English for Common Interactions in the Workplace: Basic Level from Coursera

In a professional environment, we’re often faced with the need to respond appropriately according to what the situation calls for, whether it be related to situations in daily life or the workplace.

This course was designed to provide the worker with linguistic tools which will enable greater ease in basic communications in the workplace. This way, the student will be able to broaden their lexical and grammatical repertoire in English, thus increasing their professional value and skill, and contributing to not only professional but also social mobility.

The methodology of self-guided instruction will allow the student to manage their own study time, so that they can integrate coursework with the daily demands of their professional life at a rhythm adequate for their own learning process. More importantly, the course is held online, distributed massively, and accessible anywhere in the world through Coursera.

En el contexto laboral frecuentemente enfrentamos la necesidad de interactuar de manera adecuada según la situación comunicativa lo amerite, ya sea, reaccionando a situaciones de la vida cotidiana o bien en el lugar de trabajo.

Este curso fue diseñado para proporcionar al trabajador herramientas lingüísticas que permitan facilitar interacciones básicas comunes en el lugar de trabajo. De este modo, el estudiante podrá ampliar su inventario léxico y gramatical en el idioma inglés, aumentando así su valor profesional y su competencia laboral, contribuyendo no solo movilidad laboral sino que también social.

La metodología auto-instruccional permitirá al estudiante gestionar su propio tiempo de estudio y podrá compatibilizarlo con las exigencias diarias del trabajo, a un ritmo que se adecúe a su proceso de aprendizaje individual. Aún más importante, el curso se dicta en modalidad online, en formato masivo, accesible en distintos lugares del mundo a través de la web de Coursera.

This course’s objective is that students be able to utilize basic-level grammatical and lexical structures (CFER level A2) which will enable basic interactions common to the workplace in English.

Este curso tiene como objetivo que los alumnos sean capaces de emplear estructuras gramaticales y léxico propios del nivel básico (MCER A2) que permitan facilitar interacciones básicas que son comunes en el lugar del trabajo en inglés.

Course contents / Contenidos del curso:

Module 1: Everyday Language on the Job

• Grammar: present simple to be affirmative, negative question structure, all persons.

• Vocabulary: professions / nationalities.

• Indefinite article: a/an.

• Expressions used when introducing yourself.

• Grammar: present simple (I, you, he/she/it, we -- affirmative & negative).

• Vocabulary: work routine verbs.

• Review of adverbs of frequency.

• Times of the day: In the morning /in the afternoon/ at night.

Module 2: Making Phone Calls

• Grammar: present simple (I, you, he/she/it, we --- questions and short answers).

• Vocabulary: telephoning expressions.

• Grammar: making suggestions

• Vocabulary: numbers/dates

• Dates in British English and American English

Module 3: Preparing for meeting

• Grammar: Going To.

• Vocabulary: Flash Review of Cardinal Numbers 1-60.

• Telling time.

• Grammar: There is / There are

• Prepositions of place

• Vocabulary: Places around town

Module 4: Post-meeting etiquette

• Grammar: Past Simple (To Be).

• Use of Past Tense of go with good/bad.

• Vocabulary: Descriptive Adjectives (it was ...).

• Grammar: Past Simple (regular verbs)

• Vocabulary: Correspondence Verbs (w. common phrasal verbs)

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to “English for Common Interactions in the Workplace"

Our warmest welcome to you, and thank you for choosing our MOOC “English for Common Interactions in the Workplace,” developed by English UC at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. The purpose of this MOOC is to develop basic English strategies for effective everyday interactions in the workplace. This course is designed for administrators and staff of various industries in which interaction with English-speakers may occur. We wish you great success as you progress in this course.

Module 1: Everyday Language on the Job

In the first module, you’ll learn to describe professions and daily tasks on the job using the present simple grammatical structure and acquiring vocabulary related to professions and occupations. Through the designed activities you’ll be able to develop and improve your reading comprehension in English. Content designer: James Gibbons, English Teacher, English UC Language Center.

