This book presents a critique of current English as a Business Lingua Franca (BELF) practices using research conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The authors identify English communication behaviors that hinder or promote success in the workplace, and trace these back to curricula and teaching practices. The authors suggest which skills employers need and expect from employees, and question whether English courses concerned with general academic English skills and business vocabulary are sufficient training for linguistically-complex workplaces. The book also examines whether the focus on achieving native-like proficiency with high grammatical standards and a strong emphasis on form are adequately preparing students who aspire to use English in professional contexts as a means to 'get their job done'.
Elma Dedovic-Atilla is an Assistant Professor in the English Language and Literature Department and Head of the Department for Digital Communications and Public Relations, International Burch University, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her research interests include English communication skills, English as a business lingua franca (BELF), the EFL/ELF dichotomy and English in use.
Vildana Dubravac is an Associate Professor in the English Language and Literature Department, International Burch University and University of Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her research interests include second/foreign language acquisition, English linguistics, and the historical and contemporary status of English.
Title: Reconceptualizing English for International Business Contexts: A BELF Approach and its Educational Implications: 7 (Language at Work)
Author: Dubravac, Vildana,Dedovic-Atilla, Elma
ISBN: 9781800415997
Binding:
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
Publication Date: 2022-08-05
Number of Pages: 224
Weight: 0.4900 kg
This book provides a detailed overview of the state of BELF use and training needs in a range of corporate settings in Bosnia, where international business faces complex political and economic challenges. Focus on the little-researched Global South is of particular interest in extending the range of BELF research. * Patricia Pullin, Freelance Trainer and Writer, Switzerland *
Endorsing the BELF approach in the analysis of business communication in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this book provides direct insight into the current role of English worldwide and its presence in international business communication in the Southern European context. It will serve as a valuable resource for business practitioners, educators and researchers. * Amna Brdarevic-Celjo, International Burch University, Bosnia and Herzegovina *
