7 Business Books to Read for English Learners
Professional reading for the curious language student.
In today’s increasingly connected world, being able to communicate in English is more important than ever for doing business. Whether you’re looking to expand your career prospects or grow your business, learning English can give you a significant advantage. A simple way to improve this skill is a comprehensive list of books to read.
Books on effective business communication, reading material on international business customs and understanding common colloquialisms can all help you to better connect with clients, colleagues and customers from around the world. With English as the language of business, learning it can open up a whole new world of opportunities.
By increasing your understanding of the English language and the global business world, you’ll be well-positioned to take your career or business to the next level.
In this blog, we will detail the 7 best business-related books for language students. This keeps you informed about your profession while supplementing your English studies. Keep reading for your comprehensive educational reading list.
5 Business Books to Read for English Students
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People is one of the most influential books to read. The book has sold millions of copies and has been translated into multiple languages. In the book, Carnegie shares his wisdom on how to build relationships and make friends.
He also provides insights on how to effectively communicate with others and how to influence their behaviour. Although the book was published over 80 years ago, its lessons are still relevant today. If you’re looking for a book that will teach you how to build lasting relationships, then How to Win Friends and Influence People is a must-read.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits, is one of the most popular books on habits and behaviour change. In the book, Clear lays out a simple framework for understanding and changing habits. He argues that habits are created by a cue, a routine, and a reward. The cue is the trigger that starts the habit (e.g., seeing a bag of chips), the routine is the actual behaviours that make up the habit (e.g., eating the chips), and the reward is what reinforces the behaviour (e.g., the pleasure of eating).
By understanding how habits are formed, we can then change them by altering one or more of these three components. For example, if we want to break the habit of smoking, we might substitute a different cue (e.g., going for a walk instead of having a cigarette) or reward (e.g., eating a piece of candy instead of smoking). Atomic Habits is an incredibly useful book for anyone interested in making lasting behaviour change.
The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss
2009 was the year that I finally decided to read The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss. I had seen people talk about it online for years, and it always sounded interesting, but I never got around to actually reading it. I’m glad I finally did because it’s an incredible book to read.
Ferriss’s central thesis is that traditional notions of work are outdated and that there are far more efficient ways to get things done. He breaks down his own work schedule and shares how he was able to reduce it to just four hours per week, while still maintaining a high level of productivity.
He also provides actionable advice for readers who want to do the same. The 4 Hour Work Week is an eye-opening book that completely changed the way I think about work. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend adding it to your list.
Zero to One by Peter Thiel
Thiel begins by positing the contention that wide-scale technological advancement has slowed to a crawl. Indeed, he argues, the progress witnessed over prior centuries has been moving from an agrarian society to an industrial one. Thiel believes that we now stand at the cusp of a new technological era. One defined by radical breakthroughs rather than incremental gains.
The challenges facing humanity today are far different from those of previous generations. We need to start thinking about technology in entirely new ways if we’re going to make further progress. To this end, he offers a series of studies on history’s most successful entrepreneurs, ranging from Bill Gates to Steve Jobs.
He also provides a framework for thinking about technology in the modern age and outlines his vision for the future. Overall, Zero to One is an insightful and thought-provoking book that challenges readers to think about technology in a whole new way.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
In the book Good to Great, Jim Collins sets out to answer the question of what separates mediocre companies from those that make the leap to becoming great. To do this, he and his team crunched data and conducted over 200 interviews with business leaders. What they found was that there is no single silver bullet for success. Rather, it takes a combination of factors. This includes having the right people in place, having a clear vision, and being disciplined in one’s execution.
While there are many books to read on how to run a business, Good to Great is unique in its focus. This book details what it takes to make the leap from mediocrity to greatness. As such, it is an essential read for business leaders who want to take their company to the next level.
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Never Split the Difference is a book about the art of negotiation, written by former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss. The book offers readers an inside look at the world of negotiation, sharing Voss’s secrets for success. One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of active listening. Voss advocates for what he calls “emotional intelligence” – the ability to read people and understand what they are really saying. He also emphasizes the importance of body language and nonverbal communication.
By understanding these concepts, readers can learn how to better negotiate in their personal and professional lives. Whether you’re negotiating a raise or a car purchase, Never Split the Difference will give you the skills to get the best possible outcome.
