In today’s global workplace, effective communication is a key skill—and being confident in your spoken and written business English can make all the difference. Whether you’re preparing for client meetings, writing reports, or sending emails, polished communication builds trust and credibility. Here are some practical tips to help you level up your business English, both spoken and written.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
1. Expand Your Business Vocabulary
Familiarize yourself with industry-specific terminology and commonly used business phrases. Instead of learning random words, focus on language that is actually used in your field. The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Harvard Business Review– These sources are rich in business-specific vocabulary.
Practical tip:
Create a “Business English Vocabulary List” in a notebook or app like Notion. Add useful phrases like:
- “I’d like to follow up on…”
- “Let’s circle back to this next week.”
- “Please find attached…”
Use these phrases regularly in emails and conversations to reinforce your learning.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
2. Practice Active Listening and Speaking
Strong spoken English starts with good listening. Listen carefully to how native speakers structure their thoughts and respond appropriately.
Practical tip:
- Watch TED Talks or business interviews on YouTube. Pause and repeat what the speaker says to improve pronunciation and intonation.
- Join virtual language exchange sessions or business English conversation groups (platforms like Meetup, Speak, or Tandem are great places to start).
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
3. Write with Clarity and Purpose
Business writing should be clear, concise, and purposeful. Avoid overly complex sentences or jargon that could confuse your reader.
Practical tip:
Use the “3 Cs” of business writing:
- Clear: Use direct language. Example: “Let’s schedule a meeting” instead of “It might be advisable to consider arranging a meeting.”
- Concise: Remove unnecessary words.
- Courteous: Keep the tone polite and professional, especially in emails.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
4. Master Common Email Formats and Etiquette
Emails are one of the most common forms of business communication. Knowing how to structure them professionally is essential.
Practical tip:
Follow this basic structure:
- Greeting – “Dear [Name],”
- Purpose of email – “I’m writing to inform you…”
- Details – Clear and relevant information
- Call to action – “Please let me know by Friday.”
- Closing – “Best regards, [Your Name]”
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
5. Read Business Content Regularly
Reading high-quality business materials helps you understand tone, vocabulary, and structure. It also keeps you up to date with industry trends.
Practical tip:
Read publications like Harvard Business Review, The Economist, or LinkedIn articles. Highlight phrases you find useful and try to use them in your next conversation or email.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
6. Get Feedback and Keep Improving
Improvement requires feedback. Whether you’re practicing with a mentor, teacher, or language partner, ask them to correct your mistakes.
Practical tip:
Use writing tools like Grammarly to check your grammar and tone. For speaking, try apps like ELSA or record yourself and listen back for areas to improve.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
7. Think in English
Translating from your native language slows you down and leads to awkward phrasing. Training your brain to think directly in English can drastically improve fluency and writing flow.
Practical tip:
Narrate your day in English. For example, while preparing coffee, say to yourself: “I’m reviewing my meeting notes before I join the Zoom call.” It builds comfort with real-world business expressions.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
8. Imitate Professional Models
Learn by copying high-quality examples. Mimicking the tone and style of strong business communicators can help you internalize effective patterns.
Practical tip:
Take a well-written email, LinkedIn post, or press release and rewrite it in your own words. Focus on structure, vocabulary, and tone.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
9. Use Voice and Dictation Tools
Speaking aloud regularly—even if it’s just to a voice assistant—boosts fluency and helps you identify pronunciation and pacing issues.
Practical tip:
Use tools like Google Docs voice typing or the speech-to-text feature on your phone. Dictate your ideas, then edit them into more formal written English.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
10. Keep a Business Journal
A regular writing habit is a powerful way to improve. Write short reflections, summaries of meetings, or thoughts about projects in English.
Practical tip:
Set aside 5–10 minutes a day to write about what you accomplished, what you learned, or what your goals are for tomorrow. Use business-style vocabulary.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
11. Practice Elevator Pitches
A quick, clear summary of what you or your company does is useful in many professional settings. Practicing this can boost both speaking and writing skills.
Practical tip:
Write a 60-second pitch and rehearse it aloud. Then refine it for use in emails, LinkedIn bios, or meetings. Practice adjusting it depending on your audience.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
12. Join Online Business English Communities
Interacting with others learning or using business English builds confidence and exposes you to varied communication styles.
Practical tip:
Join LinkedIn groups, Reddit communities (like r/EnglishLearning), or Facebook groups focused on business English. Ask questions, comment, and exchange tips.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
13. Record & Review Your Presentations
Self-recording is one of the fastest ways to improve both speech and delivery.
Practical tip:
Record a short summary of your weekly progress or a presentation you’re preparing. Play it back, and note areas for improvement—speed, clarity, filler words, etc.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
14. Understand Cultural Nuances
Business English isn’t just about language—it’s also about tone, politeness, and style, which can vary widely across cultures.
Practical tip:
Learn about indirect language, softeners (e.g., “perhaps,” “might we…”), and email tone. Reading sample cross-cultural business emails can help you adjust your tone appropriately.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
15. Use Templates (But Personalize Them)
Templates give structure and help you avoid common mistakes in written business communication.
Practical tip:
Keep a set of templates for common emails: meeting requests, follow-ups, project updates, etc. Use them as a base but always customize for your audience and context.
15 Practical Tips to Improve Your Spoken and Written Business English in Costa Rica
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, improving your business English isn’t about sounding perfect—it’s about being clear, confident, and professional. With regular practice and a few targeted strategies, you’ll be well on your way to communicating more effectively in the global workplace.
If you have a desire to improve your speaking and written business skills, we can help you. At Unlimited English, our certified native English professors are equipped to help you improve your Engish skills. If you are interested in getting more information, send us a message or fill out our newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you!
