- 1 -A Study of Culture Teaching in Business English Abstract: The application of cross-cultural communication theories to the teaching of business English in the context of Chinese universities should be conducted in such a way that students are able to learn that Chinese and Western cultures exist as different systems, and to understand the fundamental ideas governing the respective cultural entities. By comparison and analysis, business cultural differences are studied at the higher level of cultural thinking. Following the principle of equality, cross-cultural communication will function as a bridge in the exchange of Chinese and Western cultures. One of the major functions of the English language is to convey the culture of its speech community. Hence, the awareness of its business cultural characters will facilitate business English teaching against the Chinese cultural background.Key words: business English; culture teaching; suggestions1 IntroductionEnglish is the dominant language in international business activities and is becoming a very useful tool that every businessperson needs to obtain. The most important function of business English is to communicate. Effective communication will help people to achieve business goals. As we all know, English is the accepted medium for international business communication in business setting which concerns the aspect of cross-culture factors among business people from different cultural backgrounds. The underlying business culture is a “Western European or North American one” (John, 1996: 9) while there are various cultures worldwide. In addition, Trompenaar (1993) comments on cultural diversity in business and discusses seven dimensions of culture which he has found to be significant. Therefore, sensitivity to cultural issues and a better understanding of cultural differences are important when dealing with business English communication. However many business English courses focus on the language skills rather than the cultivation of the intercultural communicative competence and the students under this situation cannot meet the needs of the society. This study will research the business English teaching from an intercultural perspective.2 Business English and its teaching2.1 An introduce for business EnglishBusiness English is not a special language with a special grammar. It is simply the English - 2 -used in business context. At the first glance, business English may be understood by most of people as the words and expressions that professional people use when doing business. The business English vocabulary comprises of words from trade, finance, accounting, marketing, negotiation and correspondence etc. Business English is also regarded as a “mediating language between the technicalities of particular businesses and the language of the general public” (Pickett, 1989: 5).In the early 1970s, a business specialist vocabulary in English was seen to distinguish business English from general English. Business-related words and terminology intended to the one and only core in learning business English (Ellis Johnson, 1994: 1). Early text-books for business English were to present target specialized vocabulary in the context of a written text that deals with a particular topic. Exercises usually consist of vocabulary exercises, comprehension questions to the text and selected drill pattern practice.The trends in general English developments focusing on functional areas threw new light on business English teaching. A typical example of functional course for business English is very much likely to present the listening practice in business situation and to demonstrate the functional structures for business communication like telephoning, enquiring and confirming information, and making appointments etc.Business English is especially related to international trade. Many non-native English speakers study business English with the goal of doing business with English-speaking countries,or with companies located in non-native English-speaking areas but using English as shared second language or lingua franca. Business English means different things to different people. For some, it focuses on vocabulary and topics used in the worlds of business, trade, finance, and international relations. For others it refers to the communication skills used in the workplace, and focuses on the language and skills needed for typical business communication such as presentations, negotiations, meetings, small talk, socializing, correspondence, report writing, and so on(wikipedia, 2011).2.2 A review of business English teachingWith the increase of peoples understanding of English and its teaching and learning, the approaches to business English teaching flourished in the 1990s. Many aspects of business English and its instruction have been brought into detailed discussion and analysis. A number of - 3 -methods have been tested, combined in accordance with a need to develop the comm