Certificate Course in Business English

Week 1: Introduction to Business English and Basic Communication Skills

Course orientation and introduction to business English vocabulary.

Basic communication skills: greetings, introductions, small talk, and simple conversations in business settings.

Role-plays and pair/group activities for practicing speaking and listening.

Week 2-4: Business Writing Basics

Introduction to business writing styles and formats. Writing emails: structure, greetings, body, and closing. Writing memos and simple reports.

Practice exercises for writing and editing business documents.

Week 5-8: Speaking in Business Situations

Telephoning skills: taking and leaving messages, making inquiries, and handling basic customer service calls.

Participating in meetings: expressing opinions, asking questions, and making suggestions. Giving presentations: organizing content, using visuals, and delivering a concise message.

Role-plays and simulations for practical application.

Week 9-10: Business Reading and Listening Comprehension

Developing strategies for understanding business texts, such as emails, articles, and reports. Building vocabulary related to business and industry-specific terminology.

Listening to authentic business materials, such as podcasts, interviews, and presentations. Identifying main ideas, specific details, and understanding context.

Week 11-12: Review and Application

Reviewing and consolidating the skills learned throughout the course.

Practice activities that integrate speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Mock business scenarios to simulate real-life situations.

Final assessments and feedback sessions.

Week 1-2: Building Language Foundation for Business Communication

• Introduction to the importance of strong language skills in the business world.
• Vocabulary building exercises for essential business terms.
• Common business greetings and pleasantries.
• Role-playing exercises for greetings in various professional contexts.
• Introduction to common business scenarios like introducing oneself, discussing roles, and making small talk.

Week 3-4: Business Communication Basics

Email Etiquette and Writing Skills

• Guidelines for professional email communication.
• Writing effective subject lines and email structures.
• Practice drafting and sending professional emails.

Telephone Etiquette and Practice

• Role-play exercises for handling phone calls in a business context.
• Listening comprehension and taking messages.

Week 5-6: Meetings and Presentations

Participating in Meetings Effectively

• Vocabulary related to meetings (agenda, minutes, action items, etc.).
• Techniques for active participation, including asking questions and giving opinions.
• Mock meetings with different roles (chairperson, presenter, participants).

Preparing and Delivering Presentations

• Tips for structuring a presentation.
• Effective use of visuals (slides, charts).
• Practicing presentation skills with peer feedback.

Week 7-8: Business Vocabulary and Jargon

Building Your Business Vocabulary

• Vocabulary expansion exercises based on various business sectors (finance, marketing, HR, etc.).
• Creating word banks and practicing using new terms in context.

Understanding and Using Business Jargon

• Explanation of common business jargon and acronyms.
• Discussion on when and how to use jargon appropriately.
• Role-play scenarios incorporating industry-specific jargon.

Week 9-10: Business Writing Skills

Writing Reports

• Structuring reports for clarity and impact.
• Analyzing case studies and creating sample reports.
• Peer review and editing exercises.

Crafting Effective Business Letters and Proposals

• Components of business letters and proposals.
• Writing persuasive business documents.
• Drafting sample letters and proposals.

Week 11-12: Revision