or conversing with clients and colleagues. This type of English is most often utilized when doing business with English-speaking countries or working with global organizations where English is the lingua franca.

 

Business English is used to communicate in the corporate world as a whole and in the specialized industries within that sphere (e.g., information technology (IT), manufacturing, retail, trade, finance, and marketing). This means it’s made up of general business vocabulary and specific technical language for each field of work.

 

Other key characteristics of business English include following standard English grammar rules, communicating in a more formal and professional tone, focusing on clarity and conciseness, and avoiding the use of slang, profanity, and other overly vernacular terms.

If you work in an English-speaking country or corporation, you can undoubtedly leverage business English to thrive professionally. Even if you work in a region or organization where English isn’t the primary form of communication, it’s still the global language of business and is spoken by over 1.5 billion people worldwide. This means learning business English can offer you numerous benefits no matter where you work. Some advantages include being able to:

  • Compete for jobs in a broader network of multinational companies and English-speaking organizations
  • Interact skillfully with English-speaking employers during interviews and throughout recruitment
  • Collaborate and converse professionally with English-speaking managers, coworkers, business associates, and customers
  • Efficiently execute any job task (e.g., negotiating, reporting, presenting) that requires English proficiency
  • Increase job security and serve as an asset in existing roles based on your linguistic abilities
  • Keep up with current business trends by reading international publications and networking with professionals from around the world
  • Successfully solicit a promotion, pay increase, or other benefit in an English-dominant work environment

The overarching purpose of business English classes is to teach learners how to communicate effectively in the corporate world. Therefore, these courses cover some combination of the following topics, depending on the focus:

 

  • Vocabulary - Using terms that serve general business purposes (e.g., workflow, upskill, streamline) and words that help you operate in specialized industries, like accounting, sales, or advertising
  • Grammar - Utilizing standard English grammar rules (e.g., consistent verb tense, capitalization) that enable you to sound professional in both written and oral forms 
  • Pronunciation - Clearly articulating yourself and pronouncing business English terms/phrases in a standardized way in order to be easily understood
  • Reading - Comprehending and analyzing a variety of business English texts, such as reports, news feeds, and case studies
  • Writing - Concisely crafting a range of business content—from proposals to reports to emails to memos
  • Listening - Comprehending spoken business English in various professional interactions (e.g., meetings, phone calls, office talk)
  • Speaking - Verbally expressing yourself in business English in multiple work contexts (e.g., setting meeting agendas, providing feedback, networking, negotiating, presentations)

If you’re looking for the best way to learn business English, check out the following tips and tricks that can help you take your proficiency to the next level:

 

How to learn business English quickly

 

  1. Immerse yourself in business English materials (e.g., websites, podcasts, news shows)
  2. Set specific goals for yourself (e.g., learn 5 words a day, master your elevator pitch)
  3. Choose a study schedule and stick to it (e.g., 6:00-6:30 pm from Monday to Friday)
  4. Practice with others (e.g., language exchange with a native speaker or coworkers)
  5. Take notes in a journal or online document (e.g., terms you hear at work, business phrases you read)
  6. Focus your studies on your specific interests (e.g., design, retail, banking)
  7. Use technology tools to supplement your learning (e.g., YouTube, ProWritingAid)
  8. Learn word “families” of new vocabulary (e.g., recommend (verb), recommendation (noun), recommendable (adjective))
  9. Review grammar notes, vocabulary, or other materials you’re studying right before bed to increase memory and recall
  10. Enroll in personalized business English classes or corporate English training with an expert tutor (e.g., Preply)

 

How to learn business English speaking

 

  1. Speak aloud when learning business English grammar and vocabulary (e.g., describe your work environment, explain your job)
  2. Mimic the business English you hear (e.g., repeat phrases heard in the workplace or from videos or audio clips)
  3. Find speaking partner (e.g., colleagues, friends, family) for learning business English conversation skills 
  4. Read business English resources out loud (e.g., books, magazines, articles)
  5. Record yourself speaking and note areas that need improvement
  6. Role play relevant business situations with a partner or in front of the mirror alone (e.g., interviews, meetings, sales pitches)
  7. Practice saying complete phrases instead of single words (e.g., “Can you expedite the shipment?” v. “expedite”)
  8. Prioritize getting your message across versus not making a mistake
  9. Use pronunciation guides (e.g., Google, online dictionaries) to listen to, repeat, and perfect your accent
  10. Register for business English conversation classes to refine your speaking with a skilled tutor (e.g., Preply)

