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Business English for Cross-cultural Communication

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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Business English for Cross-cultural Communication

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

Instructors: Kin Tang

37,453 already enrolled

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

413 reviews

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

95%

Most learners liked this course

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

413 reviews

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

95%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

12 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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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 prepare you for working in an cross-cultural Business setting. We'll learn about common cross-cultural theories and how they are relevant to everyday business practices in a globalised world. By combining all of your vocabulary, reading, speaking, and writing skills that you acquired in the previous three courses, you will learn how language plays an important role in cross-cultural communication. You will also enhance your cross-cultural understanding and will be able to use vocabulary, tone and style, and spoken and written communication skills within a cross-cultural Business context. Skills learned in this course help prepare you to deliver the professional business presentation in the Capstone project.

After completing this course, you will be able to: - identify possible cross-cultural issues and misunderstandings in communication - apply strategies to overcome possible cross-cultural issues and misunderstandings in communication - produce documents with an appropriate style for business communication purposes within a cross-cultural situation - deliver a speech with an appropriate style for business communication purposes within a cross-cultural situation

Module details

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

1 video4 readings2 discussion prompts

Welcome to Week 2! This week we will cover Module 2 where we introduce you to basic cultural theories and language skills you will use in general cross-cultural business situations. You will also be introduced to vocabulary and language skills common to business communications.

What's included

4 videos7 readings3 assignments1 peer review3 discussion prompts

4 videosTotal 21 minutes

What is culture?5 minutes
English as a Lingua Franca9 minutes
Challenging grammar: comparative and superlative forms3 minutes
Challenging English sounds /ʃ/ "sherry" and /ʧ/ "cherry"s4 minutes

7 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Vocabulary prep10 minutes
Can we define culture?10 minutes
Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Vocabulary list10 minutes
More on comparative and superlative forms10 minutes
Relatively, rather, compared to10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 70 minutes

Vocabulary practice30 minutes
Vocabulary practice10 minutes
Module 230 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Say it right.60 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

How would you define culture?10 minutes
What about your culture? Does it change?10 minutes
Same word, different meaning?10 minutes

Welcome to Week 3! This week we will cover Module 3 where we introduce you to ways of cultural understanding can guide business communication strategies basic and the language skills you will use in general cross-cultural business situations. You will also be introduced to vocabulary and language skills common to business communications.

What's included

9 videos8 readings4 assignments2 peer reviews2 discussion prompts

9 videosTotal 73 minutes

Digital communication8 minutes
The cultural situation - Part 111 minutes
The cultural situation - Part 211 minutes
Cultural strategy - Writing8 minutes
Cultural strategy: Speaking (Part 1)13 minutes
Cultural strategy: Speaking (Part 2)9 minutes
Challenging English Grammar: Connective choice3 minutes
Challenging English Sounds - /ŋ/ “thing” and /ŋk/ “think”5 minutes
Rhythm, stress and pausing5 minutes

8 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Vocabulary prep10 minutes
Cross-cultural communication barriers10 minutes
Avoiding cultural faux pas in international business10 minutes
Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Vocabulary list10 minutes
Adverb and Connective Choice10 minutes
List of conjuncts10 minutes
Peer review practice: Sample of a culturally insensitive email10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 100 minutes

Vocabulary prep30 minutes
Vocabulary practice10 minutes
Culturally insensitive email: peer review practice30 minutes
Module 330 minutes

2 peer reviewsTotal 120 minutes

Culturally insensitive email: Correct and rewrite60 minutes
Avoiding cultural and communicative faux pas60 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Is it culturally appropriate?10 minutes
Cross-cultural communication blunders10 minutes

Welcome to Week 4! This week we will cover Module 4 where we introduce you to common cultural frameworks used in the business world, how theories inform management in cross-cultural situations and language skills you will use in management situations. You will also be introduced to vocabulary and language skills common to business communications.

What's included

5 videos5 readings2 assignments2 peer reviews1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 31 minutes

Hofstede's cultural dimensions9 minutes
Cross-cultural communication skills for management8 minutes
Directness of language7 minutes
Challenging English Grammar:The continuous tense3 minutes
Challenging English sounds: /w/ "west"-v- /v/ "vest"4 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

More on Hofstede's cultural dimensions10 minutes
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions: applications, further studies, and criticisms10 minutes
Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Vocabulary list10 minutes
More on the continuous (past, present, future)10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 58 minutes

Vocabulary practice30 minutes
Module 428 minutes

2 peer reviewsTotal 120 minutes

Say it right60 minutes
Hofstede's cultural dimensions mini-case60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Do you agree with Hofstede?10 minutes

Welcome to Week 5! This week we will cover Module 5 where we introduce you ways you might apply cultural frameworks to authentic workplace situations, business ethics in today's international worlds and the language skills you will use in these situations. You will also be introduced to vocabulary and language skills common to business communications.

What's included

6 videos4 readings2 assignments2 peer reviews2 discussion prompts

6 videosTotal 33 minutes

Applying Cultural Frameworks8 minutes
Business Negotiations7 minutes
Applying Cultural Frameworks in Business Ethics6 minutes
Challenging English Sounds-/l/ "light" and /r/ "right"4 minutes
Challenging English Grammar: Misplaced modifiers & dangling participles2 minutes
Analyzing case studies5 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Directness of communication - in Cross Cultural Contexts10 minutes
Objectives and outcomes10 minutes
Vocabulary list10 minutes
More on misplaced modifiers & dangling participles10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Vocabulary practice30 minutes
Module 530 minutes

2 peer reviewsTotal 180 minutes

Applying cross cultural frameworks in cross cultural communication - mini-case analysis120 minutes
Applying cross cultural frameworks in cross cultural business negotiations and ethics - mini-case analysis60 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Can cultural frameworks be applied in the real world?10 minutes
Cross Cultural Frameworks and Business Ethics10 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.