About this course: The capstone project will give you opportunities to demonstrate your competence in the learning objectives for this Specialization. For the project, you’ll use formal, written methods and more casual visual and audio methods of communication to demonstrate your ability to use language appropriate for different business contexts. The goal of this course is to demonstrate competence in writing and presenting a plan using skills and language appropriate for business. Course Learning Objectives • Use appropriate vocabulary to write a mini business plan • Communicate a business plan orally in an organized and engaging presentation
Created by: University of Washington
Taught by: Richard Moore, Extension Lecturer, International & English Language Programs
UW Educational Outreach
| Basic Info | Course 5 of 5 in the Business English Communication Skills Specialization |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Commitment | 7 weeks of study, 3-5 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Week 1: Introduction to Capstone Project
In Week 1, we will review some of the content from previous Business English courses. We will also introduce what you need to do to finish the Capstone project.
2 videos, 4 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Video: Choosing a Product or Service
- Reading: Read Me: Capstone Expectations
- Reading: Read Me: Grading
- Reading: Three Seattle Startups
- Practice Quiz: Three Seattle Startups
- Reading: Websites: Choosing a Product or Service
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion: Milestone 1: Introduce Yourself, Your Product or Service
WEEK 2
Week 2: Describing Company and Product or Service
In Week 2, you will review how to describe a product or service, how to introduce yourself in networking, and complete a peer review assignment.
10 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Video: Example of Networking Introductions
- Practice Quiz: Networking Examples
- Reading: Useful Language
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion: Milestone 2: Describing your Company, Product, or Service
- Video: Video: Describing Your Job, Part 1
- Video: Video: Describing Your Job, Part 2
- Video: Video: Describing Services, Part 1
- Video: Video: Edgewater Hotel Interview
- Video: Video: Describing Services, Part 2
- Video: Video: Comparing Services, Part 1
- Video: Video: Comparing a Service Scenario
- Video: Video: Comparing Services, Part 2
Graded: Your Networking Introduction
WEEK 3
Week 3: Business Plans
In Week 3, we will review business plans and then introduce you to the concept of a mini-business plan for your final project.
4 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Video: Creating a Set of Presentation Slides for Capstone
- Reading: Resource: Examples of Mini-Business Plans I
- Reading: Resource: Outline of a Mini-Business Plan
- Reading: Resource: Other Information about Business Plans
- Discussion Prompt: Mini Business Plan Outline I
- Video: Video: Slides
- Video: Video: Giving Effective Presentations
Graded: Milestone 3: Presentation Slides
WEEK 4
Week 4: Marketing Ideas
In Week 4, you will go over marketing ideas financial vocabulary, and review lectures on making presentations.
10 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Video: Financial Information
- Reading: Resource: Basic Marketing and Financial Vocabulary
- Reading: Resource: Outline of a Mini-Business Plan II
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion: Milestone 4 Marketing, Price, and Investment
- Video: Video: Reporting Information
- Video: Video: Expressing Dollars and Cents
- Video: Describing Data
- Video: Video: Referring to Data and Visuals
- Video: Video: Introduce and Explain Relevance of Visuals
- Video: Challenges in Visual Descriptions
- Video: Using Large Numbers
- Video: Introduction to Trends
WEEK 5
Week 5: Being Persuasive
In Week 5, we will review lectures on being persuasive and you will complete a rough raft of your mini business plan.
10 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Useful Language for Persuasion
- Video: Video: Writing Your First Draft of a Mini Business Plan
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion: Milestone 5: First Draft of Your Mini Business Plan
- Video: Video: Organization of Written Proposals
- Video: Video: Language of Proposals
- Video: Video: Improving Proposals
- Video: Video: Describing Services, Part 1
- Video: Video: Edgewater Interview
- Video: Video: Describing Services, Part 2
- Video: Video: Negotiation Language
- Video: Video: Introduction to Persuasive Language
Graded: Milestone 5: First Draft of Your Mini Business Plan
WEEK 6
Week 6: Short Pitch and Rough Presentation
In Week 6, you will get an introduction to making short pitches and presentations and then review examples before making your first practice pitch. You will also be given a chance to review past lectures on presentations.
8 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Examples of Elevator Pitches
- Reading: Useful Language: Hooks
- Discussion Prompt: Rough Presentation
- Video: Video: A Bad Presentation and a Good Presentation
- Video: Video: What Makes a Good Presentation, Part 1
- Video: Video: What Makes a Good Presentation, Part 2
- Video: Video: Transitions and Conclusions
- Video: Video: Taking Questions Scenario, Part 1
- Video: Video: Answering Questions
- Video: Video: Taking Questions Scenario, Part 2
Graded: Rough Presentation
WEEK 7
Week 7: Final Mini Business Plan and Presentation
In your final week of Capstone, you will polish your final mini business plan and presentation. You will review and be reviewed by your colleagues for your certificate.
2 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Final Project Checklist
- Discussion Prompt: Milestone 7 Discussion: Final Project Submission
- Video: Video: Farewell and Congratulations
Graded: Milestone 7: Final Mini Business Plan and Presentation
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Ratings and Reviews
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I did this course to complete my CV in English to the area of Data Science.
The course was excellent and the classes well taught by teachers.
Congratulations to Coursera team and Instructors.
Regards.
Jose Antonio.
I would like to share my experience about this specialization with you, because I really feel that I improved a lot after take all these courses offered and receive this specialization certificate. If you are looking to take a next level in your career I recommend you to take these courses I don't think you will ever regret that.
Spontaneously: Great experience !
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