New Cambridge Business English (Intermediate) Study Guide

Author: Liu Minjuan Chen Yong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: In the 21st century, Cambridge University Press has launched a new edition of the New Cambridge Business English series. The series consists of three main textbooks: Further Ahead for beginners, equivalent to the BEC Preliminary level; Working in English for intermediate learners, equivalent to BEC Vantage; and English for Business Studies for advanced learners, aligned with BEC Higher. Additionally, there is a distinctive Business Vocabulary in Use as a business English vocabulary textbook. Each of the three main textbooks is accompanied by CDs, videos, and audio cassettes. While the unit themes may overlap, the language level progressively advances. This series can serve as a preparation guide for the BEC exams, a textbook for business English courses, or a self-study resource, with BEC as the final assessment exam.
The New Cambridge Business English Study Guide is written by Chinese BEC examiners and teacher trainers certified by the Cambridge University Examination Committee and the National Education Examination Center, with the participation of experts from nearly 20 institutions. This Chinese edition is designed to complement the original textbooks, offering additional explanations on learning objectives and methods, annotated difficult sentences, vocabulary notes, English language and cultural knowledge, as well as business knowledge and skills, to provide comprehensive teaching support for Chinese students.
The New Cambridge Business English series is one of the most up-to-date, authoritative, applicable, comprehensive, and professional textbooks in China. Its novelty is not only in terms of time but also in content. For example, English for Business Studies has added topics such as "information technology" and "joint ventures (entrepreneurs and venture capital)," while Working in English provides a link to the website. The series covers a wide range of business themes, including production, marketing, office work, management, finance, communication, travel, and human resources. Its authority lies in embodying the principles of modern foreign language education—authenticity, communicativeness, and comprehensiveness.
For instance, in terms of authenticity alone:
1) Authentic materials are used, sourced from newspapers, magazines, company documents, books, interviews, and especially from the online world, such as www.ft.com (the Global Archive, Financial Times' website).
2) Realistic tasks allow learners to interact with various business professionals, such as clients, colleagues/co-workers, superiors, subordinates, suppliers, company directors, quality managers, human resources managers, store managers, accountants, bond dealers, ecologists, economists, financial journalists, and even British Members of Parliament, through role-playing, case studies, group discussions, and pair work.
3) Authentic language is used, teaching English as a foreign language, with listening materials featuring native speakers, non-native speakers, and international businesspeople, providing a thorough collection of business and economic terms.
4) Authentic contexts are created through eliciting information and preliminary discussion questions during teaching to foster real-life communication.
With these elements of authenticity, the communicative nature of teaching is naturally achieved. The comprehensiveness of the series means that the content can be tailored to meet the needs of different teaching approaches, without requiring a "step-by-step" progression from start to finish.
The applicability of this textbook lies in its suitability for business students or professionals to acquire practical skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the business world. It also helps learners develop methods for language acquisition and key principles of business communication, enabling them to work, solve problems, handle conflicts, manage personnel, improve themselves, and enhance their abilities in English.
Ultimately, these advantages contribute to the professionalism of the textbook, which is reflected not only in specialized foreign language teaching but also in professional business communication.
In summary, the New Cambridge Business English and the New Cambridge Business English Study Guide are the culmination of the intellect, effort, and dedication of domestic and international business English teaching experts and assessment specialists. Their sole goal is to contribute to the international exchange and prosperity of business activities for "global citizens." We sincerely wish those who strive in the international business world and global workplace to "be a good tool before a good job," mastering business English as a powerful "tool" as quickly as possible.