Become a business English teacher
What paths can people take to start teaching English in business contexts?
There are many options.
I have summarised them into three.
Case 1: I have no teaching or business experience
If you are new to education and to the corporate world, your strategy could be to build on both. In other words, get a teaching qualification and develop business literacy.
A TEFL course would be the first step. Look for programmes that offer specialisation modules in business. Follow that with any type of teaching job to get experience. You can slowly move into corporate tutoring afterwards.
Lastly, develop your vocabulary and stay up to date with trends by reading major publications like the Financial Times, Forbes or The Economist. If possible, mingle with professionals to get used to their jargon.
Who’s your market? To start, target people who are new to business English. You’ll both be learning together, so there will be much to share and mistakes will be forgiven.
Your advantage: As a newbie, you can bring enthusiasm and a fresh approach to your lessons.
Case 2: I only have teaching experience
Pedagogical expertise is your advantage. Your task now will be to focus on corporate skills, such as negotiations, professional writing or presentations.
You can start by achieving specialist accreditation. The Trinity College London Certificate in Business English Teaching could be an option.
Alternatively, you can skip the degree and dive straight into any industry by reading specialised publications.
Networking with professionals and Business English books can support this approach. It could help you create specialised training courses and replace your current material with corporate examples.
Your market: you’re an established teacher so you can handle most students. Any business learner (except those with very particular needs such as “Canadian accountancy English”) could be your target.
Your advantage: you’ll be able to cater to any client, from young learners to that CEO sitting at the corner office.
Case 3: I only have business experience
People with business backgrounds possess an edge: corporate knowledge.
Start by learning how to transfer your knowhow to a classroom by enrolling in a TEFL programme.
Follow that with any teaching job to practise what you’ve learnt. You can jump into in-company training right after.
Your market: use your previous title to sell yourself as an expert in English for executives. Emphasize the authenticity of your lessons.
Your advantage: you speak the jargon; you’ve been in the rat race—and now you know how to teach!
Read Andrew’s books on business English teaching at www.andymiles.com