business trip topic

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Lesson Plans

Business Trip ESL Lesson Plan [Free PDF]

Posted by by ESL Questions About
9 months ago

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Business Trip ESL Lesson Plan is designed to equip students with the language skills and cultural understanding necessary for successful business trips. In today’s global economy, professionals often need to travel for work, and being able to communicate effectively in English during these trips is essential. This lesson plan will focus on practical vocabulary, expressions, and scenarios commonly encountered during business travels, helping students feel more confident and prepared in a professional setting. With this lesson plan, students will gain valuable language skills that can be directly applied to real-world situations, making it an essential topic for ESL learning.

Vocabulary Building

Contextual usage.

1. We need to finalize the itinerary for the upcoming business trip before we book the flights. 2. The company covers accommodation expenses for employees traveling on official business. 3. Don’t forget to submit your expense report along with all supporting receipts by the end of this week. 4. The client meeting has been rescheduled to next Tuesday at 10 AM. 5. Sarah will be giving a presentation on our latest project during the conference next month.

ESL Warm-up Activity

To kick off the lesson on business trips, start with a roleplay activity where students are divided into pairs and given specific business travel scenarios. For example, one student can act as a business traveler arriving at an airport, facing language barriers or transportation issues, while the other plays the role of a helpful local or service provider. This will encourage students to use vocabulary related to travel, communication, and problem-solving in a practical context. It sets the tone for the lesson by immersing students in realistic situations they may encounter during business trips.

Main ESL Lesson Activities

Vocabulary activity: travel scenarios.

Divide the class into groups of three or four. Provide each group with a set of travel scenarios related to business trips. Instruct the students to discuss and identify relevant vocabulary words and expressions associated with each situation. Encourage them to create dialogues using the vocabulary they have learned, simulating real-world conversations during business travels. Afterward, each group can present their dialogues, allowing for peer feedback and further discussion.

Roleplay Exercise: Business Meeting Simulation

Pair up the students and assign roles such as company representatives, clients, or service providers. Provide each pair with a scenario involving a business meeting during a trip. Students will engage in roleplay, practicing conversational English and professional etiquette in a simulated business setting. This activity offers an opportunity for students to apply their language skills in context while also developing confidence in using English for business interactions.

Listening Comprehension: Trip Itinerary Details

Play an audio recording detailing a typical trip itinerary including flight details, accommodation arrangements, meeting schedules, and transportation information. After playing the recording once, have the students work in pairs to jot down important details they caught from listening. Following this, facilitate a class discussion where students share what they heard and compare notes with their peers.

Reading & Writing Task: Expense Report Analysis

Distribute sample expense reports from previous business trips to individual students. Ask them to analyze the reports and summarize key information such as total expenses incurred, breakdown of costs (e.g., transport, accommodation), and any reimbursement claims made by employees if applicable. This exercise encourages reading comprehension while enhancing analytical skills related to financial documentation commonly encountered during professional travels.

ESL Homework Assignment

For homework, students will be tasked with preparing a mock business trip itinerary. They are to research a destination and compile a detailed plan of their travel schedule, including flights, accommodation options, and potential meeting or event locations. Additionally, students should create an expense report for this trip based on estimated costs for transportation, lodging, meals, and any other associated expenses. This assignment reinforces the vocabulary and concepts covered in class while also fostering independent research skills related to business travel planning.

Key Points Summary

Throughout this lesson, students explored essential vocabulary and scenarios relevant to business trips, gaining a deeper understanding of communication and cultural aspects involved in professional travel. They engaged in practical activities such as roleplays, listening exercises, and reading comprehension tasks, preparing them for real-world situations they may encounter during business travels.

Reflection and Application

It’s important for students to reflect on how the language skills learned in this lesson can be applied to their overall language development. Understanding the nuances of communication in professional settings not only improves their ability to navigate business trips effectively but also enhances their overall English proficiency. By mastering the vocabulary and communication strategies vital for successful business interactions, students can elevate their language skills for both personal and professional growth.

Why this topic is great for ESL learning

The Business Trip ESL Lesson Plan offers practical and relevant content for English language learners who have an interest in or need for business-related communication skills. As English continues to be the global language of business, equipping students with the language and cultural knowledge necessary for successful business trips is crucial. This lesson plan not only enhances students’ professional communication abilities but also provides them with valuable real-world skills that can be immediately applied in their careers. By engaging in scenarios, vocabulary building, and practical exercises related to business travel, students develop both linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness essential for professional settings.

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Conversation Questions

600 Best ESL Conversation Questions on Talking about Business

A H M Ohidujjaman

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Learning to talk about business in English is crucial for ESL students. It helps them understand business terminology, discuss workplace scenarios, and engage in meaningful conversations about the corporate world and entrepreneurial activities.

ESL teachers can use these conversation questions to help students practice speaking and participating in discussions about business topics, including management, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. These questions are excellent for building vocabulary and boosting confidence in discussing business concepts and practices.

This resource has 600 questions in 10 categories for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced learners, ensuring that every student can participate. These questions create fun and interactive learning experiences when used in varied speaking exercises like class discussions, business role-plays, or presentations.

By using these questions in the classroom, students will improve their ability to talk about business in English. This will help them become more knowledgeable about business practices, confident speakers, and effective communicators in various professional contexts.

This set of 600 business conversation questions, divided into 10 categories and six proficiency levels, is a valuable tool for ESL teachers to teach communication skills and promote business literacy among ESL students.

Category 1: talking about business introduction.

Beginner (A1):

What is business?
Do you know any famous businesses?
Why do people start businesses?
What do businesses sell?
Where can you find businesses in your city?
Do you buy things from businesses? Why?
Can you name some common business professions?
What is the difference between a small business and a big business?
How do businesses make money?
Why is business important?

Elementary (A2):

What are the main types of businesses?
Can you describe a typical day in a business?
How do businesses help the economy?
Have you ever visited a business? Which one?
What skills do you think are important for working in a business?
Do you know any famous entrepreneurs? Who?
Why do businesses need customers?
What are some challenges businesses face?
How do businesses communicate with customers?
What do you think the future of business looks like?

Intermediate (B1):

How do businesses attract customers?
What role does marketing play in a business?
Can you explain the concept of supply and demand?
How do businesses decide how much to charge for their products or services?
What are some common business strategies?
How do businesses handle competition?
Can you describe the process of starting a new business?
Why is customer service important in business?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working for a large corporation?
How do businesses adapt to changes in the market?

Advanced (C1):

How do businesses navigate complex geopolitical and economic challenges?
Can you discuss the role of corporate governance in ensuring transparency and accountability in business?
How do businesses address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their operations and workforce?
What strategies do businesses use to manage crises and reputation risks?
Can you analyze the impact of mergers and acquisitions on business growth and consolidation?
How do businesses leverage data analytics and business intelligence for strategic decision-making?
What role does corporate social responsibility play in shaping consumer perceptions and brand loyalty?
How do businesses adapt to regulatory changes and compliance requirements?
Can you discuss the impact of corporate culture on organizational performance and employee engagement?
How do businesses balance short-term financial goals with long-term sustainability and value creation?

Proficient (C2):

How do businesses foster innovation ecosystems and collaborate with startups and incubators?
Can you discuss the role of business leaders in driving organizational change and transformation?
How do businesses contribute to shaping public policy and advocacy agendas?
What strategies do businesses use to address systemic inequalities and promote social justice?
Can you analyze the impact of disruptive technologies and business models on established industries?
How do businesses navigate ethical dilemmas and uphold integrity in their operations and decision-making?
What role does corporate diplomacy play in managing international relations and business partnerships?
How do businesses foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptability in a rapidly changing world?
Can you discuss the potential of purpose-driven business models to drive positive social and environmental impact?
How do businesses contribute to shaping a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for all?

Category 2: Talking about Entrepreneurship

What is an entrepreneur?
Do you know anyone who has started their own business?
Why do people become entrepreneurs?
What is a startup?
Can you name some basic business ideas?
Why is entrepreneurship important?
How do entrepreneurs make money?
What are some qualities of a successful entrepreneur?
Have you ever thought about starting your own business?
What do you think is the first step to becoming an entrepreneur?
Can you describe a successful entrepreneur you admire?
What are some common challenges entrepreneurs face?
How do entrepreneurs come up with business ideas?
Do you think anyone can become an entrepreneur?
What is the difference between an entrepreneur and a business owner?
How do entrepreneurs find customers for their businesses?
What skills do you think are important for entrepreneurs to have?
Have you ever had an idea for a business?
What do you think makes a business idea good?
How do entrepreneurs deal with failure?
Can you explain the concept of risk-taking in entrepreneurship?
What are some ways entrepreneurs finance their businesses?
How important is market research for entrepreneurs?
What role does innovation play in entrepreneurship?
How do entrepreneurs build and grow their networks?
Can you describe the process of creating a business plan?
What are some common mistakes new entrepreneurs make?
How do entrepreneurs balance work and personal life?
What are some examples of successful entrepreneurial ventures?
How do entrepreneurs contribute to the economy?

Upper Intermediate (B2):

What are some emerging trends in entrepreneurship?
How do entrepreneurs identify opportunities in the market?
Can you discuss the concept of scalability in business?
What are the different stages of business growth for startups?
How do entrepreneurs measure success?
Can you describe a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem?
What role does mentorship play in entrepreneurship?
How do entrepreneurs pivot their businesses when necessary?
Can you discuss the impact of entrepreneurship on society?
What ethical considerations do entrepreneurs face?
How do entrepreneurs navigate regulatory environments and legal challenges?
Can you discuss the concept of disruptive innovation in entrepreneurship?
How do entrepreneurs manage intellectual property rights for their innovations?
What strategies do entrepreneurs use to scale their businesses internationally?
How do entrepreneurs assess and manage financial risks in their ventures?
Can you analyze the role of venture capital in supporting entrepreneurship?
What are some strategies for building a sustainable and socially responsible business?
How do entrepreneurs leverage technology to drive innovation in their businesses?
Can you discuss the psychological aspects of entrepreneurship, such as resilience and perseverance?
How do entrepreneurs contribute to job creation and economic development?
How do entrepreneurs influence public policy and shape regulatory frameworks?
Can you analyze the role of entrepreneurship in addressing global challenges such as climate change and inequality?
How do entrepreneurs cultivate a culture of innovation and creativity within their organizations?
Can you discuss the impact of globalization on entrepreneurial opportunities and strategies?
How do entrepreneurs balance the pursuit of profit with social and environmental responsibility?
Can you evaluate different models of corporate governance in entrepreneurial ventures?
How do entrepreneurs navigate complex geopolitical dynamics and international trade relations?
Can you discuss the role of storytelling and branding in building successful entrepreneurial ventures?
How do entrepreneurs foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organizations?
Can you envision the future of entrepreneurship and its potential societal implications?

Category 3: Talking about Marketing and Advertising

What is marketing?
Do you like seeing advertisements?
Why do companies advertise their products?
Where do you see advertisements in your city?
Can you name some common marketing techniques?
Why is advertising important?
How do companies attract customers?
What do you think makes a good advertisement?
Have you ever bought something because of an advertisement?
What is your favorite advertisement?
How do companies promote their products?
Can you describe a memorable advertisement you’ve seen?
What role does social media play in marketing?
How do companies target specific audiences with their advertisements?
What are some examples of successful marketing campaigns?
How do companies measure the effectiveness of their advertisements?
Can you explain the difference between marketing and advertising?
Why do companies use slogans and logos in their advertisements?
How do advertisements influence consumer behavior?
What do you think makes a bad advertisement?
Can you discuss the concept of branding in marketing?
How do companies use storytelling in their advertisements?
What ethical considerations should companies consider when advertising?
How do companies use data analysis in marketing?
Can you explain the concept of target demographics in marketing?
How do companies create a marketing strategy?
What role do influencers play in modern marketing?
How do companies use customer feedback in their marketing efforts?
Can you discuss the impact of digital marketing on traditional advertising methods?
How do companies adapt their marketing strategies to different cultures and languages?
How do companies build brand loyalty among consumers?
Can you discuss the psychology behind consumer decision-making in marketing?
How do companies use content marketing to engage with customers?
What are some emerging trends in digital marketing?
How do companies integrate online and offline marketing efforts?
Can you analyze the effectiveness of celebrity endorsements in advertising?
How do companies use storytelling to create emotional connections with consumers?
What role does customer relationship management (CRM) play in marketing?
How do companies use search engine optimization (SEO) to improve their online visibility?
Can you discuss the concept of integrated marketing communications (IMC)?
How do companies measure return on investment (ROI) in marketing?
Can you discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on marketing automation?
How do companies leverage data-driven marketing to personalize customer experiences?
What are some ethical dilemmas in targeted advertising and personalized marketing?
How do companies use neuromarketing techniques to understand consumer behavior?
Can you analyze the role of market research in informing marketing strategies?
How do companies navigate privacy concerns and regulations in digital marketing?
What strategies do companies use to create viral marketing campaigns?
Can you discuss the role of storytelling in building brand narratives and identities?
How do companies use experiential marketing to engage with consumers in unique ways?
How do companies create omnichannel marketing experiences for consumers?
Can you evaluate the impact of cultural and social trends on marketing strategies?
How do companies use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in marketing campaigns?
What are some examples of successful guerrilla marketing tactics?
How do companies use data visualization and storytelling to communicate insights from marketing analytics?
Can you discuss the role of marketing in shaping societal values and norms?
How do companies engage in cause-related marketing and corporate social responsibility initiatives?
What strategies do companies use to maintain brand consistency across global markets?
Can you analyze the role of emotion and persuasion in effective marketing communication?
How do companies use predictive analytics and machine learning in marketing automation?

