Cross cultural business communication: language teaching by project work

Abstract

The article describes Cross Cultural Business Communication as a continuation of a project sponsored by ELTeCS (English Language Teaching Contacts Scheme), during which a network of teachers, students, and institutions was established with the purpose of creating a virtual learning community. The project's goals included enhancing student motivation and involvement in learning Business English in a simulated business environment, as well as raising their linguistic and intercultural awareness. It was meant to teach International Business and Economics students how to deal with cross-cultural commercial correspondence in English, by founding a pretend company and then engaging in commercial email exchanges with similar companies from different countries. The project aimed at raising awareness of the importance of cultural differences, teaching students how to establish and maintain international contacts, as well as urging them to exercise self-evaluation and accountability.