Conducting business with people from different cultures can often be tricky. Different gestures, eye contact, and posture mean different things depending on where you're from.
The international students enrolled in the English for Business class offered at Sonoma State's American Language Institute (SSALI) are learning for example that while giving a presentation with your hands behind your back is a sign of respect in Japan, in the United States it is viewed as the "prisoner stance."
"The students get an overview of how American and international business is conducted," says Vicki Avila, the instructor for the class who has a 15-year background in business.
"Often students take this class to prepare themselves for taking business classes at Sonoma State; many of them have taken business classes in their home countries but need to learn the English terminology."
In addition to learning about business culture, students explore actual business practices by writing a business plan for a company. In the past, some of the entrepreneurial aspirations have included designing, marketing, and selling of T-shirts, hats, and calendars.
The English for Business class is not restricted to only the students enrolled in SSALI but is open for the members of the community. English for Business is offered usually every fall semester, and includes three hours of instruction per week for 13 weeks.
The cost for 1-5 hours of instruction per week at SSALI is $52. "Business classes are valuable for anyone," Avila says. "They are a good basis for any profession."
SSALI has offered specialized English as a second language classes geared towards the business community in the past, and might offer them again if there were more interest from the businesses around the area.
Some of these classes have included accent reduction and business writing. SSALI is planning to offer a medical English course targeted especially to non-native English speakers who are working in hospitals.
For more information, contact SSALI at (707) 664-2742 or log on to their website at www.sonoma.edu/exed/ssali
