At first glance the worlds of corporate and academic Business English Teaching seem far apart, but they have many aspects in common. Both are concerned with training students to take an active part in international business through attaining a good level of English language. Both have reason to aspire to high standards, although these reasons may be based on differing emphases.

Academic and corporate Business English Teaching have much to learn from each other. While those in the corporate world may believe that students on university management courses are in a world of ivory towers, this is certainly not the case at the University of Salford, which has been known since its establishment for pioneering links between the business community and its student population. While universities may have something to learn from general corporate training models, it is also true that the corporate world needs refreshment and reinvigoration from those who have time to stand back, and to reflect on just how business works.