The English used in the global workplace is a special kind of English. You must, first and foremost, get the job done... but you must get the job done using English. And so, day after day, you read English emails and business reports, to check out the competition on the web. You listen to the international news when you travel. You write English business proposals, draft contracts and emails to colleagues and partners. Most importantly, you use English-- in good times-- to socialize with other people in the global workplace-- and in tough times-- to negotiate or even battle about issues of conflict.
What exactly is "workplace English"?
Many people have heard of "business English" but not workplace English. So what's the difference? The term "business English" originated long before the emergence of the global economy. Historically it referred to to the language of commerce, and included for example import and export terminology, like "invoice" and L/C ("letter of commerce"). Sometimes people considered "business English" to be "office" or "clerical English," for example, knowing how to make telephone calls in English and knowing the English word for "photocopy."
But times have changed. Not only is every individual a member of the global economy; every organization is potentially a global enterprise. A small factory in Guizhou can easily export goods all over the world; a student graduating from a junior college in Shenzhen may very likely be required to have some English skills for his or her first job--- whether that job is in a Chinese publishing company or in a Korean electronics factory. We may not all be "doing business," but we are all working-- and in the 21st century, we are oftentimes required to do work tasks ourselves, quickly, whether it is making a phone call to Sydney, or dashing off an email to Oslo.
How does "Workplace English" differ from "English for Specific Purposes" (ESP)?
Related to the concept of "workplace English," is ESP, or English for Specific Purposes. Like other types of jargon, "ESP" means different things to different people. Many universities, business schools, vocational schools and trainers in large companies have tried to refine their instruction by designing English-language curriculum around the context of their specific field (领域）of study or work. For example, some of the English required by bankers and accountants might be a little different from the English required by pharmaceutical R&D laboratory workers. Apart from the differences in specialized vocabulary, there English for Specific Purposes may also be divided according to different job functions (e.g., sales and research). Sales people usually need to talk more; researchers need to read more. Thus workplace English encompasses the various domains of English as well as the various language functions of the workplace.
In workplace English you will also gain the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, as well as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and culture. But the framework and focus of workplace English is always centered around the context of the worker and the workplace.
In school and academic English, you may be "learning English to learn English." Or to get high marks on an English test. But once you enter the global workplace, you are expected to get the job done. Suddenly, time is more precious, and test scores seem a little less important. In the context of the workplace, English is but one of many skills that all come together as assets to help you and your organization achieve your common goals.作者: 落叶污痕 时间: 2006-3-29 19:39
