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.
This course is part of the Business English for Non-Native Speakers Specialization
Offered By
Business English for Non-Native Speakers SpecializationThe Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
62%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
50%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 1 of 5 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 20 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic
Skills you will gain
GrammarBusiness CommunicationCommunicationWriting
Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
62%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
50%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 1 of 5 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 20 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic
Offered by
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.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1 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.
1 hour to complete
3 videos (Total 8 min), 4 readings
4 readings
Objectives and outcomes10m
Learning how to learn10m
Learning vocabulary10m
The HKUST English Grammar Guide10m
4 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.
4 hours to complete
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 quiz30m
Peer review practice30m
Module 230m
5 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.
5 hours to complete
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 practice30m
Peer review practice30m
Module 330m
4 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.
4 hours to complete
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 practice30m
Vocabulary practice30m
Module 430m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM BUSINESS ENGLISH: BASICS
by HSApr 26, 2017
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.
by NNJul 29, 2016
I recommend this course. It has been a great experience learning the basics of Business English. Very well paced, amazing context.
by VKJun 12, 2020
I like the course, but I must say I was confused by some test assignments, as I could not understand the logic in the questions.
by ASAug 25, 2018
The course could provide you, a helpful introduction to the general idea of necessary business communication.
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?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
- The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
- The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
