News from the Business English SIG

IATEFL BESIG fireside chat: Report from our first travel grant winners

Join us on Tuesday, 24 March from 18.00 – 19.00 UK time for a relaxed online chat about the IATEFL BESIG travel grant initiative and meet Andreas Hövener and Kate Boron, our first two recipients of this award. They will share their experiences on their journeys to the 14th ELT Malta Conference and 42nd ETAS Annual Conference, respectively. You will find out how our travel grant supports members to travel to international conferences while expanding their professional networks and gaining fresh inspiration for their work.

In addition to learning about the personal experiences of our winners, you will find out what the requirements for a grant are and how you can apply as well as plans for future grants. Grab a beverage of your choice, settle in, and join us for an engaging discussion about opportunity, growth, and the power of our business English community. Follow this link to join

The Break Room

As usual, we will be holding our informal IATEFL BESIG Break Room on the last Wednesday of the month. Come along on 25 March 2026 18.00 – 19.00 (UK time). This is a great opportunity to catch up with IATEFL BESIG members as well others interested in business English. Use this link to join us in the Break Room

April Online Workshop

Please join us on Saturday, 11 April 2026 from 13.00 to 15.00 (UK time) for the workshop ‘Designing an AI Module for University Students: Lessons from 2023 and a Roadmap to 2026’.

As AI is here to stay, it is shaping how university students, learn, write, and think. The latest research shows that AI-powered tools can enhance EFL learners’ motivation, engagement, confidence, and self-reflection when integrated into higher education contexts.

This practical workshop will look at an AI module for first-year EFL students at a Japanese university when first piloted in 2023. Participants will see the structure of the module: AI literacy basics, prompt writing, ethical use, and a project-based task. There will be reflections on what worked well and what did not, as well as the speaker’s experience of implementing the module. Further information will cover how such a module should look in 2026, and a short AI curriculum will be provided. 

Prateek Sharma is the FL/SE Course Coordinator and Senior Lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, Japan, and serves as President of the Intercultural Awareness in Language Education SIG within the JALT organization. He has taught university in India and Japan for 15 years, working with diverse learners. His research interests include AI in education, intercultural competence, educational leadership, and mindfulness. He focuses on designing innovative, future-ready curricula that balance emerging technologies with reflective practices and overall teacher-learner wellbeing. 

Click here for more information and to register.

May Webinar

On Saturday, 8 May 2026 from 15.00 – 16.00 (UK time) we will be holding a webinar called ‘AI-Driven Employability: Preparing Learners for Tomorrow’s Workplace’. 

In a rapidly evolving global workplace, employability demands more than technical proficiency. Therefore, educators need to build learners’ capacity in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and adaptability – skills that define success in modern professional contexts. This webinar explores how AI and educational technologies can transform the teaching of Business English and employability skills, equipping learners to navigate the complexities of contemporary work environments.

The session will include practical, classroom-tested strategies for integrating AI tools, digital platforms, and learner-centred approaches to enhance professional communication, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities. Participants will examine how thoughtfully designed assessments, project-based tasks, and personalised learning pathways can strengthen learner autonomy and workplace readiness using real-world training-experience, concrete examples, and adaptable techniques in order to prepare learners for the demands of tomorrow’s workforce.

P. Sathish Kumar is a senior English language educator and trainer with over 29 years of experience in Business English, professional communication, and employability skills development and has designed and delivered training programmes across India. His work focuses on integrating AI, EdTech, and learner-centred methodologies to enhance workplace readiness and communication competence. Renowned for his practical, research-informed approach, he continues to support educators in developing future-ready learners.For more information and registration, click this link.

IATEFL BESIG Showcase:

We are delighted to announce our IATEFL BESIG Showcase which will take place on Tuesday, 21 April 2026 at the annual IATEFL Conference in Brighton in Meeting Room 1A. We have a great day planned for you and will be offering an Open Forum at the end so that you can find out more about the SIG. You will also have the opportunity to meet our 2026 IATEFL BESIG Facilitator Scholarship winner, Tetiana Lesyk, who is presenting in the fifth slot of the day. Hope to see you there!

Committee News

We are delighted to announce that Alexia Schemien has taken on the position of our Conference Events Coordinator. Alexia is already hard at work on future events. Welcome to the team, and congratulations to Alexia!