Sitting under a banner reading, “Invest in your teaching career and give yourself the edge with an LCCI International Qualification,” professional teachers from all over China attended this four-day training in Xi’an. One of the central goals of the conference was to equip teaching professionals with the tools to prepare students to use Business English with international audiences. The event was a coordinated effort between LCCI China Market Development Center, the Ministry of Education Examination Center, Pearson LCCI Examinations Authority, Shaanxi University of Foreign Languages Teaching and Research University, and LCCI partner institutions Xi’an University of Electronic Science and Technology College of Foreign Languages. This was the second such meeting organized in China.

Over 70 attendees represented the following national institutions from all 12 provinces:Xi'an Jiaotong University、East China University of Political Science、Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology、Shanghai University、Shanghai University of Technology、Chengdu University、Hebei University、Zhengzhou University、Chongqing University、Guangxi Normal University、Yunnan Agricultural University、Jiamusi University、Shanghai Open University、Xi'an University of Technology、Ankang University、Xi'an Jiaotong University City College、Handan College、Huanghuai University、Shaanxi International Trade College、City College of Dalian University of Technology、Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology、Shaoxing University, Henan Science and Technology University、Xi'an Aviation Institute、Xi'an University of Arts、Northwestern University、Modern College、Longyan College、Xianyang Normal University、Xuzhou Engineering College、Yulin College、Zhejiang University、Ningbo Institute of Technology、Zhejiang Commercial Vocational and Technical College、Hefei Vocational College of Information Technology、Chengdu Vocational and Technical College、Fujian Institute of Technology、Xi'an 85 Middle School、EF Beijing、Beijing New Oriental 、Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology.

The conference kicked off at Xi’an University of Electronic Science and Technology with speeches made by a panel of distinguished representatives from China and abroad. Attendees learned about Business English in China and abroad and the significance of earning LCCI International Qualifications. The panel included NEEA LCCI Qualification Examinations Head Mr. Chen Ke; LCCI Pearson Asia Pacific Operations Director Mr. Mark Disney; LCCI Regional Development Manager Ms. Ju; LCCI China Market Development Center General Manager Ms. Yan Jie; and Xi’an University of Electronic Science and Technology Dean Mr. Yang Yue.

Attendees were personally welcomed by Xi’an University of Electronic Science and Technology’s Professor Gao Xinbo. Mr. Gao gave accolades to LCCI’s efforts; announced the recent opening of the Words of Foreign Languages Institute that the university opened in collaboration with LCCI; and expressed his hope that the university and LCCI could continue to work together in the future.

Mr. Chen Ke spoke about the legitimacy of the certification that attendees would be pursuing. Because the Xi’an Ministry of Education Examination Center is a British Overseas Chinese official partner institution, attendees would be earning an internationally recognized certificate. Next, Mr. Mark Disney spoke about the importance of Business English and gaining a well-recognized certificate such as LCCI IQ. Finally, Xi’an University of Electronic Science and Technology’s Dean, Mr Yang Yue, and LCCI’s Ms. Yan Jie welcomed everyone and wished them success on their tests and their careers.

Attendees of the conference started off running with a full day of lecture and discussion with Senior Training Specialist Mr. Evan Frendo. In his lectures, Frendo challenged teachers to think about their role as Business English teachers. He challenged them to become familiar with their students’ target discourse groups; learn the needs of their students, students’ managers, and employing company; and become familiar with the different styles of Business English, among other things. Attendees had excellent points to make and always stayed after each section of the lecture to ask Frendo questions.

To finish off the day, Frendo and National Taiwan Normal University Educational Evaluation and Development Research Center’s Chief Representative Mr. Zhang Youkang (Patrick Chang) gave brief summaries of their work and experience and opened the floor to questions after a presentation on Business English. Their presentations addressed these questions: 
What is Business English and why do we need it? 
How do different companies in different parts of the world work with Business English?
How do English teaching professionals develop their career in China?
Local businesspeople from Standard Chartered bank, Samsung, Emerson, Swisstouches Hotel, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Xi Yue Information, Australiant Associated Software and other well-known companies also attended this sharing forum. They offered perspectives on their businesses and careers and how Business English is used in their companies. They even turned the tables and asked participants questions about learning Business English.

After the second day of training, some conference attendees took advantage of a more intimate discussion forum at Courtyard Café in Xi’an’s Software Park Development Center. This English Salon left the floor open for a group discussion that anyone could contribute towards. Here, Frendo and Chang loosened their ties a bit to share even more professional secrets to achieving success with Business English. Many questions at the forum focused on improving language skills. Some suggestions that were given were: creating an English learning environment wherever you are; attending classes at Boya International Training School; pursuing LCCI IQ; and of course practice, practice, practice. The night ended with Chang demonstrating one of the tricks he used to perfect his English: singing songs. He lead everyone in a group sing-a-long to “You Are My Sunshine”.

On the final day of the conference, participants sat down to take the much-anticipated FTBE LCCI Business English Teaching Certification International Examination. We wish all of these bright teachers the best of luck in their careers and look forward to seeing them at future LCCI trainings.

Background:
FTBE (First Certificate for Teachers of Business English) is recognized by 126 countries and regions across the globe. FTBE is administered by one of the world's leading professional qualification certification bodies, LCCI (London Chamber of Commerce). Participants are required to have a solid foundation in Business English teaching prior to training and examination. The test covers business practices and business-specific lexicon. Successful candidates are awarded with an LCCI Business English Teacher Certification.

Processing of FTBE examinations is fast, efficient, and secure. LCCI protocol requires that all exams be sent to Chinese examination centers before being sent together to a UK examination center. Turnaround time for results is very fast.