Demand for Qualified Business English Teachers Far Outweighs Supply

As the English language continues to assert itself as the predominant mode of communication in the global business world it's no wonder that demand for qualified business English teachers is reaching new heights.

Yet the number of teachers that are actually qualified to teach business English is extremely low. In the absence of specially trained teachers, regular TEFL tutors with little knowledge of the business world try their hand at teaching high-powered professionals with little success.

Even in countries with strict guidelines presiding over the TEFL industry it is rare to find any legislation that covers business English specifically. In Europe quality language schools demand that business English teachers have either a professional qualification in the field or previous experience working in business. The competitive nature of the market here makes it almost impossible to find a position as a business English teacher if you do not meet these requirements but the market is thriving and, for those qualified to work within it, extremely lucrative.

Europe is one of the only places in the world where the specialist skills of the business English teacher are duly recognised. Here they are paid significantly more than general language teachers, so it's not surprising that those teachers who are qualified to teach business English are often drawn to Europe. Unfortunately, so few TEFL teachers have been trained in the field that other areas of the world, especially Asia where the business English market is huge, are suffering.

Demand for business English skills in Asia is steadily increasing, especially in economic hotspots like Japan, China and Thailand. Businesses are beginning to realise that in order to succeed in the global market they must be able to communicate effectively and that means that language skills are a high priority. Many international companies are now investing in employee development schemes that help staff to tailor their use of the English language towards their role in the business. This has proved to be surprisingly ineffective and it's easy to see why.

The problem which companies face is a lack of qualified business English teachers. While there is an abundance of TEFL teacher available to them, there are very few with experience of the business world or any formal qualifications related to teaching business English. That means that the quality of teaching which they are able to provide is poor and in many cases the teacher knows little more about the subject than the student himself.

For the TEFL teacher this causes few problems. Certainly the lessons will be less fun and you will have less confidence in your ability to teach the subject. Your time teaching is likely to be less rewarding because the quality of your lessons and the benefit to your students will be lower but the fact is that you won't have any trouble finding a job without a business English qualification. This is undoubtedly the wrong approach to take to teaching English abroad but it is undeniably true.

It does, however, offer certain benefits to the ambitious tutor, who has the opportunity to take advantage of the deficiencies of the market. Those TEFL teachers with a business English qualification will find it much easier to secure a job in the area and there is significant potential for career advancement to be found here. Businesses are unwilling to lose teachers who have proved their worth and this can lead to significant increases in pay and benefits.

With such high demand for business English teachers and so few TEFL teachers actually qualified to teach the subject, there is a real opportunity for qualified business English teachers to shine. For those travelling to Europe a business English qualification will open doors to a lucrative branch of the TEFL industry and will give you an edge over the competition in the more popular TEFL markets. For those travelling to Asia choices are a little more complex. Certainly you can find business English work without a formal qualification in the subject but you need to consider whether this is the right thing to do for both your students and your career.

Click here to take a look at our Specialist Certificate in Business English.