Case study as an interactive method of teaching business English

Abstract

Business English teaching focuses on developing both the language and the style of typical business skills, which are primarily for dealing with customers, clients and colleagues. The students may well have these skills in their own language, but Business English teaching emphasizes the difference in style required for running business in English. The focus is then on courteous language that attracts, establishes and sustains good business. The present paper deals with the issue of implementing the interactive methods, approaches and activities in the teaching of Business English to the non-native undergraduates who have no experience of the business world. The interactive practice such as “case study” that will be discussed in this paper is the results of our observation and experience of teaching Business English to students who are studying in business areas such as Business Administration, Marketing, Accountancy and Finance at the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova. Generally, these pre-experienced students gain their knowledge of business largely in the classroom and from the books, and as a result, such knowledge is incomplete and theoretical rather than practical. They are also less aware of their language needs in terms of communicating in real life business situations. Therefore, “case studies” help them bridge the gap between theory and practice and between the academy and the workplace. Sample activities will be provided to show the practicality of the implementation of interactive methods and approaches. JEL: A22, A 23.