Course Title: Business English Mastery
Course Objectives:
- Enhance professional communication skills
- Develop business writing proficiency
- Master the art of presentations and public speaking
- Improve negotiation skills
- Gain cultural awareness and understanding in a business context
Week 1: Introduction to Business English
- Session 1: Course Overview and Goals
- Introduction to the course structure
- Setting individual goals
- Session 2: Essential Business Vocabulary
- Common business terminology
- Vocabulary building exercises
Week 2: Professional Communication Skills
- Session 3: Formal and Informal Communication
- Differentiating between formal and informal language
- Role-playing exercises
- Session 4: Telephone and Video Conference Etiquette
- Best practices for phone and video calls
- Practice scenarios
Week 3: Business Writing Skills
- Session 5: Email Writing
- Structure and tone of professional emails
- Email writing practice
- Session 6: Report Writing
- Elements of effective reports
- Report writing exercises
Week 4: Presentation Skills
- Session 7: Structuring a Presentation
- Organizing content for clarity and impact
- Creating effective slides
- Session 8: Public Speaking Techniques
- Overcoming stage fright
- Engaging the audience
Week 5: Meetings and Discussions
- Session 9: Conducting Effective Meetings
- Planning and running meetings
- Meeting role-play
- Session 10: Participating in Discussions
- Active listening and speaking skills
- Group discussions
Week 6: Negotiation Skills
- Session 11: Negotiation Strategies
- Key negotiation tactics
- Case studies
- Session 12: Practice Negotiations
- Simulated negotiation exercises
- Feedback and improvement
Week 7: Cross-Cultural Communication
- Session 13: Understanding Cultural Differences
- Impact of culture on business communication
- Case studies and discussions
- Session 14: Adapting Communication Styles
- Strategies for effective cross-cultural communication
- Role-playing exercises
Week 8: Business Writing II
- Session 15: Writing Proposals
- Crafting persuasive proposals
- Proposal writing practice
- Session 16: Writing for Social Media
- Professional use of social media
- Social media content creation
Week 9: Advanced Presentation Skills
- Session 17: Storytelling in Business
- Using stories to enhance presentations
- Storytelling exercises
- Session 18: Handling Q&A Sessions
- Techniques for managing questions
- Practice Q&A
Week 10: Professional Networking
- Session 19: Networking Strategies
- Building professional relationships
- Networking role-play
- Session 20: Online Networking
- LinkedIn and other platforms
- Creating and optimizing profiles
Week 11: Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios
- Session 21: Analyzing Business Cases
- Working through real-world business scenarios
- Group analysis and presentation
- Session 22: Problem-Solving in Business
- Collaborative problem-solving exercises
- Case study presentations
Week 12: Review and Final Presentations
- Session 23: Course Review and Feedback
- Reviewing key concepts
- Student feedback and course evaluation
- Session 24: Final Presentations
- Students present on a chosen business topic
- Peer and instructor feedback
Suggested Reading List
Business English Textbooks
Market Leader by David Cotton, David Falvey, and Simon Kent
- Description: A popular series that covers business concepts and language skills needed for the global marketplace. It includes case studies, authentic texts, and practical exercises.
- Level: Intermediate to Advanced
English for Business Communication by Simon Sweeney
- Description: This book focuses on the practical use of English in business contexts, including meetings, negotiations, and presentations. It provides numerous examples and practice activities.
- Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Business Result by John Hughes and Jon Naunton
- Description: Combines interactive learning with real-world business situations. It covers key areas such as team working, problem-solving, and delivering presentations.
- Level: Pre-intermediate to Advanced
Business Vocabulary in Use by Bill Mascull
- Description: This book provides vocabulary explanations and practice for key business terms and concepts. It is divided into different business topics and includes practice exercises.
- Level: Elementary to Advanced
Business Grammar and Practice by Michael Duckworth
- Description: Focuses on grammar rules and structures used in business English. Each unit includes clear explanations, practice exercises, and review tests.
- Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Articles and Journals
Harvard Business Review (HBR)
- Description: Offers insights and advice from experts on business strategy, leadership, management, and various other topics.
- Website: hbr.org
The Economist
- Description: Provides in-depth analysis and commentary on global business, finance, economics, and politics.
- Website: economist.com
MIT Sloan Management Review
- Description: Features articles on management practice, including leadership, innovation, and digital transformation.
- Website: sloanreview.mit.edu
Forbes
- Description: Covers a wide range of business topics, including entrepreneurship, leadership, technology, and investment.
- Website: forbes.com
Online Resources
Business English Websites
BBC Learning English – Business English
- Description: Provides free lessons and resources on business English, including vocabulary, grammar, and listening exercises.
- Website: bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
- https://www.bbc.com/business
Business English Pod
- Description: Offers podcasts and lessons on various business English topics, such as meetings, presentations, negotiations, and telephone calls.
- Website: businessenglishpod.com
ESL Brains
- Description: Features engaging lesson plans and activities for teaching business English, including videos and interactive exercises.
- Website: eslbrains.com
Breaking News English
- Description: Offers simplified news articles and activities for English learners, covering a variety of business topics.
- Website: breakingnewsenglish.com