Teaching Business English is a specialized niche that is lucrative and in high demand. Unlike general English, business English focuses on communication in professional settings.
In this blog post, I’ll go over Business English basics, why you should specialize in it, current trends, and how to get certified to teach Business English.
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What is Business English?
Business English is a branch of ESP (English for Specific Purposes). It focuses on professional communication skills and fluency over grammatical accuracy. You might be teaching young professionals with no business experience, groups of employees at their workplace, or even the CEO!
A key component of teaching Business English is cultural awareness. It’s your job to teach students how to communicate in professional settings as well as gestures, customs, and nonverbal communication styles in global business settings. You can teach Business English in English language schools, through in-company classes, as a freelancer, or online.
Typical Business English Class Activities
- Role plays such as participating in meetings, greeting customers, giving presentations, etc.
- Writing formal emails and reports
- Negotiating and presenting ideas
- Understanding workplace etiquette and culture
The Basics of Teaching Business English
One of the biggest myths about teaching Business English is that you need corporate experience. This isn’t true! While it may help, you don’t need a background in business. As a teacher, your role is to teach language and communication, not business tasks.
Functional Language
In Business English, the main focus is functional language, such as the use of phrases and expressions in workplace situations.
Here are some examples of functional language for Business English :
- Making requests: “Could you please send me the report by Friday?”
- Negotiating: “How about we meet halfway on the price?”
- Expressing opinions: “In my view, this approach would be more efficient.”
As the teacher, you’ll help students identify these language patterns, practice them in role plays and discussions, and apply them confidently in professional contexts.
Industry-Specific Vocabulary
Since your students are professionals, teaching industry-specific terminology can help them increase their confidence when communicating in English. For example, your students might be lawyers, medical professionals, or tech experts. Each sector comes with its own jargon.
While you aren’t expected to know everything there is to know about your students’ industries, it’s helpful to do some research by reading articles and watching videos about current industry trends. You can also use these authentic materials in your Business English classes.
Some practical activities you can utilize are role plays, case studies, and discussions. If you are teaching more general Business English, this won’t be relevant.
Cultural Awareness
Different cultural backgrounds influence the way individuals communicate in the workplace. For example, Western companies have different norms compared to Asian companies. If possible, ask your students who their clients are so you can help them understand the culture and customs they should be aware of like:
- Communication styles: verbal and non-verbal communication
- Business etiquette: formal versus informal language
- Customs: what is considered polite versus rude
Focus on Speaking and Listening
The best way to teach business English is to emphasize speaking and listening. Let students express themselves as they would when in meetings, presentations, and negotiations. Formal writing is essential for reports and emails, but verbal communication remains the top priority.
Track Your Students’ Progress
To track your students’ progress, help them set goals and create visual trackers. Implement feedback sessions and reflection on achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. Then, adjust lessons based on performance and company needs.
Tip: this professional approach builds trust and helps you retain long-term clients.
Logistics of Teaching Business English
There are several different ways to teach Business English, whether in person, abroad, or online.
Language Schools and Academies
It’s common to teach general English classes at language schools and academies in your country or abroad. Some schools may also offer private classes or connect your to in-company classes.
If abroad, you may need to secure your own working rights or visa since these schools may not be able to sponsor your visa (common in Europe). However, schools in some countries may be able to sponsor your work visa or permit.
Business English classes at language schools and academies often follow a textbook, with authentic materials sprinkled in as needed.
In-company Classes
Companies often hire business English teachers for their employees, either independently or through a language school or academy. You can also pitch your classes directly to businesses if you are a freelancer.
In-company classes will look different, depending on your clients. You may be teaching a large group of employees, small group sessions, or even working 1:1 with the CEO.
Teaching Online
You can teach Business English classes online on marketplaces like Preply or as a freelancer. On online teaching marketplaces, you can highlight your specialty, teaching Business English, in your profile and intro video to attract motivated learners.
Key Considerations When Teaching Business English
- Group classes – Students may have varying levels of English
- Learner types – What are the types of students you want to teach: lawyers, doctors, managers
- Class types – Will you teach one-on-one, small group, or large group classes?
- Workload – Lessons may be inconsistent, depending on the time of the year. For instance, you may get fewer classes at the end of the financial year
- Materials – Utilize textbooks, commercial-use ready-to-teach curriculum like ESL Brains, or authentic materials
- Abroad – If teaching abroad, understand what type of visa you need
Reasons for Teaching Business English
Now that you know the fundamentals and logistics of teaching Business English, it’s time to explore why it’s worth teaching Business English.