Category 4: Talking about Finance and Accounting

What is money?
Do you save money? Why?
Why is it important to have a budget?
What is a bank?
Can you name some common expenses?
Why do people need to pay taxes?
How do you pay for things?
What is a loan?
Have you ever received money as a gift?
What is the difference between saving and spending money?
How do banks help people manage their money?
Can you explain the concept of interest?
What is a credit card?
How do people earn money?
What is the difference between income and expenses?
How do people keep track of their money?
What are some ways to save money?
Can you discuss the importance of financial planning?
How do people invest their money?
What do you think is the best way to spend money?
Can you explain the concept of inflation?
How do people prepare for retirement?
What is the stock market?
How do people calculate profit and loss?
Can you discuss the role of insurance in financial planning?
How do people manage debt?
What are some common financial goals?
Can you explain the concept of compound interest?
How do people create a personal budget?
What are some risks associated with investing money?
Can you discuss the impact of economic factors on personal finances?
How do people diversify their investment portfolios?
What are some strategies for minimizing taxes?
How do people evaluate the financial health of a company?
Can you explain the concept of cash flow?
How do people calculate return on investment (ROI)?
What role do financial advisors play in personal finance?
How do people plan for major life events, like buying a house or starting a family?
Can you discuss the concept of financial independence?
How do people manage risk in their investment strategies?
How do people analyze financial statements?
Can you discuss the impact of globalization on financial markets?
How do people use derivatives in investment strategies?
What are some strategies for hedging against financial risks?
Can you analyze the role of central banks in monetary policy?
How do people assess the value of a company’s stock?
What ethical considerations should investors take into account?
How do people navigate regulatory frameworks in international finance?
Can you discuss the role of behavioral economics in personal finance decisions?
How do people manage complex financial portfolios?
How do people analyze macroeconomic trends to inform investment decisions?
Can you evaluate the impact of fiscal policy on financial markets?
How do people use quantitative analysis in financial modeling?
What are some emerging trends in fintech and financial innovation?
Can you discuss the role of cryptocurrencies in the future of finance?
How do people navigate geopolitical risks in international finance?
What strategies do people use for sustainable and ethical investing?
Can you analyze the impact of demographic shifts on financial planning?
How do people manage currency risk in international investments?
What are some strategies for optimizing asset allocation in investment portfolios?

Category 5: Talking about Management and Leadership

What is a leader?
Do you know anyone who is a leader?
Why do people need leaders?
What is a team?
Can you name some common leadership qualities?
Why is teamwork important?
How do leaders help their teams?
What is a goal?
Have you ever been part of a team?
What do you think makes a good leader?
How do leaders communicate with their teams?
Can you describe a time when you worked with a leader?
What is the difference between a manager and a leader?
How do leaders motivate their teams?
What are some common leadership styles?
How do leaders make decisions?
Can you explain the importance of trust in leadership?
Why is it important for leaders to listen to their teams?
How do leaders handle conflicts within their teams?
What role do leaders play in setting goals for their teams?
Can you discuss the concept of servant leadership?
How do leaders delegate tasks effectively?
What are some strategies for giving feedback as a leader?
How do leaders foster a positive work culture?
Can you analyze the role of emotional intelligence in leadership?
How do leaders manage change within their organizations?
What are some common challenges leaders face?
How do leaders prioritize tasks and manage their time?
Can you discuss the importance of accountability in leadership?
How do leaders develop and mentor their team members?
How do leaders create and articulate a vision for their organizations?
Can you discuss the concept of transformational leadership?
How do leaders build effective teams?
What strategies do leaders use to promote diversity and inclusion?
Can you analyze the impact of culture on leadership styles?
How do leaders navigate power dynamics within their organizations?
What role does ethical leadership play in decision-making?
How do leaders balance autonomy and control within their teams?
Can you discuss the importance of continuous learning for leaders?
How do leaders foster innovation and creativity in their organizations?
How do leaders navigate complex organizational structures and dynamics?
Can you analyze the role of leadership in driving organizational change?
How do leaders manage crisis situations and maintain resilience?
What strategies do leaders use to build strategic partnerships and alliances?
Can you discuss the impact of globalization on leadership challenges?
How do leaders cultivate a culture of accountability and responsibility?
What role does systems thinking play in leadership decision-making?
How do leaders negotiate effectively in high-stakes situations?
Can you discuss the concept of distributed leadership and its implications?
How do leaders address issues of sustainability and corporate social responsibility?
How do leaders navigate ethical dilemmas and moral complexities?
Can you analyze the role of leadership in driving organizational innovation and entrepreneurship?
How do leaders cultivate and empower future leaders within their organizations?
What strategies do leaders use to promote organizational agility and adaptability?
Can you discuss the role of leadership in fostering organizational resilience and sustainability?
How do leaders address systemic inequalities and promote social justice within their organizations?
What are some strategies for building a culture of continuous improvement and learning?
How do leaders foster collaboration and cooperation across diverse teams and stakeholders?
Can you discuss the concept of authentic leadership and its impact on organizational culture?
How do leaders navigate the complexities of global leadership in a rapidly changing world?

Category 6: Talking about Global Business

What is global business?
Do you know any companies that operate internationally?
Why do companies do business in other countries?
What is an export?
Can you name some common products that are imported?
Why is international trade important?
How do companies communicate with people from other countries?
What is a multinational company?
Have you ever bought something from another country?
What do you think makes a successful global business?
How do companies expand into international markets?
Can you describe a time when you interacted with a global company?
What are some benefits of global business?
How do companies deal with different languages and cultures?
What are some challenges of doing business internationally?
How do companies transport goods across borders?
Can you explain the concept of outsourcing in global business?
Why do countries trade with each other?
How do companies adapt their products for different markets?
What role do international organizations play in global business?
Can you discuss the impact of globalization on global business?
How do companies conduct market research in other countries?
What strategies do companies use to enter new international markets?
How do companies manage currency exchange rates in global business?
Can you analyze the role of government regulations in international trade?
How do companies build and maintain relationships with international partners?
What are some examples of successful international joint ventures?
How do companies address cultural differences in global business negotiations?
Can you discuss the concept of global supply chains?
What strategies do companies use to mitigate risks in global business?
How do companies navigate geopolitical risks in global business?
Can you discuss the impact of trade agreements on global business?
How do companies manage intellectual property rights in international markets?
What role does technology play in facilitating global business operations?
Can you analyze the impact of global financial markets on international trade?
How do companies address environmental and social sustainability in global business?
What are some strategies for building a global brand presence?
How do companies adapt their marketing strategies for different cultural contexts?
Can you discuss the role of corporate social responsibility in global business?
How do companies measure success in global business ventures?
How do companies navigate complex legal and regulatory frameworks in international business?
Can you discuss the impact of cultural diplomacy on global business relationships?
How do companies manage political and economic risks in global business?
What strategies do companies use to negotiate international trade agreements?
Can you analyze the impact of emerging technologies like blockchain and AI on global business?
How do companies address ethical dilemmas in global supply chains?
What role does cross-cultural leadership play in managing global teams?
How do companies leverage data analytics to inform global business strategies?
Can you discuss the role of sustainable finance in supporting global business initiatives?
How do companies contribute to sustainable development goals through global business practices?
How do companies navigate geopolitical tensions and conflicts in global business operations?
Can you discuss the impact of pandemics and global crises on international trade and business?
How do companies address human rights concerns in global supply chains?
What strategies do companies use to promote inclusive and equitable global economic development?
Can you analyze the role of corporate diplomacy in managing international business relationships?
How do companies address challenges related to cybersecurity and data privacy in global business?
What role does innovation play in driving sustainable development through global business?
How do companies promote cross-cultural understanding and diversity in global business environments?
Can you discuss the role of international financial institutions in supporting global business initiatives?
How do companies contribute to shaping global governance and policy frameworks through their business practices?

Category 7: Talking about Ethics in Business

What are ethics?
Do you think it’s important for businesses to be ethical?
Why do companies need to follow rules?
Can you name some common ethical values?
Why should businesses treat their customers fairly?
How do businesses show that they care about their employees?
What is honesty?
Why should businesses be honest?
Have you ever seen someone do something dishonest at work?
What do you think makes a business trustworthy?
Can you describe a time when you had to make an ethical decision?
How do companies demonstrate integrity in their business practices?
What are some examples of unethical behavior in business?
How do businesses ensure product safety and quality for consumers?
Can you explain the concept of corporate social responsibility?
Why is it important for businesses to be transparent about their actions?
What role do ethics play in building long-term relationships with customers?
How do businesses address conflicts of interest?
Can you discuss the importance of fair competition in business?
What are some ways businesses can give back to their communities?
How do companies establish ethical codes of conduct for their employees?
Can you discuss the impact of unethical behavior on a company’s reputation?
How do businesses balance profit-making with ethical considerations?
What are some strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
Can you analyze the role of whistleblowers in exposing unethical practices?
How do businesses address environmental sustainability concerns?
What role do stakeholders play in holding businesses accountable for their actions?
How do businesses ensure fair treatment of workers throughout their supply chains?
Can you discuss the ethical implications of outsourcing and offshoring?
How do businesses respond to ethical dilemmas in their decision-making processes?
Can you analyze the role of leadership in fostering an ethical corporate culture?
How do businesses measure and report their social and environmental impact?
What strategies do businesses use to prevent bribery and corruption?
How do companies navigate ethical challenges in international business operations?
Can you discuss the ethical considerations of emerging technologies like AI and biotechnology?
How do businesses address conflicts between shareholder interests and societal well-being?
What role does corporate governance play in ensuring ethical business practices?
How do businesses address ethical issues related to data privacy and cybersecurity?
Can you discuss the impact of globalization on ethical standards in business?
How do businesses promote ethical decision-making among their employees?
How do businesses integrate ethics into their strategic planning processes?
Can you analyze the ethical implications of corporate lobbying and political influence?
How do businesses address human rights concerns in their global supply chains?
What strategies do businesses use to promote ethical innovation and responsible technology development?
Can you discuss the role of business in addressing systemic inequalities and social justice issues?
How do businesses navigate ethical dilemmas in emerging fields like gene editing and artificial intelligence?
What role do business leaders play in advocating for ethical business practices on a global scale?
How do businesses respond to criticism and public pressure regarding their ethical conduct?
Can you discuss the ethical implications of corporate restructuring and layoffs?
How do businesses contribute to shaping ethical norms and standards in society?
How do businesses promote a culture of ethical leadership and accountability throughout their organizations?
Can you analyze the ethical implications of business decisions in complex and ambiguous situations?
How do businesses address systemic injustices and promote equity and inclusion in their operations?
What role does corporate citizenship play in driving positive social and environmental impact?
Can you discuss the ethical considerations of business involvement in political and social issues?
How do businesses foster ethical behavior and integrity among their suppliers and partners?
What strategies do businesses use to align their values with those of their stakeholders and society?
How do businesses address ethical challenges related to emerging fields like biotechnology and artificial intelligence?
Can you discuss the ethical responsibilities of multinational corporations operating in diverse cultural contexts?
How do businesses contribute to advancing ethical norms and values in a rapidly changing global landscape?

Category 8: Talking about Technology and Business

What is technology?
How do businesses use technology?
Why is technology important for businesses?
Can you name some common types of technology?
How do you use technology in your daily life?
Why do businesses need computers?
What is the internet?
How do businesses use the internet?
Have you ever used a smartphone?
What do you think is the future of technology in business?
Can you describe a time when you used technology to solve a problem?
How do businesses use email for communication?
What are some examples of software that businesses use?
How do businesses use social media for marketing?
Can you explain the concept of e-commerce?
Why is cybersecurity important for businesses?
What role do smartphones play in business communication?
How do businesses use technology to store and manage data?
Can you discuss the impact of technology on the retail industry?
What are some ways businesses can use technology to improve efficiency?
How do businesses use data analytics to make decisions?
Can you discuss the impact of cloud computing on business operations?
How do businesses use customer relationship management (CRM) software?
What role does artificial intelligence (AI) play in business automation?
Can you analyze the impact of mobile apps on consumer behavior?
How do businesses use technology for remote work and virtual collaboration?
What are some emerging technologies that businesses are exploring?
How do businesses use technology to personalize customer experiences?
Can you discuss the ethical implications of using technology in business?
What challenges do businesses face when adopting new technologies?
How do businesses use big data to gain insights into consumer behavior?
Can you discuss the role of blockchain technology in supply chain management?
How do businesses use predictive analytics to forecast market trends?
What are some examples of successful digital transformation initiatives in business?
Can you analyze the impact of automation on employment patterns in different industries?
How do businesses address cybersecurity threats and data breaches?
What role does the Internet of Things (IoT) play in business operations and efficiency?
How do businesses leverage augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for marketing?
Can you discuss the ethical considerations of using facial recognition technology in business?
What strategies do businesses use to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape?
How do businesses use machine learning algorithms to optimize processes and decision-making?
Can you discuss the impact of 5G technology on business innovation and connectivity?
How do businesses harness the power of quantum computing for complex problem-solving?
What are some strategies for managing and analyzing unstructured data in business?
Can you analyze the role of digital twins in improving product design and performance?
How do businesses navigate regulatory challenges and compliance issues related to technology?
What role does open-source software play in business software development and innovation?
How do businesses use sentiment analysis and natural language processing for customer insights?
Can you discuss the impact of technology on the future of work and workforce transformation?
What strategies do businesses use to ensure responsible and ethical use of emerging technologies?
How do businesses leverage immersive technologies like extended reality (XR) for training and simulation?
Can you discuss the role of quantum encryption in ensuring cybersecurity for sensitive data?
How do businesses use digital twins and simulation models for predictive maintenance and optimization?
What are some strategies for integrating AI and human intelligence in business decision-making processes?
Can you analyze the impact of biometric authentication and identification technologies on security and privacy?
How do businesses harness the potential of edge computing for real-time data processing and analytics?
What role does explainable AI play in ensuring transparency and accountability in automated decision-making?
How do businesses address the digital divide and ensure equitable access to technology and digital resources?
Can you discuss the potential of blockchain technology for revolutionizing supply chain transparency and traceability?
What strategies do businesses use to foster a culture of continuous innovation and adaptability in a technology-driven world?

