Do you need a Business English course or coach?

In this post, you'll learn the difference between taking a Business English course and working with a coach. You'll also learn which one might be best for you. Let's dig in.

What's the difference between taking a course and working with a coach?

You've probably heard a lot of people talking about coaching these days. But what is coaching exactly? And more importantly, is it what you need?

In Business English, coaching is developing Business English skills through questions and practice.

In comparison, in a Business English course, you have a teacher or trainer who most likely works with a book.  Chances are, they won't adjust the content to your individual needs. 

A course consists of classical teaching in a classroom environment and is not on eye level between teacher/trainer and learner.

When taking a Business English course makes sense

Not everyone needs to work with an English coach. Here are some situations in which a Business English Course would be best for you:

• You are in a role or industry where you don't immediately need English.
• You work in an industry where you may need to improve your Business English at some point--so English is a 'nice to have.'
• You don't need English for a specific business-related skill or situation. 
• You are interested in improving your Business English skills in general, over a long period of time.
• You are interested in maintaining your English level while you are in a position where you don't use English very often.
• If you're not sure what you should review, you would prefer to have a fixed curriculum and schedule to follow, the kind of structure you can find in a Business English course.

In case you like a fixed schedule with content that you need to learn, and someone who provides you with fixed exercises and material then a Business English course might be just right for you. 

A course or set program could also be ideal if you like a more teacher-centered approach and don't mind learning content that you might not necessarily need in your daily work and don't have specific, professional goals you need to meet quickly. 

Because a Business English course is not as flexible as coaching and sometimes learners don't like autonomy or flexibility and need someone who tells them what to do and when to do it.

When to work with a Business English coach.

What if you need help with specific business situations that revolve around your role?

For example, if you are the project manager in an international automotive company, you won't have the same needs as if you need to negotiate a defence contract. 

If you take a general Business English class, your specific situation or problem might never come up. And as English becomes more important in many different sectors, you may find yourself suddenly doing business in English.

And what if you're in a management role or higher-level position where you don't have the luxury of time to take years of predetermined courses? You need to improve in a specific career skill quickly in Engish--not build English grammar and general communication skills over a few years time.

  When you need specific, quick results, coaching can help you make progress faster.

How do you know if Business English Coaching is right for you? Coaching works best for high-value team members who are autonomous, open to feedback, and committed to improving. In a situation like that, it can be a game-changer.

What is Business English Coaching exactly? 

Read on and learn the 3 critical criteria for a successful coaching process. That way, you can decide if coaching can help you reach your Business English goals or if you want to stick with a Business English course.

1. Coaching starts with questions

The coaching process consists of questions the coach asks you (the

coachee).

These questions will give you new ideas for your specific struggles.

They aim to find an answer to a 'problem' you might have.

My clients often come in and want to become more confident in Business English. This is a general concern, so I guide them further and ask them when they need to speak English and, therefore, be more confident.

That way, we can find specific situations, like showing a customer the company, conducting a video call, or negotiating with suppliers. 

Once you identify your precise problem, your coach will help you put a strategy in place. 

They will not just give you a list of grammar exercises or tell you to do the next page in the workbook. 

They will spell out what a good strategy will look like. Practice a conversation with your coach, then come up with 2-3 ways to practice alone so you are ready and confident to use in daily business.

2. Take ownership of your English

Are you prepared to work alone, outside of sessions with your coach, to improve your business English? Ask yourself this question when deciding whether or not to choose coaching as a solution to your communication challenges.

It is vital to invest some time in the work on your coaching goal when you are on your own. Your coach provides you with a strategic and highly personalized strategy and exercises meant to help you make real progress in your English. But it won't work unless you actually take advantage of your time beyond your coaching session.  

In comparison to a Business English course, this strategy is tailored to your possible workload outside the coaching and in snackable bits--especially important if you have a high-responsibility role

You'll need to develop a particular discipline to use the tools you get

you have discussed and role-played, for example, how to show a visitor your company in your coaching session.  Your particular practice strategy might be to write a 5-minute script for your next appointment with your coach using what you just practised.

At your next coaching session, if you've made a point of practising, you'll see where you've improved, and you can fine-tune your skills further with your coach.

3. Considering coaching? First, decide if you're ready for autonomy.

Have you ever heard of learner autonomy?

It is a significant advantage to coaching because you take over the responsibility for your coaching process.

Since you are an adult learner and want to enhance your job-related communication skills, you should be in charge of the learning process. 

It is a big advantage for you because you are not going around in circles but can discuss with your coach what works or doesn't work for you. You'll be working as an equal with your coach, so it is a completely different situation thanwhat you are used to in school.

It may be new initially, but you will get used to it quickly. Besides, you know exactly what language you need for your work, how much time you have to practice at home, and what goals you want to reach.

Learner autonomy means that you can make decisions together with your coach. Whenever there is something that doesn't work for you or is not essential for your career, you should discuss it.

You and your coach are equal partners who work towards your success in your Business English Skills.

Takeaways 

Are you still wondering if you're the kind of person who could benefit from coaching or if a Business English course is your best option at this time?

In my experience:

When you would like to strengthen your business English as an equal with your coach rather than in a traditional learner/ teacher setting of a business English course,

When you would like to try a new approach that is efficient and works with you as a resource who "provides" the content of the learning process,

When you enjoy doing some work outside the coaching and doing some extra exercises or activities like watching a movie in English or listening to radio programmes, etc.,

And when you like to be an independent learner who takes over responsibility for your learning process,

Then Business English Coaching is the right approach for you.  

Does that sound like you? If you're wondering what to look for in a Business English coach, take a look at this post.

That said, here are some times when you're better off with a solid Business English course.

Maybe you're still not sure? Get in touch. I know just the kinds of questions to ask you to help you decide. 

👉What is your experience with English courses and coaching? 

Let me know in the comments below.