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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
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

Kin Tang
Delian Gaskell
Sean McMinn

Instructors: Kin Tang

Instructors

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.6 (334 ratings)
Kin Tang
Kin Tang
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
5 Courses•307,362 learners
Delian Gaskell
Delian Gaskell
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
5 Courses•307,362 learners
Sean McMinn
Sean McMinn
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
5 Courses•307,362 learners

148,466 already enrolled

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6 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.5

(1,203 reviews)

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course

6 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.5

(1,203 reviews)

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews

Skills you'll gain

  • English Language
  • Language Competency
  • Literacy
  • Vocabulary
  • Communication Strategies
  • Grammar
  • Strategic Communication
  • Target Audience
  • Writing
  • Business Writing
  • Communication
  • Analysis
  • Business Communication

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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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 videos•Total 8 minutes
  • Welcome to our course•2 minutes
  • Introduction to our Specialization•3 minutes
  • How this course is organized•3 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
  • Objectives and outcomes•10 minutes
  • Learning how to learn•10 minutes
  • Learning vocabulary•10 minutes
  • The HKUST English Grammar Guide•10 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
  • How is this course relevant to you?•10 minutes
  • How do you learn English?•10 minutes
  • Introduce yourself•10 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 videos•Total 44 minutes
  • What is communication?•7 minutes
  • Communication channels•8 minutes
  • Verbal & non-verbal communication•8 minutes
  • Describing things and events•9 minutes
  • Giving explanations•4 minutes
  • Role play: explanations•2 minutes
  • Challenging grammar: modals•3 minutes
7 readings•Total 70 minutes
  • Objectives and outcomes•10 minutes
  • The Mehrabian Myth•10 minutes
  • Objectives and outcomes•10 minutes
  • Vocabulary list•10 minutes
  • Peer review practice: sample text•10 minutes
  • More on modals•10 minutes
  • What if? Using modals in conditional statements•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
  • Module 2•30 minutes
  • Vocabulary quiz•30 minutes
  • Peer review practice•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
  • Describe this scene•120 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Choosing the right communication method•10 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 videos•Total 43 minutes
  • Communication barriers•7 minutes
  • Understanding genres•7 minutes
  • Introduction to tone and style•7 minutes
  • Formal and informal communication•7 minutes
  • Comparing and contrasting•8 minutes
  • Role play: comparing and contrasting•2 minutes
  • Challenging grammar: concern•3 minutes
6 readings•Total 60 minutes
  • Objectives and outcomes•10 minutes
  • Directness of communication•10 minutes
  • Objectives and outcomes•10 minutes
  • Vocabulary list•10 minutes
  • Are you concerned?•10 minutes
  • Peer review practice: sample text•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
  • Module 3•30 minutes
  • Vocabulary practice•30 minutes
  • Peer review practice•30 minutes
2 peer reviews•Total 240 minutes
  • Correct the grammar and rewrite•120 minutes
  • Compare and contrast your job/school •120 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • The practice of directness•10 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 videos•Total 34 minutes
  • Spoken vs. written communication•6 minutes
  • Conducting an audience analysis•4 minutes
  • Defining purpose for spoken and written communication•4 minutes
  • Matching purpose, audience, medium, tone & style•7 minutes
  • Making polite requests•6 minutes
  • Role play: making requests•2 minutes
  • Challenging grammar: relative clauses•3 minutes
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
  • Objectives and outcomes•10 minutes
  • Peer review practice: sample pitch and text•10 minutes
  • Objectives and outcomes•10 minutes
  • Vocabulary list•10 minutes
  • More on relative clauses•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
  • Module 4•30 minutes
  • Peer-review practice•30 minutes
  • Vocabulary practice•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • Using appropriate tone and style•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • The audience always comes first•10 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 videos•Total 28 minutes
  • Analyzing case studies•6 minutes
  • Strategies for critical reading•7 minutes
  • Supporting arguments•8 minutes
  • Role play: supporting arguments•2 minutes
  • Challenging grammar: quantifiers•3 minutes
8 readings•Total 80 minutes
  • Objectives and outcomes•10 minutes
  • Strategies for critical reading•10 minutes
  • Business case: Renewable energy and the hotel industry•10 minutes
  • Objectives and outcomes•10 minutes
  • Vocabulary•10 minutes
  • A few or a little?•10 minutes
  • More on quantifiers•10 minutes
  • Peer-review practice: sample text•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
  • Module 5•30 minutes
  • Vocabulary practice•30 minutes
  • Peer-review practice•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
  • Sustainable Resort Proposal•120 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Building a sustainable future for Just So Resort•10 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

1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Post course survey•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Final exam•30 minutes

Earn a career certificate

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.6 (334 ratings)
Kin Tang
Kin Tang
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
5 Courses•307,362 learners
Delian Gaskell
Delian Gaskell
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
5 Courses•307,362 learners
Sean McMinn
Sean McMinn
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
5 Courses•307,362 learners

Offered by

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Offered by

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

HKUST is a world-class research-intensive university that focuses on science, technology, and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with a global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative thinking.

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4.5

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T
TR
5

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2020

Excelente curso, lo recomiendo mucho para personas que estén inmersas en el mundo de los negocios y que deseen mejorar su vocabulario y gramatica.

V
VK
4

Reviewed on Jun 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.

S
SS
5

Reviewed on May 24, 2021

Very helpful course, it provide so many things by which i have learned how to properly communicate with others. So thank you for your course, which is really good.!

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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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¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.

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