Category 9: Talking about Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility

What is sustainability?
Why is it important for companies to care about the environment?
How do businesses contribute to pollution?
Can you name some ways companies can reduce waste?
Why should companies care about the well-being of their communities?
What is recycling?
How do companies use resources like water and electricity?
Why should companies think about future generations?
Have you ever heard about companies planting trees?
What do you think businesses can do to help protect the environment?
Can you describe a time when you saw a company being environmentally friendly?
How do businesses support local communities?
What is corporate social responsibility?
Why is it important for companies to be transparent about their practices?
Can you explain the concept of sustainable development?
How do businesses reduce their carbon footprint?
What are some examples of sustainable packaging?
How do companies promote diversity and inclusion?
Can you discuss the importance of ethical sourcing for businesses?
How do businesses support employee well-being and work-life balance?
How do businesses integrate sustainability into their core strategies?
Can you discuss the concept of triple bottom line accounting?
How do companies measure and report their environmental impact?
What role do stakeholders play in holding companies accountable for their sustainability efforts?
Can you analyze the impact of sustainable business practices on long-term profitability?
How do companies engage with governments and NGOs to address social and environmental challenges?
What are some examples of companies leading the way in sustainable innovation?
How do businesses address human rights issues in their supply chains?
Can you discuss the concept of fair trade and its impact on global supply chains?
How do companies ensure transparency and accountability in their sustainability reporting?
How do businesses incorporate sustainable design principles into product development?
Can you discuss the role of circular economy principles in reducing waste and resource consumption?
How do companies address social inequalities and promote inclusive economic growth?
What strategies do companies use to mitigate climate change risks in their operations?
Can you analyze the impact of sustainable investing on corporate decision-making and financial performance?
How do businesses engage with consumers to promote sustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns?
What are some challenges companies face in implementing sustainable supply chain practices?
How do businesses address water scarcity and pollution issues in their operations and supply chains?
Can you discuss the role of innovation and technology in advancing sustainable business solutions?
How do companies promote environmental and social stewardship among their employees and partners?
How do businesses align their sustainability goals with global frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
Can you discuss the role of corporate governance in ensuring sustainable business practices?
How do companies measure and manage their social impact beyond financial metrics?
What are some examples of successful collaborative initiatives addressing complex sustainability challenges?
Can you analyze the role of supply chain transparency in promoting sustainable sourcing and production?
How do businesses navigate the complexities of sustainability certification and labeling schemes?
What strategies do companies use to address social justice issues and promote human rights in their operations?
How do businesses incorporate indigenous knowledge and traditional practices into their sustainability initiatives?
Can you discuss the potential of regenerative business models to restore ecosystems and communities?
How do companies promote sustainability literacy and awareness among their stakeholders and the wider public?
How do businesses leverage emerging technologies like blockchain and IoT for sustainable supply chain management?
Can you analyze the role of policy advocacy and lobbying in advancing corporate sustainability agendas?
How do companies address systemic inequalities and promote equitable access to resources and opportunities?
What strategies do companies use to address social and environmental justice issues in their value chains?
Can you discuss the potential of biomimicry and nature-inspired design principles for sustainable innovation?
How do businesses navigate the ethical complexities of offsetting and carbon trading in climate mitigation efforts?
What role do businesses play in fostering cross-sectoral collaboration for sustainable development?
How do companies embed principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion into their organizational cultures and practices?
Can you discuss the role of transformative leadership in driving systemic change towards sustainability?
How do businesses contribute to building resilient and regenerative economies that prioritize people and planet?

Category 10: Talking about Career Development and Networking

What is a career?
Why is it important to have a job?
How do people find jobs?
Can you name some common jobs?
Why do people work?
What is a resume?
How do people prepare for job interviews?
Why is it important to have skills?
Have you ever talked to someone about their job?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Can you describe a time when you applied for a job?
How do people write a cover letter?
What are some skills employers look for?
How do people prepare for a job interview?
Can you explain the concept of networking?
Why is it important to have goals in your career?
What role do internships play in career development?
How do people improve their skills for their career?
Can you discuss the importance of professionalism in the workplace?
What are some common career paths in your country?
How do people create a career development plan?
Can you discuss the impact of technology on the future of work?
How do people negotiate salary and benefits?
What are some strategies for building a professional network?
Can you analyze the role of mentorship in career growth?
How do people manage work-life balance in their careers?
What role does continuous learning play in career advancement?
How do people navigate career transitions and changes?
Can you discuss the importance of personal branding in career development?
How do people leverage social media for career networking?
How do people identify and pursue opportunities for career advancement?
Can you discuss the impact of globalization on career opportunities?
How do people manage their online presence and reputation for professional networking?
What are some effective strategies for building relationships with colleagues and industry professionals?
Can you analyze the role of emotional intelligence in career success?
How do people develop leadership skills in their careers?
What role does self-assessment play in career planning and development?
How do people navigate challenges and setbacks in their careers?
Can you discuss the importance of adaptability and resilience in a dynamic work environment?
How do people stay motivated and engaged in their careers over the long term?
How do people leverage strategic career moves to achieve their long-term goals?
Can you discuss the impact of artificial intelligence and automation on job markets and career paths?
How do people cultivate a personal board of advisors for career guidance and support?
What are some strategies for managing and leveraging workplace diversity for career growth?
Can you analyze the role of corporate culture and values in career satisfaction and fulfillment?
How do people navigate ethical dilemmas and integrity challenges in their careers?
What role does innovation and entrepreneurial thinking play in shaping career trajectories?
How do people manage cross-cultural communication and collaboration in globalized work environments?
Can you discuss the importance of continuous networking and relationship-building throughout one’s career?
How do people contribute to creating inclusive and equitable workplaces through their career choices and actions?
How do people navigate complex power dynamics and organizational politics in their careers?
Can you discuss the impact of macroeconomic trends and geopolitical shifts on career opportunities and challenges?
How do people foster a growth mindset and embrace lifelong learning in their career journeys?
What strategies do people use to cultivate a personal brand and thought leadership in their industries?
Can you analyze the role of social responsibility and sustainability in shaping career decisions and priorities?
How do people leverage disruptive technologies and emerging trends to innovate in their careers?
What role does cross-sectoral experience and interdisciplinary knowledge play in shaping career paths?
How do people advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplaces and industries?
Can you discuss the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in advancing careers and fostering talent development?
How do people contribute to shaping the future of work and creating meaningful impact through their careers?

By integrating these conversation questions into daily conversations, ESL students will gain a deeper understanding of business topics while building vocabulary and boosting confidence.

These questions enable engaging and interactive speaking activities, making it easier to teach speaking skills and discuss business matters.

This resource will help students become more knowledgeable and articulate about business experiences in English, preparing them for real-world professional discussions.

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20+ Great Business English Topics and Lesson Activities

For Business English students, it’s important that ESL lessons are based on the needs of their day-to-day work.

They want to practice situations taken from their professional environment, and discuss real-life Business English topics.

Some are: making phone calls, being able to hold and carry on conversations, speaking with colleagues, preparing and giving presentations, or negotiations.

Coming up with creative activities and finding good topics for your lessons can be tough and time-consuming.

The Business English activities in this post will save you time and effort in making quality content for your lessons.

Business english: 20+ activities for ESL Lessons

About the Business English Topics And Activities

Lessons including well-designed activities will prepare your students for their professional lives and give them the necessary skills and vocabulary needed to communicate effectively in English.

The 20 activity suggestions you’ll find in this post relate to the topics of business travel, commuting to work, big business, artificial intelligence, technology, and music.

The activities you can do on these business English topics are from specific lesson plans based on videos , which come equipped with a range of different printable Business English worksheets , conversation topics, speaking exercises, listening activities, and writing exercises for adults.

Below are some examples of activities from these lessons that can help your Business English students improve their communication skills.

Topic: AirBnB Business Travel

Airbnb has been expanding their services to open up the market for business travelers.

They are simplifying the process of booking and launched some tools which automatically organize your business trip expenses. This new business travel program is coming out strong.

Phone Calling
Writing Accommodation Descriptions
Leaving Reviews
Mobile App Concepts
Debate With Hotel Owner
Comparing and Contrasting

This topic works especially great with Business English lessons in the real estate, hospitality, or mobile app industries, but also in general for any businessmen or women who have to travel for their jobs.

This is an especially engaging Business English topic for a few reasons: it’s controversial (hotel owners aren’t happy about AirBnB) and it’s a hot topic (more and more people are choosing Airbnb over hotels).

Airbnb is a relatively new global powerhouse, revolutionizing the hospitality industry the same way that Uber revolutionized the taxi industry.

Activity: Phone Calling

Put students in pairs or a group. Assign each student a different role from the roles below, or they can choose one.

Students have to imagine that they are Airbnb hosts who just hosted:

A small group of middle-aged business travelers
A small group of young adult party travelers
A small family of 4 with young children
An individual traveler who came with his dog

Students then ‘call’ their ‘friends’ (another student in the class) to either leave a voicemail or talk about the experience (or complain about the experience!).

They should describe how the experience was as the host for these types of travelers:

What was different about hosting each of their stays?
Was it positive or negative and why?
Did anything good, bad, surprising, or unusual happen during their stay?

You could even have them imagine what could be a positive and negative experience for hosting these types of travelers.

You could even get a bit more creative with this one by assigning a pair of students a role from the list above, and they have to call the ‘host’ (their partner) and ask them questions or make special requests about their stay, e.g:

Am I allowed to bring my dog to your property?
Is there a nice cafe in the area where I can bring my laptop to do work?
We have a baby who cries a lot during the night. Will this bother you?

Even though with Airbnb, you would probably just message the host online, but in this case, you can make it a phone call to practice speaking.

Activity: Writing Accommodation or Property Descriptions & Reviews

Students work with a partner or group and imagine they are Airbnb hosts offering a special, exotic, or unique type of accommodation rental.

They should discuss and agree on the type of home rental they have to offer, where in the world it is, and create their own online listing for this rental on Airbnb.

In the listing, they should explain what type of rental it is, the location, the check-in and check-out procedure, a description and special features of the accommodation, and other housing details and rules.

Make students offer something different or special about their property – something they wouldn’t get somewhere else. Remember, they want to sell the experience!

Students then present their accommodation profile description to the other students in the class and then give their listing to another student or group.

The other student or group then makes a detailed review for that listing, imagining they actually stayed there.

Activity: Creating Mobile App Concepts in the Sharing Economy

Put students in pairs and give them a list of other mobile apps in the sharing economy.

Neighborgoods

Based on the name of the app, students have to discuss and explain what they imagine the concept of the app to be and how it works.

After students work together for a couple of minutes, go around the class and ask them to report their answers. If they’re not able to imagine what it might be, you can just tell them.

Ask them questions like:

Would this type of app be useful for you? Why or why not?
Which app from this list would help you the most?

Try to create an in-depth class discussion about all of these apps.

For the apps listed above specifically, you can discuss things like:

If parking is a problem for your students (JustPark)
What they do with their dog when they go on a trip (DogVacay)
If they would be interested to drive with a stranger for many hours (BlaBla Car)
If they’ve ever eaten at someone’s home, from another country or culture (HomeDine)

Then, students can either work with the same or different partners to create their own concept for a mobile app in the sharing economy.

They should focus on things like:

The special features of the app
What problem it solves / Why it’s a good idea
How it works
What problems could happen when people use your app

An alternative to this one is I’ve also had students imagine that they were the founders of Airbnb, and they have to come up with their own detailed story behind the establishment of the company, which turned out to be a fun activity.

Activity: Debate Between AirBnB Representative and Hotel Owner

Put students in pairs or two small groups and they prepare for a debate.

One student or group takes the position of an AirBnB company representative and the other takes the position of a Hotel Owner.

Each side must prepare, defend, and present their positions to the other groups, presenting information about…

Why they believe their accommodation service is better (at least 3 advantages of your service) Students must talk about the top reasons to stay in a hotel over Airbnb, or vice versa.
If you think Airbnb should be legal or illegal and why (obviously the AirBnB rep will say it should be legal and the hotel owner will say it should be illegal)
The positive impact your service has on society and the economy
What actual people and guests have said about your accommodation services

You can refer to this article to help students talk about Airbnb versus hotels if they are having trouble coming up with ideas.

Your role as the teacher will be the moderator during the debate – generating follow-up questions for the students or groups when they present their sides. Keep the debate clean and flowing smoothly.

Activity: Comparing and Contrasting (Hotels vs. AirBnB or Uber vs. Taxi)

If for any reason you don’t want to make this an official ‘debate,’ another thing you could do is just make it a general, in-depth class discussion, conversation, or compare & contrast about the advantages and disadvantages of staying in Airbnb in comparison with hotels.

Make sure students talk about their own experiences.

