Teaching Business English for Commerce Students- ATask-Based Approach

Abstract

Globalization has made English language learning a necessity. Efficient English language communication is essential for professional development. It is one of the most needed employment skills. Though all the language skills are important, the aural and oral skills are neglected in classroom. The reasons for these remain the prescribed text book and exam pattern. Listening and speaking skills form the major part of language learning. Those are the skills which are very important in the job market. Enhancing these skills is the main aim of the English classes at all levels. Through task-based approach, the researcher expects to enhance the aural and oral skills in the Commerce students. The study explores the possibilities of tasks and text book content to practice real life communication to enhance professional English. In this frame, the tasks suitable the for the selected lessons are suggested, concentrating on task sequencing in an increasing difficulty level and to meet the demands of the language skills to be enhanced in the graduate students. The findings of the research show that the lessons in the text book could be imparted through Task Based Approach to develop the listening and speaking skills. The limited time frame for a semester is the limitation to implement the Approach to teach the lessons included in the text book. The study suggests ideas to overcome the limitation and include task-based teaching using the text book.