How to Bring Business Studies to Life: Lessons from a Cambridge School in Zimbabwe
Business Studies is one of the most valuable subjects students can study. It develops commercial awareness, analytical thinking and decision-making skills that prepare learners for higher education, entrepreneurship and the workplace.
Yet for many teachers, one challenge remains the same: how do you move students beyond learning business theory to actually thinking like business leaders?
That was the focus of a recent webinar with Oakwood Academy, a Cambridge International School in Zimbabwe, where Principal Mlungisi Velempini and Business Teacher Jasper Nyaunga shared how they’re making Business Studies more engaging through experiential learning.
The Challenge of Teaching Business Studies
One of the biggest challenges in teaching Business Studies is helping students apply what they’ve learned.
Students may understand concepts such as marketing, finance, operations, and human resource management, but applying those concepts to real business situations requires a different set of skills.
Jasper explained that before introducing Evolution, his students were confident with the theory but often struggled when asked to evaluate business decisions or apply their knowledge to unfamiliar scenarios.
Traditional approaches such as essays and case studies certainly helped, but there was still a gap between understanding the content and using it effectively.
Turning Business Studies into Active Learning
To bridge the gap, Oakwood Academy introduced Evolution into its Business Studies lessons.
Instead of simply reading about business decisions, students became responsible for making them.
They set pricing strategies, managed finances, recruited employees, invested in marketing and experienced the consequences of every decision they made.
For Jasper, the impact was immediate.
“Everything changed, and my class was brought to life.”
Rather than passively receiving information, students became active participants in their own learning.
Helping Students Develop Real Business Skills
Business Studies isn’t just about preparing students for examinations.
It’s about developing skills they’ll use long after they leave school.
Throughout the webinar, both speakers highlighted how experiential learning helped students strengthen their ability to:
- Analyse business situations
- Evaluate different strategies
- Make informed decisions
- Work collaboratively
- Lead discussions
- Solve problems with confidence
These are skills that can be difficult to develop through traditional classroom activities alone.
By making decisions in a realistic business environment, students experienced first-hand how different areas of a business influence one another.
Marketing affected sales.
Investment decisions influenced growth.
Cash flow determined what was possible next.
Instead of treating each topic as a separate chapter in the syllabus, students began to understand how businesses operate as complete organisations.
Why Engagement Matters in Business Studies
Keeping students engaged has become increasingly challenging across education.
Today’s learners are used to interactive technology, immediate feedback, and active participation.
Principal Mlungisi Velempini believes that Business Studies should reflect this in reality.
He described simulation as giving students a safe environment to experiment, collaborate, and make mistakes without fear of failure.
Those moments of uncertainty – waiting to see whether a business decision succeeds or fails – often become the most memorable learning experiences.
Students aren’t simply completing classroom activities.
They’re emotionally invested in the outcome of their business.
Supporting Every Learner
Another benefit discussed during the webinar was how experiential learning supports different types of learners.
Some students naturally enjoy speaking in class, while others prefer to contribute in smaller groups or through practical activities.
Jasper found that quieter students became more engaged because everyone had a role in making decisions.
Working together encouraged discussion, built confidence and created opportunities for every learner to contribute.
Rather than asking students to memorise the “right” answer, lessons became collaborative conversations about why one strategy worked better than another.
A Different Role for Business Studies Teachers
Introducing technology into the classroom didn’t replace the teacher.
Instead, it changed the teacher’s role.
Rather than spending lessons delivering information from the front of the classroom, teachers become facilitators who could observe learning as it happened.
Jasper explained that Evolution allows him to monitor student progress during lessons and beyond, helping him identify where learners need additional guidance.
That means more time supporting individual students and less time repeating content the class has already understood.
Looking Beyond the Classroom
Oakwood Academy has been so encouraged by the results that it plans to expand its use of Evolution into future business programmes.
For Principal Velempini, the value extends beyond examination success.
He believes Business Studies should equip students with the confidence to become future entrepreneurs, business leaders and informed decision-makers.
Giving students opportunities to practise those skills before they leave school helps prepare them for whatever path they choose next.
Watch the Full Webinar
If you’re looking for new ideas to make your Business Studies lessons more engaging, practical and relevant, this webinar offers valuable insights from educators using experiential learning every day.
Hear directly from Principal Mlungisi Velempini and Business Teacher Jasper Nyaunga as they discuss what has worked, the challenges they’ve overcome and the advice they’d give to other Business Studies teachers considering a new approach.
Discover How Evolution Supports Business Studies
Evolution is used by schools, colleges, and universities around the world to help students develop practical business skills through active learning.
If you’d still like to explore how Evolution could support your Business Studies teaching, request a free demonstration and see how simulation can help bring business to life.