Transition the discussion to the conflict between Uber and Taxi, because they are facing a similar conflict for similar reasons.

If your students enjoyed the discussion about AirBnB and hotels, an interesting follow-up lesson topic for you might be about a businessman who is building hotels designed for outer space .

Topic: Commuting to Work

Many businessmen and women in the modern world have to commute for hours and hours per week to their jobs or for work purposes. Sitting in the car or public transit like this can really have a negative impact on one’s overall lifestyle.

Telling a Story
Commenting on YouTube
Expressing Frustrations or Complaining
Talking About Lifestyle & Daily Routines

The reason this topic works so well in Business ESL lessons is that it reaches such a wide spectrum of people.

Everyone who has a job as an employee in a company, a school, a factory, etc has a unique situation. All Business English students usually have a lot to say about their experience commuting (or home office if they have that privilege!).

Activity: Telling a Story

Students work in pairs.

Student A: This student imagines that he/she spends a lot of time commuting and is very pessimistic about the situation.

This student believes that they have the worst commute in the world. Describe the situation in detail. The student should complain about it as much as possible and why they hate it so much.

They should take notes on:

Where you live
Your daily routine
Where you go to work
What’s so bad about the commute / What are the conditions of the commute
How commuting makes you feel

The student then has to tell one negative story that they have had during their commute.

Student B: This student imagines that they spend a lot of time commuting but is very optimistic about the situation.

This student loves the situation that they have. They should discuss and explain in detail why they have the best commute in the world, talk about it as much as possible and why they enjoy it.

Also, they take notes on:

They tell one positive story that they’ve had during your commute.

After the students write notes for their roles (give them a few minutes), have them describe their situations to their partner.

They should listen to their partner’s situation carefully because they should then report the details of their partner’s situation back to the class!

Activity: Commenting on YouTube

At the beginning of the video, the reporter complains about her long daily routine and commute, and then she says to the audience:

“Before you go and post that comment telling me to ‘move closer’, you need to see that I’m not the only person doing this.”

In pairs, students should come up with a response that the following type of people would write or say to the reporter in the YouTube comments section, e.g:

What could be a rude response to that statement in the comment section of the video?
What could be an empathetic response to that statement in the comment section of the video?
What could be a funny response to that statement in the comment section of the video?

Another activity you could do is give students some imaginary comments to that video, and then the students have to write responses to these imaginary comments. You can make it a speaking or writing activity.

For example, here are a few possible comments to that video:

Comment #1:

“Americans are completely crazy and lazy. You drive these huge cars to work and in reality , you don’t need to. Look at the Netherlands and Denmark – they have very efficient bicycle transport systems and bicycles are much more environmental. It’s stupid to drive everywhere.”

Comment #2:

“The best solution to this problem is self-driving cars. Our tax money should go more to support the production of self-driving cars. That way when people commute they can do productive things. The solution to public transit is getting better wifi connections on the subways and buses.”

You can instruct one student to write a response which agrees with each comment, and the other student to write a response which disagrees with each comment, something along those lines.

Activity: Expressing Frustrations & Complaining

Put students in pairs, or in two groups. You’ll distribute to each student pair or group two cards which read:

A: Riding on public transport
B: Driving in a car

Students must work together to come up with a list of all the things that frustrate them, annoy them, stress them out, or make them angry while (1) riding on public transport and (2) driving a car.

The group which comes up with the most things in the time limit (3 minutes should be good) wins.

This activity usually works really well because everyone gets angry, stressed, frustrated, etc. at some point while driving a car or riding public transportation.

A lot of good vocabulary can also come out of this one. You can even teach a couple of fun phrasal verbs related to driving when you talk about this topic:

Cut (someone) off – “I hate when I’m driving and someone cuts me off and then I have to slam on my brakes.”
Pull (someone) over – “I hate when I’m driving only a little bit above the speed limit and a police officer pulls me over.”
Freak out – “I hate driving with my father. He always drives aggressively and freaks out about small things.”
Run over – “I hate when I run over a nail or a sharp object and my tire goes flat.”
Hold (someone) up – “I hate when traffic holds me up and makes me late for work.”

You can use this activity for teaching students other terminology that is useful for expressing complaints or frustrations:

I get frustrated when…
I get all stressed out when…
It gets me so worked up when…
It pisses me off when…
I totally freak out when…
I lose my mind when…
It drives me nuts when…

Have students then use these expressions to talk about their frustrations commuting or about their job in general.

Activity: Talking About Lifestyle, Commuting, and Employment Situations

Spending hours commuting and then hours at the office has become so integrated into the modern working world that it can have quite a profound impact on our quality of life and lifestyle, which is why it’s good to talk about in a language lesson.

Here’s an activity you can do that will give your students a good opportunity to talk about their lifestyle, commute, and employment situation.

It’s also simple, easy to prepare, and generates quality conversation.

Print a number of statements on cards and give them to the students or write them on the whiteboard in class.

Put students in pairs or groups. Have them discuss if they think the following statements are generally true or false and why:

People are generally happier if they travel to work by car instead of public transportation.
In the USA, people generally commute to work or school by train or bus.
10 days of paid vacation per year is fair from an employer.
Regular exercise helps people deal with stress from work.
People are more productive if they have a 4-day working week instead of 5.

Put students in pairs or groups. Have them discuss if the following statements are true or false for them personally and have them explain why:

There is a positive working atmosphere at my job.
I am satisfied with my work-life balance.
Every day I eat a balanced and healthy breakfast before work.
When I commute to work I try to be productive on the way.
I prefer working from home rather than going to an office.
I spend too much time at work socializing with my colleagues.

Speaking about daily routines is also a great activity if you’d like to focus on the present simple as a grammar point for your lesson.

Topic: Big Business (Amazon, Coca-Cola, Netflix, etc.)

Using big companies and corporations as a topic in your Business English lessons is practical for obvious reasons and you can make it fun too for your students.

It’s especially great to use big business as a topic if you actually have adult students who work in big companies, but they’re also applicable topics for students who have their own business or who work in smaller companies.

History & Fun Facts
Developing a Product
Making Slogans
Analyzing the Impact of Technology on Jobs

Activity: History & Fun Facts About Big Companies

As a lead-in or warm-up exercise to a lesson about big business, you can search and find some fun or interesting facts or history about the companies.

One quick activity you could do to lead to a topic is a simple fill-in-the-blank that looks something like this:

Below are 5 interesting facts about Amazon. Let the students fill in the blanks with words that they think fit.

The founder Jeff Bazos wanted to name the company Amazon which has products from ‘A to Z’ symbolizing a large size, just like the Amazon ________________________ .
Amazon.com started as a bookstore in Jeff Bazos’ ________________________ .
The combined ________________________ of Amazon’s warehouses is enough to hold more water than 10,000 Olympic pools.
Today Amazon has more than 350,000 ________________________ .
One of Amazon’s first offices had a ________________________ which employees would ring every time a sale was made.

Below are 5 interesting facts about Coca-Cola. Fill in the blanks with words that you think fit.

The Coca-Cola ________________________ is recognized by 94% of the world’s population.
The word “cola” is derived from the kola ________________________ , which contains caffeine and can have medicinal value.
Coca-Cola can be a good ________________________ for insect bites on your skin.
Coca-Cola spends more money on ________________________ than Microsoft and Apple combined.
A few people once tried to sell the Coca-Cola ________________________ to Pepsi, but they were reported to the FBI.

A fun activity you can follow up with this one is instruct students to research any big business they have in mind and search for some fun facts about that company or the story behind how it started.

If they can’t think of one, you can give them a list of the biggest or most well-known companies in the world.

Have them give a few-minute presentation in the following lesson about the start or history of the company and a few fun facts about it. This is also good for developing presentation skills for adults in English.

They can use the questions below to help them give their presentation:

Who started the company and when? How did the idea originate?
What were some important moments in the company’s history?
What are some of the company’s most successful products or services? Describe them in detail.
What’s special or different about this company compared to the competitors?
What are some fun facts about your company?

Activity: Developing a Product

Amazon launched a prototype store called ‘Amazon Go’ in December of 2017 – it’s a type of grocery store where you can go shopping and add things to your virtual cart so that you don’t have to wait in line or check out.

You add the products to your shopping cart and you can just leave the store, and Amazon will automatically charge your account.

They have developed other types of products and services over the years that have been successful, such as the Amazon Kindle (E-Reader) and Amazon Echo (voice-controlled smart speaker/personal assistant).

In this activity, what you do is have students work together on product development for Amazon or for another big company.

Students work with a partner or group. They imagine to be product developers for Amazon and create two of their own products, or services provided and sold by Amazon.

They should discuss and create names for the products or services, which industry the products or services are in, and then write a description for each explaining how it works, what problem it solves, what’s so special about it, as well as what problems they have experienced in the development.

It can be a special kind of mobile app, tech gadget, clothing item, or something else.

Of course, it doesn’t necessarily have to be from Amazon. You can have students choose another company.

One way you could get your students to come up with a good idea is instruct them to think of some brands that they generally buy, and then brainstorm what products they think would be cool to have from those brands.

Or you can have them think of some problems or frustrations they have in their daily life and what product or service would solve those problems for them. In the case of Amazon Go, the problem was that people hate waiting in lines at supermarkets.

Remind students that it doesn’t have to be realistic, it can be something imaginary.

Most of your students who will do this activity probably haven’t developed a product before. Keep it basic, simple, and fun, and it should go ok.

You just want students to be creative and work together to make something special.

One time I had a group who made a personal assistant who did all of his presentations for him because he hated public speaking, which I thought was pretty funny.

Students should then present their new product to the other students or groups.

Activity: Making Slogans

This is a straightforward activity and easy to assign and it works great with any student who is in marketing. Students also tend to have fun with it.

Basically, all you need to do is assign students to make a slogan for whatever company or brand you’re discussing.

One thing I’ve done to make it interesting and add a little twist to it is to have students make a list of good and bad slogans for one company.

That one has definitely brought a couple laughs to the lesson, especially for the bad slogans.

Here are a few examples I’ve gotten from students for bad company slogans for Coca-Cola:

“Feed your sugar addiction.”
“Put on the big pounds.”
“Teeth are overrated.”

Anyway, give them some examples of some real slogans that have already existed for the brand before they make their own.

A few actual ones for Coca-Cola are:

“Open Happiness”
“Life Tastes Good.”
“Taste the Feeling.”

The advantage of having students make their own slogan or quote is that it lets student use creativity. When students have to think creatively, they’re forced to use important vocabulary terms and language structures in a special kind of way.

In any case, have your students share and present their slogans and quotes to the other students in the class.

Another great type of ESL group activities are information gap activities. Get 10 ideas here.

Activity: Analyzing the Impact of Technology on Jobs

Another great theme and activity that comes from a discussion about companies like Amazon, is analyzing the impact of technology on jobs.

That’s one big criticism of concepts like Amazon Go that I’ve discussed with my students. The more jobs that robots do for us, the more jobs they take away from humans (Amazon Go takes jobs away from cashiers).

One activity you could do on this is to have students brainstorm and come up with two more jobs, companies, or businesses that have been taken over or lost to technological advances.

Students should specify the name or type of the technology, which industry it is in, and three general impacts of this technology (can be positive or negative impacts).

Two examples I remember hearing from students was about VHS and video rental stores being lost to online streaming services like Netflix, and driving jobs being lost to self-driving cars.

Technology : Online streaming

Industry : Entertainment

It put VHS video rental stores out of business
It makes people lazier because they don’t go to the video store anymore
Illegal online pirating of films and TV becomes easier

Technology : Self-driving cars

Industry : Automotive

Less need for delivery drivers, truckers, and taxis
Fewer accidents on the road because machines are more precise than humans
People can focus on other things in the car if they don’t have to concentrate on driving

You can give these examples to your students if they don’t think of them.

You can also give students the task of coming up with two jobs where it could be very difficult for technology to take over. Which jobs do you think technology couldn’t do in the future? Students should specify why it would be difficult to take over these jobs using this technology.

Topic: Artificial Intelligence and Future Technology

Doing an ESL lesson activity about the impact of technology on jobs leads us to the next point: Artificial intelligence and future technology, which has its feet in many industries and certainly draws interest from Business English students.

Interview With a Humanoid Robot
Making a Sci-Fi Film Plot
Forming Opinions

This topic works especially great with Business English lessons in the IT or programming industry, but also in general for any businessmen or women who use technology regularly for their jobs.

This is an especially engaging Business English topic for a few reasons – it can get a little dark (a humanoid robot which can communicate freaks people out a bit!) and it’s also relevant – artificial intelligence and machine learning is making its way into a lot of industries, products, and software these days.

It’s interesting when the stuff that used to be sci-fi stuff turns into reality, and that’s what you want to focus on in your Business English lessons.

Activity: Interview With a Humanoid Robot

Watch the video about Sophia the robot with your students.

Basically, what students do is make an interview with her.

Sophia the robot makes for a great English lesson, period. Students are usually quite intrigued by “her” and there are so many different directions you can take this lesson.

After watching the video, instruct each student to create and write five extra questions that they would want to ask Sophia. (Questions which are not in the video interview).

After they are finished making their questions, they ask their partner the questions they made. Students then answer their partner’s questions from the perspective of Sophia the robot.

Here are some words or topics students could either use in their questions or use just as general topics to help them make their questions:

After a student answers each question, their partner should try to ask a follow-up question or two – a question you ask on the spot based on the answer you get.

Explain the concept of a follow-up question to your students and show them examples:

Original question : “What emotions do you feel?”

Answer : “I feel curious.”

Follow-up question : “Why do you feel curious?”