Deep Work by Cal Newport
There are few books that have had as profound an impact on my life as Deep Work by Cal Newport. In a culture where we are constantly bombarded with distractions, it is more important than ever to learn how to focus and achieve a flow state. This book provides readers with a blueprint for doing just that. Through a mix of research, personal anecdotes and case studies, Newport makes a compelling case for why deep work is essential in the modern world.
He also offers practical advice for developing deeper work habits, such as scheduling uninterrupted blocks of time for focused work and minimizing distractions. Overall, Deep Work is an actionable guide that has helped me to become more productive and fulfilled in my work. This is an essential book to read for business enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reading books is often recommended as a way to improve one’s English skills. And it is true that reading can help expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding of grammar. However, reading alone is not enough to make you fluent in English. To truly become proficient, you need to practice speaking and listening as well.
When you read aloud, you are effectively practising your pronunciation and enunciation. In addition, reading helps to build your vocabulary, giving you a larger range of words to choose from when you are speaking. And finally, reading can improve your overall communication skills by teaching you how to better express your thoughts and ideas.
The ability to read, write, and speak English clearly can make a big difference in whether or not you are able to communicate effectively with clients, co-workers, and customers. While there are many different ways to improve your Business English communication skills, one of the most effective is to simply read more. By reading on a regular basis, you will be exposed to a wide range of vocabulary and grammar structures.
While there are many ways to improve your professional English speaking skills, one of the most effective is also one of the simplest: reading. By reading aloud, you can improve your pronunciation and fluency, and become more familiar with common vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. In addition, reading helps to develop your comprehension skills, so that you can follow along even when someone is speaking quickly or using unfamiliar terms.
First, it is important to seek out opportunities to practice using business language. This can be done by attending workshops or training sessions, participating in online forums or discussion groups, or simply reading articles and books on business topics.
Second, it is also helpful to try to immerse yourself in the culture of English-speaking businesses. This means familiarizing yourself with common business practices and etiquette, as well as understanding the nuances of business communication.
Finally, it is also important to be patient and persistent when learning business English. Like any skill, it takes time and practice to become proficient.
If you’re looking to learn Business English fast, there are a few things you can do. First, try to find materials that are specifically geared towards Business English learners. These materials will often include authentic business documents and texts, as well as exercises and activities that are designed to help you learn the language quickly. Another great way to learn Business English fast is to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible.
While there is no substitute for real-world experience, it is certainly possible to learn business skills by reading books. business books can provide a comprehensive overview of various concepts and help readers to develop a deep understanding of the material. In addition, many business books are written by experienced professionals who can offer valuable insights and advice.
Anyone looking to improve their business English skills should start by reading high-quality, reputable books on the subject. A few well-regarded titles include “The Business Writer’s Handbook” by Gerald J. Alred and Charles T. Brusaw, “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr., and “The Chicago Manual of Style.”
In addition to reading specialized books, it can also be helpful to read general interest magazines and newspapers like The Economist or The Wall Street Journal, as they often contain articles that use sophisticated business language.
If you’re aiming for more specialized skills, such as giving presentations or writing business emails, there are also plenty of books and online resources that can help. For self-motivated learners, apps like LillyPad offer a convenient way to fit language learning into a busy schedule. And for those who prefer a more hands-on approach, there are plenty of opportunities to practice business English through volunteer work or internships.
Business English includes understanding and being able to use the specific vocabulary of various business domains such as marketing, finance, and human resources.
To build your Business English vocabulary, there are a number of resources you can use. Try reading articles or watching videos on business-related topics. Pay attention to the new words and phrases you encounter and look them up in a dictionary. You can also find lists of essential Business English vocabulary online, and study these words and phrases until you are confident using them.
The best book to learn Business English Intermediate level is “New Headway: Business English.” This book is designed for learners at an intermediate level of English. It covers all the essential areas of business, such as meetings, telephoning, presentations, and negotiations. The book also includes a section on grammar and vocabulary.
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Bethany MacDonald
Bethany MacDonald has contributed articles LillyPad.ai since 2020. As their Blog Lead, she specialises in informative pieces on culture, education, and language learning
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