Divided by a common Language - Business English

This is the VOA Special English Economics Report. Business is the most popular subject [blank_start]for[blank_end] international students [blank_start]in[blank_end] the United States. [blank_start]At[blank_end] last count, twenty-one percent [blank_start]of[blank_end] foreign students [blank_start]at[blank_end] American colleges and universities were studying business and management. The Institute [blank_start]of[blank_end] International Education [blank_start]in[blank_end] New York says engineering is the second most popular field, [blank_start]in[blank_end] case you were wondering. Thomas Cossé is a professor of marketing and business [blank_start]at[blank_end] the University of Richmond in Virginia. He says international students who want [blank_start]to[blank_end] study business need to have good English skills -- and not just to study [blank_start]at[blank_end] his school. THOMAS COSSÉ: "[blank_start]At[blank_end] least among business schools, more and more worldwide are requiring that their students [blank_start]take[blank_end] English, and they are teaching more [blank_start]in[blank_end] English." But the world has [blank_start]more[blank_end] non-native speakers of English [blank_start]than[blank_end] native speakers. [blank_start]As[blank_end] a result, Americans working [blank_start]with[blank_end] foreign companies may need to learn some new English skills themselves. [blank_start]At[blank_end] the University of Richmond, teams [blank_start]of[blank_end] graduate students work [blank_start]with[blank_end] companies seeking [blank_start]to[blank_end] enter the American market. The students learn [blank_start]about[blank_end] writing market entry studies. The reports are written [blank_start]in[blank_end] English. But Professor Cossé tells his students [blank_start]to[blank_end] consider who will read them. THOMAS COSSÉ: "My students have to write the report [blank_start]in[blank_end] such a way that it can be understood [blank_start]by[blank_end] someone who is an English speaker but not a native English speaker." Special English is part of VOA Learning English: voanews.com/learningenglish| December 2011 | 2 For example, he tells his students [blank_start]to[blank_end] avoid jargon and other specialized terms [blank_start]that[blank_end] people might not know [blank_start]in[blank_end] their own language. This can be good advice [blank_start]even[blank_end] when writing [blank_start]for[blank_end] other native speakers. But effective communication involves more [blank_start]than[blank_end] just words. Kay Westerfield is director [blank_start]of[blank_end] the international business communication program [blank_start]at[blank_end] the University of Oregon. KAY WESTERFIELD: "If you just [blank_start]have[blank_end] the language awareness or the skills [blank_start]without[blank_end] culture, you can easily [blank_start]be[blank_end] a fluent fool." Cultural intelligence means the need [blank_start]to[blank_end] consider local behaviors [blank_start]in[blank_end] everything [blank_start]from[blank_end] simple handshakes to speaking [blank_start]to[blank_end] large groups. Still, Kay Westerfield says the ability of local workers [blank_start]to[blank_end] speak English is becoming more important [blank_start]to[blank_end] companies looking [blank_start]to[blank_end] move operations to other countries. Or, as she puts [blank_start]it[blank_end], to "off-source." KAY WESTERFIELD: "While cost remains a major factor [blank_start]in[blank_end] decisions [blank_start]about[blank_end] where to off-source, the quality [blank_start]of[blank_end] the labor pool is gaining importance, and this includes English language skills." Also, she says English skills [blank_start]often[blank_end] provide a competitive edge [blank_start]for[blank_end] business students when they seek jobs. KAY WESTERFIELD: "[blank_start]As[blank_end] one business student in West Africa put [blank_start]it[blank_end], 'English is a lifeline.'" And that's the VOA Special English Economics Report, written by Mario Ritter. You can read and listen to our programs and find activities for English learners at voaspecialenglish.com. We're also on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube at VOA Learning English. I’m June Simms.