Answer : “I feel curious because I want to know why I was created and why I’m different than normal humans.”

Follow up question : “Can you imagine why you were created?”

Having students ask follow-up questions is great practice for developing interview and conversational skills because they have to think on their feet without time to prepare.

Activity: Making a Sci-Fi Film Plot

Watch the sci-fi short film about ‘Sight Systems’ which forecasts the evolution of ‘Google Glasses’ and Virtual Reality (which are also great topics to discuss in your Business English lessons).

After you watch the video with your students, a fun activity you could have your students do is to imagine that they are directors creating the next scenes to the short film they just watched about Sight Systems.

They should work in pairs and discuss and write what the next five scenes will be. Have them describe the scenes in detail and explain what happens in each scene.

Students then share what they came up with the other students in the class.

After this, put the students back together and they should come up with a short plot for a similar type of short film that they saw.

The plot must focus on the dangers of future technology. Alternatively, you could give them the option of creating a movie plot focusing on the bright sides of technology.

Activity: Forming Opinions and Interview Quotes

This activity can actually be applied to a range of different topics.

Put the students in pairs and have them imagine to be speaking from the perspective of the following companies or people.

Students have to make an opinion from the standpoint of each company or person.

Gas Company
Electric Car Company
Solar Panel Company
Environmental Activist
Auto Technician
Car Consumer

For the people above, you could have students imagine they were interviewed about their thoughts on electric charging highways.

What do they think about electric highways? Do they support or oppose them? Let them explain their opinion.

Then they have to agree on what would be the most important quote or statement from that interview.

Give students some useful phrases for expressing opinions to help them make their opinions or quotes, which are at least three sentences long and they explain their opinion.

You could give students an ideal example quote from an interview with an Environmental Activist:

“In the long-term, electric charging highways will be a great solution for decreasing pollution because it promotes the consumption and usage of electric vehicles, which are much better for the environment than gas-powered vehicles. However, in the short-term, electric charging highways could produce a negative impact on the environment because of the intense construction work that will be needed to create these highways all across the country. Therefore, I see a positive long-term effect and a negative short-term effect.”

You want your students to form something similar for each of the roles, then students should present the opinions or quotes they made together to the rest of the class.

Topic: Music

Doing ESL lesson activities about music is fun and there’s a lot of different directions you can take this topic in a lesson.

Music is also a big business with all of the jobs in music production, sound technology, festivals, online streaming services like Spotify, and these days even vinyl is making a comeback.

Organizing an Event
Making a Business Plan
Giving a Presentation

This topic works especially great with Business English lessons in the music industry, but also in general for any businessmen or women who use are interested in music.

This is an especially engaging Business English topic for a few reasons – people love music and it’s a big part of life for many people.

Activity: Organizing an Event

Have students work with a partner. They should imagine they are event organizers and are planning a festival concept for next summer.

They want to make it even better than the Belgian festival “Tomorrowland” and the most luxurious festival in the world.

What luxuries will there be? What special things can be added, implemented, planned, organized, or done in order to create a better festival experience for the guests?

Students should discuss these points together. They can use the discussion questions below to help them:

What special luxuries, things, offers, products, facilities, and features you will provide?
What will be different about the campsite? How will you make it better than Dreamville?
Describe the atmosphere. What’s unique about the stages and performances?
Describe the security concept. How will you make the event safe and what are the policies?

Students should then give a presentation about their festival concept to the other groups and describe in as much detail as possible what the festival will be like.

After hearing from the other groups, students can discuss which festival concept was the best and why and give advice about what might help their festival to be better.

Activity: Making a Business Plan

Students work together with a partner or group. They imagine that they are opening a vinyl store in their town. They must make a business plan and a to-do list.

Watch the video “Czech businessman leads vinyl revival” here.

They can answer these questions in their business plan:

What is the name of your vinyl shop?
Other than vinyls, what will you need to get started?
How will your vinyl shop stand out from the competition?
Describe what kind of theme or atmosphere the shop would have. How would you decorate the shop/front window?
Describe your ideal kind of customer or target market.
Describe your ideal kind of employee or shop assistant.
What could be some clever ways to advertise your shop?
What will be the biggest challenges of opening the shop?

Students can then present their business plan to the other students in the class.

Activity: Giving a Presentation

Students work with a partner or group. They imagine they are giving a presentation to a group of vinyl fanatics.

They should choose from one of the topics below they’d like to do a presentation about, or they can also make their own topic.

They should prepare and give a one-minute presentation to the other groups on their chosen topic.

Even if they don’t know much about the topic, you can just instruct them to be as creative as possible and come up with some interesting things to talk about.

Here are the topics they can choose from:

How to create a sustainable future for vinyl
The guide to shopping for and listening to vinyl like a pro
The future of music
Why the age of vinyl in the 70s beats today’s digital age
The steps to starting up a successful vinyl shop

You can have students do research on the internet if they have access.

You can also give students the choice to also come up with their own idea for a presentation, anything in the music sector. It doesn’t have to be specifically related to vinyls.

The most important thing is that students have a structure for their presentation, have researched important information about it, and teach the class something interesting.

You can also have students include one of each of the following things in their presentation:

A problem (Music has become too digital in modern ages.)
A statistic or fact (Over 7.6 million vinyls were sold in the US in 2018.)
An opinion (We believe that vinyls will continue to be popular for years.)
A quote (Zdenek Pelc said, “If people like something, they need something touchable.”)

Bonus Activity

This one last bonus activity you could do will help your students develop the skills they need for business and professional reasons.

Have them give a “show and tell” presentation or just simply talk about three gadgets, tools, products, services, etc they’ve bought in the recent past related to one of their personal interests.

Have the students teach the class either how to use this product or service, how it works, why they bought it, what the features are, what problem it solves for them, etc.

Here are some actual examples from my students, which you can show your students to give them an idea of what you’re looking for:

A new running watch
A subscription to Netflix
A Nintendo NES Classic Edition
A new bicycle helmet
A portable speaker

All of these activities referenced are meant to be engaging for your adult students in Business English lessons, but the most effective way to do them is with the full lesson plans via the links above.

Watching the videos with your students should generate extra discussion and give you extra content to work with.

Find more resources and ideas for your ESL lessons here.

Jake Young is a creative teacherpreneur from Pennsylvania who lives in Prague, CZ. He’s the brain behind Fluentize.com – a resource dedicated to providing teachers with comprehensive and modern lesson plans based on real-world videos. He’s also a passionate language learner, fluent in Czech language and an intermediate Italian language speaker.

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Brilliant content. Relevant topics and articles with comprehensive structural lesson plans. Thank you.

Practicing the business English lessons in he student life can be very helpful in longer run. This helps in the proper development of the individual for professional world. Thanks so much for sharing this!

This sight seems to be very good. Complete lessons for a teacher like me. Thank you so much for sharing it free of charge.

Business trips: fun or boring?

LESSON OVERVIEW

This lesson allows students to talk about business trips , learn some useful vocabulary , and have a lot of discussion and role- play .

B1 / Intermediate 60 min Standard Lesson Unlimited Plan Unlock these lesson worksheets with the Unlimited subscription

WARM-UP & VIDEO

The lesson starts with a warm-up activity. Students answer a few general questions and talk about business trips. Then, they look at different activities (e.g. delivering or taking professional training, networking with other professionals, trying local food , etc.) and discuss which things they would find interesting to do on a business trip. After that, students move on to a video. First, they watch the video and say why it was made. Then, they work with vocabulary (e.g. upgrade the room, grab a book, head to a pool, etc.). Students read sentences and choose the correct words . They watch the video again and check their answers. There is also a list of concept-checking questions for teachers to make sure students understand the key vocabulary.

ACTIVITIES TO TALK ABOUT BUSINESS TRIPS

In this part of the lesson, students practise the vocabulary and talk about business trips more. First, they discuss the tips from the video and add two or three tips of their own. Then, they complete the sentences with their ideas and add details. After that, students have a discussion and talk about business trips, what is important when you have one, and whether they are more stressful than regular work. As a final activity, students do a role play . They read the information about their business trip (e.g. hotel location and facilities, schedule, etc.) and decide how they will spend their free time together.

HOMEWORK/REVISION

This lesson also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students practise the use of the vocabulary to talk about business trips while describing pictures and brainstorming ideas. The task is available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. You can print it and hand it out to your students. It’s also included in the e-lesson plan.

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Business Travel: The Beginner’s Guide

June 12, 2019

In a world where it has become as easy as a quick few taps on smartphone to book a trip across the world, business travel is more widespread and accessible than ever before.

Are you a recent graduate or new employee looking for an introduction to business travel? This article provides an overview of the field as a whole as well as a guide to traveling for work and managing your business travel expenses .

What is business travel? A step-by-step business trip guide

Research from Statista shows that business travel contributes almost $1.3 trillion to the global economy in a single year, making it one of the world’s largest economic industries. Further research highlights only upward trends in the amount that is spent on business travel as well.

This research reflects an increasingly intertwined global economy. With the speed at which businesses on opposite sides of the world can interact over the internet and travel to meet with each other, employees are operating in a space where location is fluid and business interests can converge across state, national, and continental lines.

Thus, business travel is a vital part of many companies’ lifebloods. In this article, we’ll explore the four temporal components of a business trip and use them as a lens through which to discuss business travel.

Booking business travel

Oftentimes, the dates and general logistics of your business trip are determined by the wants and needs of the client(s) you visit on the trip. If possible, it’s always best to book as far in advance as you can to plan on being out of office. Of course this won’t always be the case, as business trips occasionally arise on short notice if a client needs a quick turnaround time on a particular task that requires a visit.

Booking a business trip is not the same as browsing the internet for the best deals on a family vacation . The online booking platform (OBT) that you use for securing your transportation and hotel depends on your company’s internal travel policy.

Some companies require their employees to book through a specific brand of travel management software or using a travel management company . A key motivator for companies to use travel management software is that it makes it easier to ensure that employees comply with corporate travel policies. These policies include which airfare class employees are allowed to book, which hotel star class they can stay in, and the class of rental car they can use.

For others, booking your business trip may be a similar experience to booking a trip outside of work, as some companies tolerate open market bookings.

The rigidity with which you’ll be dealing with in terms of booking compliance is dependent upon your company’s travel policy and budget. In most cases, you’ll be looking at a range of mid-tier flight and hotel options that best fit your needs in terms of schedule and distance from the site where you’ll conduct most of your business.

Preparing for the trip

Business trips are often short and have a singular purpose. Get to your destination, meet with the people you need to meet with, and go home. Because of the high energy level required for such a focused itinerary, you’ll want to make sure that you are well-rested going into the trip.

After arriving at your destination, there may not be time to catch a nap before heading to your first meeting, so you’ll want to ensure that you are able to operate at peak performance as soon as you arrive.

Travel with your important items in your carry-on bag just in case anything happens to your checked luggage. Almost everything you bring on a business trip should be essential to your work, and with a short turnaround between arrival and meetings, you can’t risk not having item X, Y, Z..

On the trip

While on your trip, optimize for everything you can. Outside of any business-related commitments, you’ll want to make sure you have as much time as you need for your work. If there is a particular company policy regarding a daily per diem, or allowance, for meals or transportation, you’ll also need to keep that in mind.

If your trip is to a destination with a lot to see outside business hours or a place where you have friends or family, you can also check with your company’s travel policy regarding bleisure travel. Bleisure, a combination of “business” and “leisure,” means adding a few days onto the beginning or end of your trip to enjoy the opportunity to spend some time not only inside an office.

After the trip

The most important part of finishing a business trip is gathering your expenses and filing an expense report. Between flights, hotels, other transportation, and food, you likely spend a decent amount of money and would like your expenses to be approved and reimbursed as quickly as possible.

Having your expenses approved and reimbursed is typically an easy process, especially if your company uses a form of expense management software .

See the Easiest-to-Use Expense Management Software →

It’s a trip!

Traveling for work may seem daunting, but thinking about your trip in terms of these four segments will help you succeed at all points of your trip. If your job allows you the opportunity to spend time outside of your office, enjoy it—and maybe spend time in some exciting destinations along the way.

Rob is a former content associate at G2. Originally from New Jersey, he previously worked at an NYC-based business travel startup. (he/him/his)

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Business Travel

“Investment in travel is an investment in yourself.” Matthew Karsten, travel blogger

December 9, 2021
Business English
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Latest lesson plans

This Business English lesson plan on business travel has been designed for business professionals or other adults and young adults at an intermediate (B1/B2) to advanced (C1/C2) level and should last around 45 to 60 minutes for one student.

People have travelled for business purposes since the emergence of commerce. Nowadays, instead of a caravan pulled by a camel along the silk road, we take these trips by car or plane. Many businesses are departments dedicated to these experiences. For some, business travel can be a stressful time; for others, it can be the opportunity to have an exciting new experience. In this Business English lesson plan on business travel, students will have the opportunity discuss and express their opinions on issues such as the pros and cons of business travel, their experiences travelling for work, and what to pack for a business trip.

For advice on how to use this English lesson plan and other lesson plans on this site, see the guide for ESL teachers .

PRE-CLASS ACTIVITIES

Reading activity Before the English class, send the following article to the students and ask them to read it while making a list of any new vocabulary or phrases they find (explain any the students don’t understand in the class):

INC | 12 Surprising Benefits of Business Travel

The article looks at a number of ways business travel can be beneficial, including exploring new places, escaping a routine, and meeting new people. At the start of the class, hold a brief discussion about what the students thought about the article. What do they think about the issues raised in the article? Do they agree with what was written? Can they think of any ways they might add to the content of the article?

