The webinar took place on 1 March 2021 with our Dr Jane Lockwood as the speaker. Traditional Business English books cannot reflect changes in the real world. She shared how her forthcoming book “Developing global business English in Asia” teaches localised business English in Asia.
Abstract:
For decades business English teaching materials have been ‘materials, rather than research led’ (Maggie St. John, 1980). Publishers have been cautious in changing the course book content and approaches which have traditionally relied heavily on American business and cultural norms, and assumed everything in business is done face to face. Increasingly scholars are contesting much of what is included in traditional business English books as not reflecting real life in business, not being authentic and not focusing on the changing nature of communication exchange (see for example Bhatia, 2010; Gimenez, 2014; Lockwood & Song, 2016). However, one of the biggest complaints of business English teachers at college level in Asia, is that course books are not tailored to the needs of Asian business English students where they need to use English when they graduate and work in Asia.
Developing global business English in Asia (Routledge - forthcoming) has been designed to meet the needs of teachers and students at college level across Asia wanting relevant, realistic and research-based materials.
This online seminar was jointly organised by the Department of English and Research Centre for Professional Communication in English, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