 

How to learn business English vocabulary

 

  1. Read through business English publications and write down unfamiliar words/phrases
  2. Listen to authentic business English conversations (e.g., work, film, podcast) and record new terms/phrases
  3. Join business groups on social media (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter) to learn useful words/phrases from others’ posts
  4. Sign up for individualized business English classes or corporate English training to expand your vocabulary with an adept tutor (e.g., Preply)
  5. Craft sentences using new terms in a variety of contexts (e.g., conversing with a coworker, manager, and customer)
  6. Draw pictures or symbols representative of new terms to visually remember their meaning
  7. Use established apps to learn the most common business English words/phrases 
  8. Take a ready-made online course dedicated to business English vocabulary 
  9. Learn the parts of speech of new terms to easily acquire additional vocabulary [e.g., align (verb), alignment (noun)]
  10. Create flashcards of new vocabulary on customizable apps

 

How to learn business English writing

 

  1. Request past presentations and reports from senior leaders at your organization (or elsewhere) to learn from
  2. Explore websites that offer business writing resources (e.g., Purdue Online Writing Lab)
  3. Read and take notes on the key characteristics of exceptional business writing (e.g., The Wall Street Journal)
  4. Take personalized business English classes or corporate English training to improve your writing with an experienced tutor (e.g., Preply)
  5. Take mass-produced online courses focused on business English writing (e.g., LinkedIn)
  6. Purchase a style and grammar guide to reference while writing 
  7. Learn about what is required to successfully craft different types of business writing (e.g., emails, reports, memos, newsletters, agendas)
  8. Use technology tools (e.g., Grammarly) that give you immediate feedback as your write
  9. Ask for feedback on your writing from friends, family, colleagues, or supervisors who are skilled communicators
  10. Build time into your schedule to practice business English writing every day

Thousands of online resources enable you to learn business English for free: podcasts, instructional videos, practice exercises, and audio lessons. Fortunately, if you plan to learn business English online, you can also access free online courses provided by learning institutes worldwide. Below you’ll find some of the top free business English lessons and courses offered on the web:

 

 

  • General business English

 

      • English for business communication - Preply
      • Business English: Basics - Coursera
      • Business English course - Udemy
      • Upper-intermediate English: Business and industry - edX
      • English for business and entrepreneurship - Alison
      • English for career development - Alison
      • Effective business communication - Alison

 

  • Business English vocabulary & grammar

 

      • English grammar and vocabulary: Discussing work - Alison
      • Business English - Memrise
      • Upper intermediate business English - Memrise

 

  • Business English writing

 

      • Write professional emails in English - Coursera
      • English for effective business writing - Coursera
      • Writing winning resumes and cover letters - Coursera

 

  • Business English speaking

 

      • Speak English professionally - Coursera
      • English for effective business speaking - Coursera

 

  • Other business English skills

 

    • Applying for a job in English - Preply
    • Business English: Planning & negotiating - Coursera
    • Business English: Networking - Coursera
    • Business English: Meetings - Coursera
    • Business English: Management and leadership - Coursera
    • Business English: Making presentations - Coursera
    • Business English for cross-cultural communication - Coursera

Both academic English and business English fall under a subset of English called English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Therefore, the main difference between the two lies in their purpose and places of use. Explore their specific differences and similarities in the table below:

 

Business English

Academic English

Who is it for?

Those wanting to work with English-speaking companies or organizations

Those wanting to study or work at English-speaking universities or academic institutes

Where is it used?

Corporate contexts (e.g., interviews, meetings, conferences)

Educational settings (e.g., classrooms, research symposiums, seminars)

What is it for?

Business purposes (e.g., negotiating, presenting, reporting)

Academic purposes (e.g., writing a paper, reading a textbook, debating)

What are its key features?

  • Specialized vocabulary for specific fields (e.g., trade, law, finance)
  • Standard English grammar
  • Professional tone (polite & practical)
  • Clear and concise
  • Avoids use of slang
  • Citation style: Chicago
  • Specialized vocabulary for specific subjects (e.g., history, literature, science)
  • Standard English grammar
  • Formal tone (objective & detached)
  • Clear and detailed
  • Avoids use of slang
  • Citation style: MLA, APA, Chicago

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