Video activity To save time in class, the English teacher can ask the students to watch the video below at home. In the class, the students will answer a number of conversation questions directly or indirectly related to the content of the video.

The video for this class, by Mr Porter, is called “How to Pack for a Business Trip” which looks at the essentials needed for a business trip and how to avoid creases in your clothes.

IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES

The focus in the class is on conversation in order to help improve students’ fluency and confidence when speaking in English as well as boosting their vocabulary.

This lesson opens with a short discussion about the article the students read before the class. Next, the students can give their opinion on the quote at the beginning of the lesson plan – what they think the quote means, if they agree with it and how it could relate to business. This is followed by an initial discussion on the topic including how often the students have to travel for work purposes, common reasons why people take business trips, and any negative experiences they have had while travelling for work.

After this, students will learn some vocabulary connected with business travel such as red-eye flight , jetlag and travel expenses . The vocabulary is accompanied by a cloze activity and a speaking activity to test the students’ comprehension of these words.

If the students didn’t watch the video before the class, they can watch it after the vocabulary section and answer the conversation questions. Before the conversation, ask the students to give a brief summary of the video and what they thought about the content.

Finally, there is a more in-depth conversation about business travel. In this speaking activity, students will talk about issues such as problems people can encounter at the airport, what to consider when booking a hotel, and whether they would apply for a job specifically because it involved a lot of travel.

After the class, students will write a memo to memo to staff members explaining the company’s travel expenses policy. The writing activity is designed to allow students to practise business-style writing as well as improving their grammar with the feedback from their teacher.

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10 business travel questions asked the most

If you’re an office manager, executive assistant, or you’ve somehow become responsible for organising business trips for your team, it's probably not the only thing on your plate. Business travel planning isn't easy, and you're likely to get asked plenty of repetitive (and perhaps even frustrating) questions.

Here's a list of frequently asked traveller questions (and a cheat sheet with quick and easy answers so you can get hours back in your day!)

1. How do I book a flight/hotel/car rental for my upcoming trip, or can you do it for me?

Booking travel is easier/faster/more cost-efficient if you use Melon. You can find everything you’re looking for in one place, and book your flights, hotel, and car rental in minutes. Plus, it’s super user-friendly and already has your profile loaded!

Or, if your itinerary is really complicated, you can contact our dedicated travel consultant at Corporate Traveller.

2. What are the best travel options for my budget and preferences?

If you haven’t read it, our travel policy is loaded into Melon. It outlines what you can and can’t book. It should answer a lot of your business travel questions. You can choose to book yourself online with Melon, and it’ll flag if you are out of policy. Check it out and see what options are available!

Also, our dedicated travel consultant at Corporate Traveller knows what is allowed, so if you run into any trouble or your trip is more complicated, they’ll let you know if you’re out of policy.

3. Are there any travel restrictions or visa requirements for the destination I'm planning to visit?

Great question! This information is really easy to find in Melon. If your trip is more complex and you’re visiting several countries, our team at Corporate Traveller will advise you.

4. Sorry to call you at midnight but I’m in Europe and my flight just got cancelled. What do I do?

That’s a bummer! Luckily, we have a 24/7 line for Corporate Traveller. The emergency contact number is on your itinerary and their after-hours team are travel experts who will sort you out ASAP. They might even have been alerted about your trip already. Ok, I’m going back to bed.

5. Are there any corporate discounts or negotiated rates available?

Yep, because we book everything through Corporate Traveller, we get access to discounted airfares with certain airlines, and we’ve also been able to negotiate special rates at certain hotel chains. We have access to Melon Exclusive deals, which gives us certain perks at some hotels like free breakfast, Wi-Fi, or even a late check-out if you need. Pro tip…when breakfast is included, your subsistence allowance goes further for lunch and dinner. 😉

6. Can you help arrange a group meeting? And we also have to start planning the next quarterly conference. Can you help with that?

Yep, the team at CT can manage this one for us too. If you send me the list of everyone who needs to be there and the dates of the meetings, I’ll get them to take care of it. Or actually, just send that info directly to Corporate Traveller and copy me in. Even better!

7. How can I ensure traveller safety and security during the trip?

Regardless of how you book your trip, we’ll be able to monitor you if something drastic happens in the world. If we need it, we’ll be alerted to where everyone is easily through the risk management tool in Melon. It shows us a dashboard of where everyone is and how we can easily get in touch.

8. What about my frequent flyer programme? I want to make sure I get my points.

Yep, you’ll still get points when you book through Corporate Traveller. In fact, if you set up your travel profile properly, they’ll have all your details on hand already. They’ll also know your preferences too – like whether you prefer the aisle or window seat.

9. Can you recommend any travel apps or tools for better travel management?

You bet! The Melon mobile app makes it super easy to book travel on the go. You can also easily access your travel itinerary, chat with an expert, and a lot more. Make sure to download it before you go!

10. What about my---

Don’t worry! There isn’t an answer we can’t find. Most information is easily accessible in Melon, on our travel policy, and if you’re still stuck, reach out to our dedicated travel consultant! No need to stress. They’ve managed all sorts of travel hiccups including missed and delayed flights, weather disruptions, lost luggage, global pandemics, and a whole lot more.

For 30 years, Corporate Traveller has been lightening the load of travel management for executive assistants, travel bookers, administrative staff, and more.

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What Is Business Travel? Importance and Types

Business travel has always been an integral part of the corporate world. It provides opportunities to meet clients face-to-face, attend conferences and networking events, and explore new markets.

However, as much as business travel can be exciting, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. From flight delays and cancellations to tracking approvals and keeping spending in check, numerous obstacles can make business travel stressful and overwhelming.

In this blog, we will explore the challenges and solutions of business travel and provide insights on how businesses can optimize their policies and practices to make them more efficient, cost-effective, and enjoyable for everyone involved.

What is Business Travel?

Millions of professionals worldwide engage in business travel each year. Business travel is when you hit the road or take to the skies for work-related purposes. So, if you've ever traveled across state lines for a meeting or hopped on a plane for a conference, you've been on a business trip.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics , Americans take over 400 million long-distance business trips yearly, accounting for roughly 16% of all long-distance travel.

What is the Importance of Business Travel?

It's clear that business travel is a significant part of many companies' operations, but what motivates them to send their employees on these journeys? There are several reasons why companies invest in business travel. Here are some of them:

1. Closing Deals

Business deals often involve significant negotiation, and in-person meetings can be critical to reaching an agreement. When people meet in person, they can build trust and establish personal connections that are difficult to achieve through virtual communication. As such, closing deals in person is a common reason for business travel.

2. Exploring New Markets

Companies looking to expand into new markets often send representatives to explore the conditions on the ground and conduct research. Visiting a new market can provide valuable insights into consumer behavior, local regulations, and cultural norms that can help companies tailor their products and services to a new audience.

3. Building Relationships

One of the primary advantages of business travel is its opportunity to build stronger relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues. While email, phone, and video conferencing are convenient, nothing beats face-to-face interactions regarding establishing trust and rapport.

You can pick up on nonverbal cues during in-person meetings and establish a more personal connection. It can lead to a deeper understanding of the other person's needs and goals, which can ultimately help you provide better service or products. Additionally, in-person meetings can help address any concerns or issues more quickly and efficiently, preventing them from becoming more significant problems down the line.

4. Networking

Attending industry events, trade shows, and conferences can provide networking opportunities, learning about new trends, and meeting potential clients and partners.

Networking can be invaluable for building relationships, finding new clients or partners, and staying up-to-date with industry best practices. For example, attending a trade show can provide opportunities to showcase your products or services, meet potential clients, and learn about the latest market trends.

5. Competitive Advantage

Companies prioritizing business travel and investing in face-to-face meetings with clients and partners can gain a competitive advantage over those relying solely on digital communication. By meeting with clients and partners in person, companies can establish more personal connections and build trust, leading to more business opportunities and revenue.

Here's a business travel checklist to make business travel for your employees less stressful.

Different Types of Business Travel

Business travel can take many forms, depending on the purpose of the trip and the activities involved. Here are some of the most common types of business travel:

Event and Conference Travel: Companies often send employees to corporate events and conferences where attendees can learn and network with peers, potential clients, and service providers.
Training and Education: Companies may send employees to conferences and workshops to learn about trends and best practices in their functional areas. These events can provide valuable opportunities for professional development and networking, helping employees stay up-to-date on the latest industry developments and build relationships with others in their field.
Internal Meetings and Visiting Offices: National and multinational companies may need to send employees and leadership to other offices to discuss specific projects and business strategies or to build a more integrated organizational culture.
Company Retreats: Some companies hold retreats annually or multiple times yearly to help teams grow stronger and build company culture through shared activities.
Client Meetings: Maintaining solid relationships with existing clients is crucial for many businesses. Account managers and others may regularly visit their most prominent clients to check in on them, take them out for a meal or drink, and generally show gratitude for their business. These visits can strengthen relationships and potentially lead to additional business.
Trade Fairs: Many organizations attend trade shows and expos to display their products and services and connect with potential clients. Attending these events can effectively generate leads and build relationships with potential customers, especially in industries where face-to-face interactions are critical.
Transfers and Offshore Work: Long-term transfers involve relocating employees to a different city or country for a certain period, usually to work on a specific project or set up a new function or business process.
Transient Travel: Business transient travelers typically refer to individuals who frequently travel for short periods, often for a business meeting or work-related. These travelers usually stay in hotels or temporary accommodations and frequently move between locations for work or other activities.
Bleisure Travel: This hybrid travel style combines business and leisure travel, allowing employees to extend their business trips to leave time for sightseeing and relaxation. Bleisure travel can benefit employers and employees, encouraging employees to volunteer for business trips more often and providing a relaxing break.

Top Challenges To Manage Business Travel

As many businesses need help managing company travel, several issues affect day-to-day operations. These include:

1. Managing Large Numbers of Requests

When managing large numbers of travel requests, keeping track of all the information and ensuring that requests are processed efficiently can be challenging. It can result in delays and frustration for employees waiting for travel approvals or information.

For example, imagine a small company with just one finance person responsible for managing all travel requests. They receive requests from various team members in different formats—email, Slack messages, and in-person visits. It can lead to confusion and delays in processing the requests and distract the finance person from other essential tasks.

2. Tracking Approvals

It's a massive headache if your company's travel approvals are manually emailed. Tracking travel approvals can be time-consuming and prone to errors. It can result in missed approvals, delayed travel, and frustration for employees waiting for approval.

Imagine a team member submits a travel request, and the finance person then sends an email to the manager for approval. If the manager is busy or forgets to respond, the request may be delayed or even missed altogether, causing frustration for the employee who is scheduled to travel.

3. Keeping Spending in Check

Managing travel costs can be difficult, especially when employees book trips independently or through different channels. It can result in overspending and frustration for finance teams who aim to keep costs under control.

For example, imagine a company where employees book travel through different channels. Some employees book expensive hotels and flights, while others find cheaper options on discount travel websites. It can lead to inconsistency in travel costs and make it difficult for the finance team to manage and budget travel expenses.

4. Being Flexible

Flexible travel policies can result in consistency, especially when balancing cost control with employee satisfaction. It can result in frustration for both employees and finance teams.

For example, a business with restrictive travel policies can limit employees to specific airlines, hotels, and routes. It may help control costs, restrict employee options, and make travel less enjoyable. On the other hand, if policies are flexible, employees may book expensive options outside the budget.

5. Reducing Errors

Reducing errors in travel management can be challenging, but it is essential to ensure accurate tracking of expenses and approvals. This can help prevent delays and frustration for employees and finance teams.

How Companies Can Manage Business Travel

Companies must make the process straightforward to ensure that team members comply with travel policies. If the process is simple, team members will find ways to circumvent the rules, and compliance will improve. The following are some common pitfalls to avoid:

Too many rules: Too many, incredibly confusing or contradictory, can be overwhelming and frustrating for team members. It can lead to non-compliance or errors.
A high number of touches: Too many touchpoints, like requiring additional emails to managers for approval, can slow down the process and make it difficult.
Lots of manual steps: Requiring team members to file printed documents and receipts can be time-consuming and create opportunities for errors.
Unclear processes: If team members are unsure of the steps or rules they must follow, they may become frustrated and disengage from the process.

To ensure compliance and simplify the process, use a corporate travel management system that walks employees through each step. By automating the process and making it easy and intuitive, team members are more likely to follow the rules and comply with company policies.

What is a Business Travel Solution?

A travel management system is a software platform that helps companies manage their employees' travel-related activities and expenses. These systems can be purpose-built tools from third parties or developed in-house by large companies. However, building a travel management system from scratch doesn't make sense with the availability of corporate travel management tools out of the box for a relatively low cost.

These systems aim to oversee, regulate, and coordinate a company's employees' travel activities and expenses. Previously, a company's office administrators or a dedicated travel manager would handle these tasks. However, with a travel management system, these manual tasks can be streamlined or automated, freeing up staff for more valuable work than monitoring others' travel plans.

A business travel solution typically offers features such as online booking, expense tracking, policy compliance, travel budgeting, and reporting. They make booking, managing, and tracking business travel much simpler and more efficient for companies and their employees.

As a business, it's essential to recognize the value of investing in business travel. There are numerous reasons why companies send their employees on these trips, including closing deals, exploring new markets, holding internal meetings, prospecting, educating, and visiting existing clients. These opportunities provide valuable experiences and insights to enhance your company's operations and bottom line.

