Exploring Cultural Competence in Business English: Bridging the Gap between Traditional Language Learning and ESP Teaching

In today’s globalised business world, effective communication and collaboration across cultures are crucial for success. Cultural competence, the ability to understand and navigate cultural differences, plays a vital role in achieving this. However, traditional language learning approaches often fail to adequately prepare learners for the cultural challenges they will face in professional contexts. English for Specific Purposes ‘ESP’ teaching, on the other hand, is well-suited to address this gap by integrating cultural content and skills into language teaching. This paper will explore the importance of cultural competence in Business English and discuss how ESP teaching can bridge the gap between traditional language learning and the needs of the business world. Precisely, the paper will aim to define cultural competence and its importance for Business English learners. It will also outline the challenges and opportunities for integrating cultural content and skills into ESP teaching. Additionally, it will answer the following question: How can ESP practitioners design and implement practical learning tasks to promote cultural competence in their students? The paper will conclude with a summary of the key findings and recommendations for ESP practitioners and syllabus designers.