Business Across Cultures: Effective Communication Strategies (English for Business Success) [Paperback]

Laura M. English (Author), Sarah Lynn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2000 | ISBN-10: 0201825325 | ISBN-13: 978-0201825329

Learner-centered and self-exploratory in its approach, this task-based oral skills text examines cross-cultural business practices and values. Its highly successful business case approach and methodology ask students to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to explain their own cultural values. Each of its units includes language-expansion exercises.

Cases (some authentic) present business situations where cross-cultural conflict interferes with the business at hand. Students then explore ways to repair these communication breakdowns.

Each case analysis includes:
-- Exercises in comprehension and problem solving, discussion/critical thinking, and written reflection
-- Worldwide business practices
-- Key business vocabulary and language exercises that introduce idioms and expressions related to the topic

Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley Longman (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201825325
• ISBN-13: 978-0201825329
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,124,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Textbook for Business Culture ESL Class, September 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Business Across Cultures: Effective Communication Strategies (English for Business Success) (Paperback)

This series of case studies is an excellent template for upper intermediate and higher ESL students interested in discussing cultural issues in a business context. I used this in Japan for a few years. The book is well suited for a jigsaw approach by initially dividing the class in 2, then pairing students for an information exchange before a round table discussion. The vocabulary is challenging at that level, and there are additional word form exercises at the end of each unit. There's lots of room for teachers and students to build on the themes with personal anecdotes, and for extensions into vocabulary and pronunciation. Students get lots of opportunity to participate, analyse, and give opinions, and use the target vocabulary - and there's always an opportunity to compare the topic cultures with the local culture. This is a great course book for an introduction to Business cultural issues for ESL students.

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent foundation for ESL students, June 11, 2008

By 

Bill Curtis "Seadragon" (Beijing, China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Business Across Cultures: Effective Communication Strategies (English for Business Success) (Paperback)

I've used this book for a number of years with managers from different countries as well as with college students in China. My only complaint is that the publisher has not updated the material. For example, there's no mention of the Internet or use of email for business communications. However, the text, cases, activities, vocabulary, etc. provide the ESL teacher with a great foundation that can easily be built on. Suitable for a wide range of English language abilities but geared toward intermediate students. This remains the most effective business-culture text I've been able to find.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars My mistake I suppose, March 4, 2002

By 

Michael Underhill (Beijing China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Business Across Cultures: Effective Communication Strategies (English for Business Success) (Paperback)

Yes, I should have read the publisher's review properly... This book is for low-medium level students of English, and offers some useful angles for learning. However, in my opinion it is of little help for people who have to DO business across cultures. If the reader is struggling with English to the extent that they would find this book relevant to their needs, then they are likely to be out of a job if using that language in the workplace.

As an ESL text it may have uses in the hands of a good teacher (because the material is superficial). If your or your students actually need to LEARN something about doing business outside your home country, look elsewhere.