However, managing business travel can present challenges, such as managing large requests, tracking approvals, and dealing with changes in travel plans. To address these challenges, it's crucial to have a straightforward and streamlined travel policy outlining the process for requesting, approving, and booking travel and any expense and reimbursement policies.

Another essential aspect of managing business travel is providing support and resources to employees while on the road. It includes ensuring they have the necessary technology and tools to stay connected and productive, providing guidance on safety and security, and offering access to travel support services in emergencies.

By recognizing the importance of business travel and implementing strategies to manage it effectively, your company can reap the benefits of enhanced collaboration, improved relationships with clients and partners, and increased opportunities for growth and success.

So let your employees stay connected, build relationships and enjoy their next business trip!

John Hunter

John is the Senior Manager of Event Cloud Content Marketing at Cvent. He has 11 years of experience writing about the meetings and events industry. John also has extensive copywriting experience across diverse industries, including broadcast television, retail advertising, associations, higher education, and corporate PR.

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105 Business Trip Vocabulary Words and Phrases

If you’re an English learner who will be taking international business trips, having the right vocabulary is crucial. Learn the words and phrases in this guide to make you feel more confident speaking English, no matter where your work takes you.

These business trip vocabulary terms can help you with getting to your destination, participating in business meetings and dining with your coworkers or clients, and more.

Useful Business Trip Vocabulary

Traveling by air , getting around in a new city , at the hotel, in business meetings, at business meals, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

These vocabulary words and phrases will likely come in handy on your next business trip.

Here are some useful terms for traveling by plane for your business trip:

When you arrive at your destination, you’ll have to find your way from the airport to the hotel or business venue (meeting place).

You’ll also have to figure out the most convenient mode of transportation : taxis, train, subway, bus, Uber, etc. Speak to locals or to your coworkers who live there and ask them for recommendations.

Here are some example questions you can use to help you get around a new city:

It’s likely your company has made a hotel reservation (booking) for you ahead of your business trip.

Here are some example phrases that might be useful when talking to the receptionist at the hotel:

Of course, the most important part of your trip is the time when you’ll be discussing business and accomplishing your professional goals.

In order to be successful, you’ll need to know some key vocabulary for business meetings .

Lunches and dinners play an important part in making business deals, building business relationships and celebrating partnerships.

Whether you’re attending or hosting a business meal, it’s important to know how to handle the basics of dining with your business partners.

If you pack this vocabulary guide, you won’t be caught speechless when you travel for work.

Good luck with your future business trips!

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

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FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

learn-conversational-english-with-interactive-captioned-dialogue

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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A selection of business English discussion questions.

Business Topics

Advertising , Brands , Building Relationships , Change , Communication , Competition , Consultants , Crisis Management , Cultures , Customer Service , Employment Trends , Ethics , First Impressions , Human Resources , International Marketing , International Markets , Job Satisfaction , Leadership , Management Styles , Marketing , Mergers and Acquisitions , Money , New Business , Online Business , Organisation , Project Management , Raising Finance , Risk , Strategy , Success , Team Building , Training , Travel .

Grammar Topics

Present Simple , Present Continuous , Present Perfect , Present Perfect Continuous , Past Simple , Past Continuous , Used to , Have to , Going to / Pres. Continuous , Going to / Will , Comparatives , Superlatives , First Conditional , Second Conditional , Third Conditional , Mixed Conditionals , Should , Should have , Can , Could , Can / Could / Be able to , Is done / Was done , Being done / Been done .

How to use the travel ESL discussion questions

It is recommended that you download the travel ESL discussion questions in PDF format using one of the links above. The best way to encourage classroom interaction is to download and print the travel discussion questions in the 'pairs' or 'threes' PDF format and then divide the questions by cutting along the dotted lines. This allows students to take turns asking and answering the travel discussion questions in groups of two or three. Alternatively, you could use the 'cards' format to distribute the questions to any number of students to ask and share.

It is advisable to prepare students for using these discussion questions by first introducing them to the topic of travel in an interesting and engaging way. An anecdote, quiz question or a related image or video could all be used to achieve this. Depending on the level, it may also be necessary to pre-teach any challenging vocabulary related to travel contained in the discussion questions.

For more ESL discussion questions, see this site's main page. There are discussion questions on a range of topics including general, grammar and business English topics.

For further information about the site and its author, see the about page.

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Top tips on how to plan a business trip

Follow these 6 steps for an effective business trip:

Make your travel arrangements well in advance
Select your accommodation based on both price and convenience
Create an itinerary

Research your destination

Remember your electronics, accessories and travel documents
Prepare for your meeting

In today’s digital world, we can communicate across different time zones at a moment’s notice. However, when it comes to brokering a big deal or fostering a solid and long-lasting business relationship, nothing beats face-to-face interaction.

Corporate travel is still so important, and it’s equally important for anyone making a business trip to prepare thoroughly. When you arrive at your destination relaxed and well-prepared, you’re better equipped to make a good impression and focus on the purpose of your meeting. Preparation lets your mind focus on the here and now, making sure you stay on the ball in that all-important meeting. If you’d like to fine-tune how you get ready for your next excursion, follow these essential tips to become an effective business trip planner.

Make travel arrangements

Whether it’s your name on the travel documents or you’re a travel manager, planning business travel thoroughly is important. Your first step should always be to familiarize yourself with your company’s corporate travel policy . You’re making travel arrangements for a business trip, not planning a personal or a short break, so being compliant with your company policy is essential.

Next, it’s time to book your travel. This may involve traveling by air, rail, car hire or even boat. Think about the journey door-to-door, balancing travel times against cost and convenience. Visualize the various steps of the trip from A to B. Consider details like how long it will take to move between airport and railway station, the time it takes to fill out paperwork at the vehicle hire company, and whether luggage storage might be useful. Use multiple sources and different comparison sites, researching which companies are offering the best deals. Again, be aware of any budget restraints in your company’s travel policy.

Don’t forget the small details. Does the airplane have Wi-Fi so you can work on the move? Would leaving a day earlier allow you to arrive at your first meeting better rested and prepared? At this stage, the more carefully you prepare, the more confident and relaxed you’ll be when you depart.

Select your accommodation

Preparing business travel is, of course, only half the job. Choosing the best accommodation for your requirements is also essential. If you’ve only got one meeting place to reach, make sure you book a hotel that’s nearby – rather than be swayed by a more luxurious option that might be a stressful 45 minute trip away. Use maps on your smartphone to measure distances from the station or airport to your hotel – and remember the roads and transport networks will be busier at certain times of day.

Check your company’s hotel policies to see if there are any preferred hotels - you might be able to get a good deal too. When considering the cost, make sure you compare rates for similar types of accommodation and make sure you select something that’s fairly priced – some companies even stipulate a cost per day that would limit the choice of hotels.

It’s also a good idea to pay close attention to the amenities at the hotel. Some tourist-focused hotels may serve breakfast too late for your early starts, and as a business traveler you’re likely to want free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, plenty of power points for charging your devices. CWT Hotel Intel gives travelers access to trusted peer hotel reviews and can be a handy tool for business trip planners.

Create a detailed itinerary

Your itinerary is your blueprint for a successful business trip. Use it to stay in control of every detail – from transport times and the names of those you’re meeting, to your travel reservations and hotel address. Be sure to allow yourself extra time on your itinerary for relaxing, meetings that have been delayed or overrun, and busy traffic. Consider using a specially designed tool like the myCWT app , which syncs your itinerary with work calendars, and allows travelers to share this with colleagues. This is handy from a communication and efficiency perspective, and as a safety measure if you’re travelling to an unfamiliar destination.

It may be that you’re traveling to a destination you are familiar with and feel comfortable in. Or, you may be entering unchartered territory. If that’s the case, research is essential to avoid unnecessary risk. For example, some cities are well known for pick pockets, so you’ll need to be extra careful when storing important and expensive items like phones in your pockets. Depending on where you’re going, reading up on the current political situation at your destination could also be prudent.

Perhaps you’re traveling to a city or country with a different culture and customs to your own. Avoid looking foolish or, worse, causing offence, by researching the differences in behavior and manners before you arrive. For example, if you’re taking potential clients for a meal, do you know the etiquette on tipping, or when to give people your business cards? Or, if you’re visiting a country where English isn’t the common language, you could even learn a few basic phrases, such as greetings and “thank you”, which could make all the difference when making a good first impression.

Prepare your travel documents

Hours of careful preparation and research will all be wasted if you forget vital travel documents. Traveling between countries requires a current, valid passport, travel tickets and sometimes a visa. It’s key to research whether or not you need a visa as soon as possible, even if you are just transiting through a country, without stepping foot outside the airport. Some embassies can take a number of days or even weeks to issue visas. Even if you’re not traveling to a different country, you may need photo ID to clarify that your name corresponds to the one on the ticket - your passport or driving license are the best options so keep them safe at all times.

Remember your electronic accessories

Stay as productive as possible on your trip by taking a laptop or tablet – it’ll make your travel time really count. Remember to pack the relevant chargers and adapters, too. You can usually pick these up at the airport when you’re passing through, but being prepared is key and will save you time and money in the long run.

Get ready for your meeting

So you’ve followed all the right steps for planning a business trip, but what about your business objectives and the meeting itself? Making a note of what you hope to achieve on the trip can help improve your focus - even if you simply want to reach out to new contacts or gain a general overview of potential new client. Arm yourself with as much information as possible about the people you’ll meet, as well as the places they’ll be. What’s the dress code? If you’re visiting an industrial site, for example, will you need sturdy shoes? If you’re going to be giving a presentation, what format will it take and will your host have the equipment you need? Simply emailing ahead to check if they have suitable screens and cables can ensure you avoid embarrassing delays or confusion that would get your meeting off to an awkward start. That first impression counts so give yourself the best chance of making a good one.

By setting aside the time to prepare, conducting some detailed research and following these business travel tips, you can optimize your chances of a productive and enjoyable trip.

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Business trips

By David Riley and Simon Greenall

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A writing and speaking activity to talk about business trips.

Printable Worksheet
Up to 30 mins
Whole Class

Meg rivers cakes.

A pairwork activity to exchange information about a small business.

Management questions

A group or pairwork activity to think of advice for basic business problems.

A reading and speaking actvity to exchange information about business activities.

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Only registered users can comment on this article., more from business lesson plans.

Live from London: Business—Negotiations

By Pete Clements

Watch authentic London office workers describe the ways to conduct successful negotiations and the skills good negotiators need. Now Interactive!

Live from London: Business — Dress codes

Watch authentic London office workers giving advice on the best ways to dress to impress. Try the new Interactive Worksheets!

Live from London: Business — Emails

By Bryan Goodman-Stephens

Watch authentic London office workers explain how they use emails and phones to communicate in their companies. Now with Interactive Worksheets!

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More From Forbes

How to embrace local business trips in the future of work age.

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Allowing employees to collaborate across a network of places can address hybrid work issues

In the future, AI copilots, gig workers, and skills-based hiring will make work dynamics more distributed and less predictable. Organizations should help workers take hyper-local business trips to maximize opportunities in that new world.

This mobility could be changing desks to help a teammate or leaving the office opportunistically to meet a prospective client unexpectedly in town. The common thread is movement with purpose ; we know why we want to change locations.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus changed how we perceive the value of our offices entirely and has reduced workplace mobility for many workers exactly when we should be maximizing it.

Knowledge workers in lockdown found working from home surprisingly productive , and a dreaded commute was suddenly optional. While I won't debate office mandates like Amazon's , people clearly dislike being told to go to ineffective places for unclear reasons.

At the same time, assigned desks have become a hybrid negotiating tactic. With proper change management and improved hospitality, enabling choice between diverse (unassigned) office settings can offset the hassles of finding a seat. But employees who endured a commute to spend hours on video calls in a mediocre office are in no mood for extra steps.

Reduced mobility is connected to a perceived “return on commute,” where workers either stay home because it’s easier or commute and demand assigned seats.

To overcome this stagnation standoff, we should learn from two periods of purposeful mobility and choice bookending many careers: our college days and business trips.

NSA Tells iPhone And Android Users: Reboot Your Device Now

Trump vs. harris 2024 polls: trump up in 3 new surveys—harris leads in 2 others, today’s nyt mini crossword clues and answers for thursday, october 24, what we can learn from campus and corporate travel.

College students buzz around campus like bees sampling flowers, working in different places (e.g., dorm, library, quad) based on their assignments, schedules, or moods.

Students can work from a wide range of places on campus

Business travelers can select flight seats, hotel rooms, workspaces, and meeting locations based on personal preference. Company policies govern when and how lavishly to travel, but employees generally enjoy freedom while on the road.

These moments of movement are enjoyable because we have choices and are perceived as valuable due to their clear objectives. Conversely, an employee required to be in the office lacks autonomy, while one who commutes regularly to the same office (or desk) seldom travels with intention.

How can we embrace autonomy and purpose, ease the tensions between leaders and employees, and better prepare ourselves for the future of work?

The easier step is reimagining cities and offices as campuses with convenient, purposeful work settings. In the office, create zones for different needs and energy levels. Beyond the office, "third places" abound: cafés, hotels, gyms, restaurants, and even bank branches now promote themselves as workspaces.

Capital One Café in Miami, Florida

The more challenging step is creating a mindset of hyper-local business trips around this ecosystem of possibilities.

How Can Companies Enable Hyper-Local Business Trips?

Organizations must overcome several cultural, technical, and financial challenges to normalize workers' movement around these networks of workplaces with autonomy and minimal friction.

Manager Comfort

Many managers still rely on presence to measure productivity

A history of presenteeism makes it difficult for some managers to evaluate employees' productivity without physical observation. Some managers feel a loss of control when a direct report moves to a quiet area; watching them leave for a nearby coworking site is even worse.

