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There is more to English for work than vocabulary lists and imperatives. The author discusses the role of cultural differences in workplace communication. The article demonstrates the need for explicit teaching of workplace expectations and rules to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) learners. Good teaching practice advocates giving learners the tools to notice cultural differences in workplace communication. The Framework of Good Practice was published in 2012 by the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board. It points out that in workplaces there may be differing cultural understandings of how an industry operates. The framework suggests that good practice requires English as Second Language (ESL) teachers and vocational education and training (VET) trainers to explore these cultural differences during training and before work placement. The article explores how this good practice principle can be put into practice, and examines differing cultural expectations of workplaces and the communication that takes place within them.

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