Business English: Basics

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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Business English: Basics

This course is part of Business English for Non-Native Speakers Specialization

Instructors: Kin Tang

157,348 already enrolled

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

3 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

3 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

13 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Business English for Non-Native Speakers Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 6 modules in this course

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

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.

What's included

3 videos4 readings3 discussion prompts

3 videosTotal 8 minutes

Welcome to our course2 minutes
Introduction to our Specialization3 minutes
How this course is organized3 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Learning how to learn10 minutes
Learning vocabulary10 minutes
The HKUST English Grammar Guide10 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

How is this course relevant to you?10 minutes
How do you learn English?10 minutes
Introduce yourself10 minutes

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.

What's included

7 videos7 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 45 minutes

What is communication?7 minutes
Communication channels9 minutes
Verbal & non-verbal communication9 minutes
Describing things and events9 minutes
Giving explanations5 minutes
Role play: explanations3 minutes
Challenging grammar: modals4 minutes

7 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
The Mehrabian Myth10 minutes
Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Vocabulary list10 minutes
Peer review practice: sample text10 minutes
More on modals10 minutes
What if? Using modals in conditional statements10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Vocabulary quiz30 minutes
Peer review practice30 minutes
Module 230 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Describe this scene120 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Choosing the right communication method10 minutes

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.

What's included

7 videos6 readings3 assignments2 peer reviews1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 44 minutes

Communication barriers7 minutes
Understanding genres8 minutes
Introduction to tone and style7 minutes
Formal and informal communication7 minutes
Comparing and contrasting8 minutes
Role play: comparing and contrasting2 minutes
Challenging grammar: concern4 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Directness of communication10 minutes
Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Vocabulary list10 minutes
Are you concerned?10 minutes
Peer review practice: sample text10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Vocabulary practice30 minutes
Peer review practice30 minutes
Module 330 minutes

2 peer reviewsTotal 240 minutes

Correct the grammar and rewrite120 minutes
Compare and contrast your job/school 120 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

The practice of directness10 minutes

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.

What's included

7 videos5 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 35 minutes

Spoken vs. written communication6 minutes
Conducting an audience analysis5 minutes
Defining purpose for spoken and written communication4 minutes
Matching purpose, audience, medium, tone & style7 minutes
Making polite requests7 minutes
Role play: making requests2 minutes
Challenging grammar: relative clauses4 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Peer review practice: sample pitch and text10 minutes
Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Vocabulary list10 minutes
More on relative clauses10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Peer-review practice30 minutes
Vocabulary practice30 minutes
Module 430 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Using appropriate tone and style60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

The audience always comes first10 minutes

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.

What's included

5 videos8 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 28 minutes

Analyzing case studies6 minutes
Strategies for critical reading7 minutes
Supporting arguments9 minutes
Role play: supporting arguments2 minutes
Challenging grammar: quantifiers3 minutes

8 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Strategies for critical reading10 minutes
Business case: Renewable energy and the hotel industry10 minutes
Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Vocabulary10 minutes
A few or a little?10 minutes
More on quantifiers10 minutes
Peer-review practice: sample text10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Vocabulary practice30 minutes
Peer-review practice30 minutes
Module 530 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Sustainable Resort Proposal120 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Building a sustainable future for Just So Resort10 minutes

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.

What's included

1 reading1 assignment

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Instructors

Kin Tang

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

5 Courses325,144 learners

Delian Gaskell

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

5 Courses325,144 learners

Sean McMinn

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

5 Courses325,144 learners

Offered by

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. 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.

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.

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