Business English

[English]

I'm a Indian living and teaching and my Business English students are all putting more pressure on me to teach them more about Conference Calls or as it is otherwise known: Teleconferencing. This is a hot topic in many Business English classes because many find that when they have to converse online and in front of their American or European partners it can be particulately intimidating. Does anyone know where I can find any information on this topic?

[harold h]

I don't think you will find specific "teleconferencing" business English. It's such a small niche and would fall under the umbrella of business English.

Telephone English would be an option however. I can't see how it would be much different to teleconference English. The only difference is that you can see each other.

Really the type of English between a video call and normal face-to-face business interaction isn't that much.

[Antonio]

There is a difference with telephone English however. You would use phrases such as:

- Connecting you now.
- Please hold the line.
- Mr Smith is currently not in his office. Can I take a message?
- Can I ask him to return your call?
- I'm afraid all lines are busy. Do you mind waiting?

The above telephone English surely wouldn't be used during video conferences.

[LadyM]

Conference calls would seem to fall in an in between category. There would be elements of regular telephone language, computer appropriate language, and business meeting language. I do know that cisco has a lot of new info on video teleconferencing, maybe you could check out their website?

[Tutor]

Hello,

You will find lots of information on Telephone English Lessons as

Teaching Telephone English for Business ESL EFL TESOL ASP TOEFL English Classes

Telephone English - Leaving Messages - How to Telephone in English for Business English ESL EFL TOEFL TESOL Students and Teachers

I do agree that telephone english and face-to-face talk are different altogether. If you are teaching Business english to offshore support centres in India which cater to European and American Clients then with Business English you also might think to developing specific accents as well.