This course aims to improve your Business English language skills by developing your vocabulary and reading skills and your understanding of tone, style and knowledge of communication methods. We'll also cover how these language skills can enhance audience analysis, business case analysis and basic business communication strategies. Skills learned in this course will often be referred to and needed to complete the speaking, writing and cross-cultural communications courses of this Specialization.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- describe things and events in the context of Business English
- make requests in the context of Business English
- support arguments in the context of Business English
- use appropriate tone and style according to the context of Business English
- conduct an audience analysis
- match audience with the purpose and medium of communication
- analyse and summarise business data
This course is part of the Business English for Non-Native Speakers Specialization
Business English: Basics
Offered By
Business English for Non-Native Speakers SpecializationThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
About this Course
4.5
319 ratings
Skills you will gain
GrammarBusiness CommunicationCommunicationWriting
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
11 hour to complete
Welcome module
Welcome to Week 1! This week, we will cover Module 1 where we introduce you to the objectives and structure of this Specialization and course.
3 videos (Total 8 min), 4 readings
4 readings
Objectives and outcomes10m
Learning how to learn10m
Learning vocabulary10m
The HKUST English Grammar Guide10m
Week
25 hours to complete
Communication basics
Welcome to Week 2! This week we will cover Module 2 where we introduce you to basic communication and language skills you will use in general business situations. You will also be introduced to vocabulary and language skills common to business communications.
7 videos (Total 45 min), 7 readings, 4 quizzes
7 videos
Communication channels8m
Verbal & non-verbal communication8m
Describing things and events9m
Giving explanations4m
Role play: explanations2m
Challenging grammar: modals3m
7 readings
Objectives and outcomes10m
The Mehrabian Myth10m
Objectives and outcomes10m
Vocabulary list10m
Peer review practice: sample text10m
More on modals10m
What if? Using modals in conditional statements10m
3 practice exercises
Vocabulary quiz10m
Peer review practice10m
Module 230m
Week
37 hours to complete
Genres and styles
Welcome to Week 3! This week we will cover Module 3 where we will introduce you to common styles of English you will use for different spoken and written situations in general business situations. You will also be introduced to vocabulary and language skills common to business communications.
7 videos (Total 44 min), 6 readings, 5 quizzes
7 videos
Understanding genres7m
Introduction to tone and style7m
Formal and informal communication7m
Comparing and contrasting8m
Role play: comparing and contrasting2m
Challenging grammar: concern3m
6 readings
Objectives and outcomes10m
Directness of communication10m
Objectives and outcomes10m
Vocabulary list10m
Are you concerned?10m
Peer review practice: sample text10m
3 practice exercises
Vocabulary practice10m
Peer review practice6m
Module 330m
Week
44 hours to complete
Audience and purpose
Welcome to Week 4! This week we will cover Module 4 where we will introduce you to ways of identifying the purpose and audience for spoken and written documents in general business situations and how this can affect language use. You will also be introduced to vocabulary and language skills common to business communications.
7 videos (Total 35 min), 5 readings, 4 quizzes
7 videos
Conducting an audience analysis4m
Defining purpose for spoken and written communication4m
Matching purpose, audience, medium, tone & style7m
Making polite requests6m
Role play: making requests2m
Challenging grammar: relative clauses3m
5 readings
Objectives and outcomes10m
Peer review practice: sample pitch and text10m
Objectives and outcomes10m
Vocabulary list10m
More on relative clauses10m
3 practice exercises
Peer-review practice6m
Vocabulary practice10m
Module 430m
Week
55 hours to complete
Analyzing business cases
Welcome to Week 5! This week we will cover Module 5 where we will introduce you to ways of analyzing business cases and strategies for critical reading. You will also be introduced to vocabulary and language skills common to business communications.
5 videos (Total 28 min), 8 readings, 4 quizzes
5 videos
Strategies for critical reading7m
Supporting arguments8m
Role play: supporting arguments2m
Challenging grammar: quantifiers3m
8 readings
Objectives and outcomes10m
Strategies for critical reading10m
Business case: Renewable energy and the hotel industry10m
Objectives and outcomes10m
Vocabulary10m
A few or a little?10m
More on quantifiers10m
Peer-review practice: sample text10m
3 practice exercises
Vocabulary practice10m
Peer-review practice12m
Module 530m
Week
62 hours to complete
Concluding module
Welcome to Week 6! This week we will cover Module 6 where we will conclude the course and you will need to complete the final exam and post-course survey.
1 reading, 1 quiz
1 reading
Post course survey10m
1 practice exercise
Final exam40m
4.5
67 Reviews43%
started a new career after completing these courses
57%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
50%
got a pay increase or promotion
Top Reviews
Thank you very much. It was very useful course and lecturers provided very insightful information. I look forward to participate at your next course. All the best.
I recommend this course. It has been a great experience learning the basics of Business English.\n\nVery well paced, amazing context.
Instructors
Kin Tang
InstructorCenter for Language Education
Delian Gaskell
InstructorCenter for Language Education
Sean McMinn
Senior InstructorCenter for Language Education
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
HKUST - A dynamic, international research university, in relentless pursuit of excellence, leading the advance of science and technology, and educating the new generation of front-runners for Asia and the world.
About the Business English for Non-Native Speakers Specialization
This Specialization will introduce non-native speakers of English to methods for developing English language and communication skills for the workplace, doing business, cross-cultural understanding, and business case study analysis. You'll apply these skills in the final Capstone Project by analysing a current business case study and providing recommendations to a target audience in both presentation and written formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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