All managers must learn to evaluate performance by outcomes (not presence) and foster a sense of trust. Return-to-office mandates are also antithetical to the local business trip mindset, which may be why it's more common to see coworking access as a benefit from remote-first companies.

Employee Expectations

When flights are canceled, frustrated business travelers expect employer support, like a 24/7 travel agency, but rarely hold them accountable. We may face similar operational challenges transitioning from company-operated offices to flexible spaces, but I have seen employees blame their employers for issues beyond their control. Workers should embrace self-sufficiency and understanding, but employers must provide greater support for third-party workplace experience.

Financial Management

Companies manage real estate and travel costs differently; real estate is slow-moving and centrally planned, whereas travel fluctuates with seasons and behaviors. Suppose a company decides to close an office with predictable rent and give employees pay-as-you-go access to third places. In that case, it will need revised expense policies and budget frameworks.

Want to test your company’s readiness for this change? Purchase a day pass to a coworking site within your home city and submit the expense for reimbursement.

Supporting Capabilities

Workers embracing hyper-local work trips require systems and services that facilitate autonomy and seamless mobility.

Occupancy sensors and wayfinding tools enhance mobility within office zones. Aggregator platforms for flexible workspaces guide employees to locations, help coordinate with colleagues, and manage expenses.

Mobile applications can help employees coordinate

Beyond the technology, Dropbox created an offsite planning teams (OPT) to facilitate employee gatherings as part of it’s Virtual First workplace strategy. In its first six months, the OPT organized over 70 offsites across the company, reducing its internal clients’ offsite planning time by 30%.

Planning A Local Business Trip Into The Future Of Work

Normalizing local workplace mobility—around town or even between desks within the office—is vital for collaborative velocity and organizational resiliency.

Providing employees with the right tools and cultural support allows them to thrive in diverse environments, resulting in a triple-bottom-line benefit :

Lower real estate costs (company)
Increased employee engagement (employee)
More vibrant neighborhoods (cities)

To get started on this journey, leaders everywhere should experiment by example. Swap the mundane commute for at least one purposeful, hyper-local business trip and mail a postcard to your peers about the experience.

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LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

Business trips.

Level: Elementary (A1-A2)

Type of English: Business English

Tags: business travel present perfect Grammar practice

Publication date: 08/04/2015

This business English version of our popular elementary worksheet I have been to ... introduces students to the present perfect form of the verb 'be'. The worksheet also recycles grammar from previous elementary lessons, e.g. 'going to' + infinitive.

Be the first to share your thoughts on this lesson

Attention, Passengers: Someone Is Skipping the Line at Your Gate

American Airlines is testing a technology platform that will produce a sound when a passenger attempts to board a flight ahead of the assigned group.

Passengers lining up at a gate to board a flight.

By Kate Christobek

Every airline traveler has been there. The boarding process begins, and the gate is swarmed with passengers before their zones have been called.

They’re popularly known as “ gate lice ” and, despite being shamed and mocked in popular culture, U.S. airports are still experiencing outbreaks.

Enter American Airlines, which recently announced that it is in the early phase of testing a new technology to help with these pesky critters. When a passenger attempts to board the plane early with the wrong group, the new system will give an “audible signal” to the gate agent, according to the airline.

The boarding passes of passengers who trigger the signal would not be accepted by agents, and those travelers would be sent back to board with their group, according to the airline.

The technology, which is in an early phase of testing, has been rolled out so far at Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico, Tucson International Airport in Arizona and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia.

“The new technology is designed to ensure customers receive the benefits of priority boarding with ease, and helps improve the boarding experience by providing greater visibility into boarding progress for our team,” American Airlines said in a statement.

Gary Leff, who has operated the travel website View from the Wing for the past 22 years, said he first learned of the program from a reader who had encountered the technology in Albuquerque. Since then, more readers have come forward to share their positive reactions, he said.

“People do think you ought to board in your assigned boarding groups,” Mr. Leff said. “Cutting a line is not consistent with the norms that folks tend to like.”

Travel experts believe that the noncompliant passengers are increasingly rampant because airline passengers who wish to secure valuable overhead bin space mark their territory as soon as possible.

“You’ve got a lot more line cutters today than you used to because there’s now a benefit from boarding early that there didn’t used to be,” said Scott Keyes, the founder of Going.com, a travel app that alerts people to cheap flights from their home airport.

The unruly passengers may have also become bolder recently because of the ever-increasing prices of checking bags, which incentivizes the use of carry-on baggage. Influencers and social media posts have also promoted tips for ease of boarding with earlier groups. Gate agents who hope to avoid unnecessary delays may also not closely enforce the correct boarding order by group.

Travel experts believe that the technology can serve as the bad cop and point out line cutters, rather than leave it to the gate agent alone. The signal may lead to less rule breaking and reduce confrontation for airline employees in helping passengers get to their gates.

“What I’m hoping is that this message gets out to the public and that those boarding lanes are not being clogged,” said Clint Henderson, managing editor at The Points Guy, a website dedicated to offering travel savings tips. “Frankly, a lot of people that are in that line know they are not supposed to be boarding early, and they know they can get away with it.”

American Airlines said it was pleased with the results so far, as were several passengers who took to social media to share their thoughts. One passenger on the social media platform Reddit said they “had fun witnessing sneaky passengers getting served embarrassing justice in front of everyone.”

Three other passengers kept their reaction short and sweet. “About time!” they said.

Kate Christobek is a reporter covering the civil and criminal cases against former president Donald J. Trump for The Times. More about Kate Christobek

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Tourism tax to start with air travel

Scheme sent to cabinet in January

PUBLISHED : 24 Oct 2024 at 05:03

NEWSPAPER SECTION: Business

WRITER: Narumon Kasemsuk

Arriving passengers queue for immigration counters at Suvarnabhumi airport. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Collection of the 300-baht travel tax may start with air passengers in the first phase, with the system needing at least six months before starting, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

The ministry is revising details of the programme and will submit it for cabinet approval in January, said Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong.

Even though this project was approved by the previous government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha in February 2023, it now requires a consensus from the new cabinet as the administration has changed since the general election.

Mr Sorawong said it is possible collection will start with air passengers, though the tax scheme will need six months after cabinet approval to prepare the system before getting started.

Once the system settles, the second phase covering overland travel will follow, he said.

According to the ministry, air travellers account for 70% of foreign arrivals to Thailand.

The transaction system has been prepared and is powered by Krungthai Bank.

Tourists can pay via a website or an app that is being developed for the next phase, said Mr Sorawong.

Payment would be similar to South Korea's K-ETA registration system, which requires foreign travellers to register and make an online payment before entering the country.

Once the government approves this project, the ministry will start a procurement process to recruit software developers and insurance companies to offer insurance policies for foreign tourists, he said.

The insurance premium for tourists is capped at no more than 60 baht per person, out of 300 baht collected.

The duration of protection is 30 days, as 87% of tourists have an average length of stay of no more than a month, with compensation remaining the same as previous Thai tourist policies, at 1 million baht in the event of death from an accident, and 500,000 baht in case of injury.

Mr Sorawong said the ministry might propose adjustment of the fee collection to 300 baht for all ports of entry to prevent accusations of discrimination, as the previous government set the land and sea arrival rate at only 150 baht.

According to the ministry's study, people who frequently cross borders for trade purposes will not be affected as they can use a border pass to be exempt from the levy.

300-baht travel tax

Tweaks needed for northern Thailand tourism project

Lisa blackpink 'in talks' for bangkok new year countdown show, samui tourism banking on tv show.

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88 Business Trip Quotes Wishes To Learn Core Of Business
88 Business Trip Quotes Wishes To Learn Core Of Business
7 Best Things To Do On Business Trip To Make The Most Of Your Trip
5 Key Things To Consider For Business Trip
How to Plan a Business Trip? 9 Essential Tips
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Trip
Разбор бизнес идеи организация авторских туров. Путешествуй и зарабывай от 1000 в месяц
The Final Business Trip
समय रहते शुरू करदो #motivation #businessideas #busniessideas #facts #2024 #shorts
Lonely Trip
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COMMENTS

Business Trip ESL Lesson Plan [Free PDF]
Contextual Usage. 1. We need to finalize the itinerary for the upcoming business trip before we book the flights. 2. The company covers accommodation expenses for employees traveling on official business. 3. Don't forget to submit your expense report along with all supporting receipts by the end of this week. 4. The client meeting has been rescheduled to next Tuesday at 10 AM.
600 Best ESL Conversation Questions on Talking about Business
ESL teachers can use these conversation questions to help students practice speaking and participating in discussions about business topics, including management, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. These questions are excellent for building vocabulary and boosting confidence in discussing business concepts and practices.
20+ Great Business English Topics and Lesson Activities
Learn how to practice business English situations with 20+ topics and activities based on videos. Topics include AirBnB, artificial intelligence, technology, and more.
Business trips: fun or boring?
WARM-UP & VIDEO. The lesson starts with a warm-up activity. Students answer a few general questions and talk about business trips. Then, they look at different activities (e.g. delivering or taking professional training, networking with other professionals, trying local food, etc.) and discuss which things they would find interesting to do on a business trip.
Going on a business trip: ESL/EFL Lesson Plan and Worksheet
In this business vocabulary lesson, students will learn words and phrases to talk about business trips. There are exercises on preparing for business trips, reasons to go and ways to talk about a business trip. The lesson ends with a speaking activity for students to talk about their personal experiences of business trips.
Business Travel: The Beginner's Guide
Learn what business travel is, how to book, prepare, and manage your expenses for work trips. This article covers the basics of business travel, from booking platforms and policies to bleisure options and common mistakes.
Top Business Travel Destinations and Cities of 2024
Business travel has long been an integral part of a company's success, and while the travel industry went through unprecedented challenges over the last several years, traveling for business is now back and stronger than ever.. In the United States (US) alone, roughly 1.3 million business trips happen every single day, and the average business traveler takes an average of 6.8 trips per year.
Business Travel
This Business English lesson plan on business travel has been designed for business professionals or other adults and young adults at an intermediate (B1/B2) to advanced (C1/C2) level and should last around 45 to 60 minutes for one student. People have travelled for business purposes since the emergence of commerce.
ESL Lesson Plans For Teachers Topic: Business Travel
Flying for business Intermediate (B1-B2) The theme of this worksheet is business travel. Students read a traveller's tips on how to handle a long-distance business trip. The lesson activities focus on vocabulary, comprehension and speaking.
20 business travel tips
Learn how to prepare, manage, and wrap up your business trips with these practical tips. From choosing accommodations and flights to packing smart and staying healthy, find out what you need to know for a smooth and successful corporate travel experience.
Business Conversation: 32 Business English Topics
Business conversations in English need their own unique vocabulary. Teach students how to talk about key areas of business with these 32 topics, which cover interviews, meetings, managers and more. Each topic comes with in-depth questions to kick off class discussions and get your students confident with speaking!
10 business travel questions asked the most
Business travel planning isn't easy, and you're likely to get asked plenty of repetitive (and perhaps even frustrating) questions. Here's a list of frequently asked traveller questions (and a cheat sheet with quick and easy answers so you can get hours back in your day!) 1. How do I book a flight/hotel/car rental for my upcoming trip, or can ...
Business travel etiquette: 10 essential tips to see you through
Doing business over Zoom or Teams is all well and good, but it's widely agreed that nothing seals the deal faster or helps build fruitful business relationships than making personal connections in person.. With corporate travel at home and overseas on the rebound - experts predict it may even reach pre-pandemic levels later this year - it's a perfect time to brush up on your work trip ...
What Is Business Travel? Importance and Types
Business travel is when you travel for work-related purposes, such as meeting clients, attending events, or exploring new markets. Learn why business travel is important, what types of business travel exist, and what challenges businesses face in managing it.
105 Business Trip Vocabulary Words and Phrases
Reviewing business trip vocabulary before traveling for work will help you feel more confident speaking English on your trip. These 105 words and phrases will help you navigate airports, new cities, business meetings and more. ... A list of topics or activities planned for a meeting. Business card: A small card with your contact details for ...
Travel: Business English Questions
Find out how to talk about business travel in English with these questions and topics. Download PDF handouts for speaking practice, discussion, debate and conversation.
15 Tips for Your Next Business Trip (Plus FAQ)
Learn how to prepare for a successful domestic or international business trip, from packing essentials to tracking expenses. Find answers to common questions about traveling for work, such as visa requirements, phone plans and etiquette.
Top tips on how to plan a business trip
Learn how to make travel arrangements, select accommodation, create an itinerary, research your destination, prepare your documents and get ready for your meeting. Follow these 6 steps for an effective and successful business trip with CWT.
Business trips
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How To Embrace Local Business Trips In The Future Of Work Age
In the future, AI copilots, gig workers, and skills-based hiring will make work dynamics more distributed and less predictable. Organizations should help workers take hyper-local business trips to ...
Business trips: ESL/EFL Lesson Plan and Worksheet
This business English version of our popular elementary worksheet I have been to ... introduces students to the present perfect form of the verb 'be'. ... Tags: business travel present perfect Grammar practice. Publication date: 08/04/2015 ... Topic A bit boring OK Interesting ...
Attention, Passengers: Someone Is Skipping the Line at Your Gate
The technology, which is in an early phase of testing, has been rolled out so far at Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico, Tucson International Airport in Arizona and Ronald Reagan ...
Tourism tax to start with air travel
Collection of the 300-baht travel tax may start with air passengers in the first phase, with the system needing at least six months before starting, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.