- Higher pay: Business English is a specialized niche, which means that teachers can charge higher rates. Many clients or companies are willing to invest in language training.
- Adult learners: If you prefer working with adults rather than kids, Business English is ideal. Students are typically college-level or older with an intermediate or advanced level of English. B1 is usually the required minimum level.
- Global relevance: The demand for learning Business English continues to rise. Many non-native speakers need strong English skills to compete globally. The industry is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.
Trends for Teaching Business English in 2025
According to professional webinars from Bridge Education Group, several key trends are shaping the future of teaching Business English in 2025 and beyond:
- English as a global lingua franca
Most communication uses English in international business, including between non-native speakers. This means that teachers should emphasize clarity, comprehension, and cultural sensitivity over perfect grammar.
- Communication over accuracy
Fluency and being understood are more important than perfect grammar. Focus on helping students get their message across clearly, even if there are errors.
- AI and informal learning
Artificial intelligence tools are transforming language learning. This touches on the changing role of teachers from being instructors to becoming facilitators and coaches. While some may fear AI replacing them, teachers can use it to enhance lessons, optimize planning time, and track progress.
- Shorter lessons & microlearning
Busy professionals and learners now prefer shorter, focused sessions. Classes that used to span 120 minutes are now shortened to 45 minutes or less. Supplement live sessions with microlearning using apps, videos, or gamified practice activities.
- Industry-specific customization
Companies want lessons tailored to their industry. That means you’ll need to conduct needs analyses regularly to identify language gaps, revise materials, and adapt content.
- Exposure to diverse accents
Global business English now includes exposure to non-native accents. Before, there was a focus on using only native accents in Business English classes.
- Continuous professional development
Teachers must stay informed about students’ industries and activities. Follow business podcasts, read industry news, and join communities to keep lessons relevant.
How to Get Certified to Teach Business English
If you want to explore teaching this ESL niche, your first step is to get TEFL certified. A 120-hour TEFL certificate is the minimum qualification for teaching English as a Second Language. Then, you can add a Business English TEFL mini course like this one from Bridge TEFL to boost your credibility when applying for jobs.
Recommended Certifications
Best TEFL/TESOL courses – Trinity CertTESOL or Cambridge CELTA (these are both especially good for teaching adults, which is crucial for Business English
I recommend this CertTESOL course from EBC, which can be completed online
Basic TEFL/TESOL courses – Looking for a more affordable and basic TEFL/TESOL course? Try The TEFL Academy or The TEFL Institute. My discount code ESL365 saves 10% and works at checkout for both brands.
Business English Mini-course- Once you’ve gotten a regular TEFL/TESOL, take this mini-course that focuses specifically on teaching Business English from Bridge TEFL. I have personally tested this course and really enjoyed it.
The next step is to create a targeted resume and/or profile. Highlight your ability to teach adults and focus on teaching communication skills. If teaching on an online teaching marketplace like Preply, look at the profiles of successful Business English teachers for inspiration (but don’t copy!) If you are freelance online teaching, consider targeting a specific niche of Business English like lawyers, presentation English, accent reduction, etc.
To gain students or clients, start networking and pitching. Contact local businesses, advertise on LinkedIn, or use freelance marketplaces. The more places you advertise, the higher your chances of recruitment. You can then track your results and use testimonials to widen your reach.
Final Thoughts
Teaching Business English is a fantastic niche for any TEFL teacher. It allows you to work with motivated adults and specialize in communication skills that make a real impact. Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @eslteacher365 for more teaching tips.
Happy teaching!
Jamie
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What qualifications do I need to teach Business English?
Answer: As a minimum, you need an accredited TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours. I also recommend taking a Business English Specialty Course like this one from Bridge TEFL.
Question: Do I need to have a background in Business to teach Business English?
Answer: No, you do not need to have experience in the business world to teach Business English. You are being hired for your English and teaching skills. However, it is important to keep up-to-date with your students’ industries and use authentic materials in your classes.
Question: Where do I get resources for teaching business English?
Answer: If you are teaching general Business English in a language school, you will often follow a Business English-specific textbook and can supplement with authentic materials. If you are freelance teaching online or in-person, you can use a commercial-use curriculum like ESL Brains. If you are teaching in-company classes, you might use a variety of these resources – textbooks, commercial-use materials, and authentic materials.
