English for Business Life Elementary

Introduction
This Self-study guide is part of the English for Business
Life business English course. It follows the English for
Business Life syllabus and language programme. Each
level of the English for Business Life course has a
Self-study guide - this is the elementary level.
This Self-study guide can be used:
• as a stand alone self-study course
• in class to supplement English for Business Life
course work
• for homework
• as a key component of the 'comprehensive' study
track (the English for Business Life course has three
study tracks: fast, standard and comprehensive)
• as practice material for learners who are following
general English courses and need practice in
everyday business English.
Each unit begins with a recorded summary of useful
phrases and includes:
• clear study notes
• realistic practice exercises.
At the back of the Guide are:
• an easy-to-follow language Reference Section
• a Glossary of key business-related terms
• clear answers and audio text to support the practice
exercises.
The recorded material is available on a CD which is
included with the book. The recordings include
standard accents and examples of people from different
parts of the world speaking English. The common
contracted forms used in real business communication
(I'm, isn't, won't, etc.) are demonstrated in the
exercises. For details of the main contractions in this
Guide, see the note on page 96.
Recommended study procedure
• Listen to the Useful Phrases as often as possible and
repeat where appropriate.
• Work through the Study Notes and refer to the
Reference Section as indicated.
• Note down words and phrases that are particularly
useful to you.
• Use a good dictionary to check the meanings of
unfamiliar words.
• Work through the exercises and then check the
answers at the back of the book.
Some study tips
• Approach language learning with the same level of
commitment that you would any other project in
your work. It can be useful to prepare a 'contract'
with yourself in which you agree to do a certain
am ount of work on your English per day/week/
month.
• In our view, 'little and often' is more effective than
occasional long study sessions. W hen you travel,
take your Self-study guide with you. You can work
with it at times that suit you - for example, when
you are in your car, at home or on a plane. Journeys
can provide a great opportunity for uninterrupted
practice.
• Use new language and phrases whenever possible.
Live practice is the best way to learn new terms.
• Keep a paper/electronic study file in which you note
down the language most relevant to your everyday
needs.
• Relate the language presented and practised to your
particular area of business. If there are terms you
need which are not included in the material, do
some research on the Internet, and consult Englishspeaking
colleagues, friends and teachers.
• Make use of the English-speaking media - in
particular, facilities on the Internet. Listen to the
radio and TV. Read professional journals and
newspapers. Subscribe to an English magazine
which interests you from a work or leisure point of
view'.
4 Introduction