Module 2: Making Phone Calls

In this second module, you’ll learn to make and receive basic phone calls that commonly occur in the professional environment using grammatical structures related to them. Also, you’ll acquire vocabulary related to useful language for making phone calls. Through the designed activity you’ll develop and improve your listening skills in English.Content designer: Alexandra Durr, English Teacher, English UC Language Center.

Module 3: Preparing for meeting

In Module 3 you’ll be able to learn to make plans to hold a professional meeting using grammatical structures to refer to the future. Also, you’ll be able to acquire vocabulary related to scheduling and planning. The prepared activities will allow you to improve your listening comprehension in English. Content designer: James Gibbons, English Teacher, English UC Language Center.

Module 4: Post-meeting etiquette

In this last module, you’ll learn to make references to job activities in the past using the appropriate grammatical structures and you’ll acquire vocabulary related to describing events in the past. The activities designed for this module will also permit you to develop your reading skills in English. Content designer: Alexandra Durr, English Teacher, English UC Language Center.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on strategies for effective English interactions in the workplace

Audience includes administrators and staff of various industries

Taught by English teachers with experience in the English UC Language Center

Covers grammar and vocabulary essential for workplace communication

Includes activities for developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills

May require learners to have some prior knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary

Reviews summary

English interactions in the workplace

Learners say this course provides largely positive practical English skills for the workplace through realistic videos, engaging assignments, and essential vocabulary. Students value how it focuses on real-world workplace scenarios, including practicing conversations, making calls, and scheduling meetings. It is noted as beginner-friendly, while also helpful for refreshers. While the course is primarily in English, support is provided for learners by offering transcripts for the videos.

although the certificate costs money, learners find the course to be worth the price

"Excelente curso, los contenidos son muy intuitivos y didacticos."

"Me encantó el curso, amenas actividades, buen material videográfico, buenos ejercicios, sólo revisar un error en un ejercicio del Módulo 4."

"the course very well, i can learn about communication in the workplace and i will apply it in my workplace, thank you so much for the course"

"Un curso objetivo y consciso para recordar y reforzar los elementos básicos del inglés. Me ha ayudado mucho para preparar mi exámen de TOEFL."

"me encanta es basico y eficaz para aprender mas del dia a dia. me gustaria poder tener la opcion de poder terminarlo y luego pagar mi certificado."

"This course is very useful to learn and add formal vocabulary to common situations at daily work."

provides a solid foundation for beginners in English

"Introducción al ingles basico, para personas sin conocimiento previo."

"This course is very useful to start learn english"

"it is a useful course, it has grammar, communication skills, many new vocabulary.i advice everyone to follow this course"

"Es muy bueno y de fácil comprension, se ajusta a mi dispocision de horarios ademas de que es entrtenido."

"Me gusto mucho este curso. Al ser para un nivel básico de ingles, pude entender perfectamente los contenidos."

course is ideal for basic English workplace communication

"this course is very useful to our work places how to interact with the colligues and also the superiors"

"This is a great course for a person who wants to understand the most common situations at the office"

"I am so glad with this course. It permitted me to learn new skills to improve in the work environment."

"The course was quite interesting! I enjoyed every simulation used in the course."

"The course has indeed shaped my way in office communication and carrier development."

assignments help to apply knowledge in real contexts

"Excelente curso, primera vez que siento que realmente aprendo. "

"me encanto es basico y eficaz para aprender mas del dia a dia"

"This course very easy to understand as well as it is very interesting so I never bored when I attend the lessons."

"Thank Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile for this beautifull course!"

"The lectures were very simple and easy to follow."

"I really loved this course! I've learned a lot and improved my confidence about talking with other in the office."

while the course provides some speaking activities, learners wish there were more speaking opportunities

"It was an excellent course for beginners. I wish i could learn more. Thanks."

"may be you should add something so students can also improve speaking."

"Es un curso de repaso, más que de aprendizaje, no es algo especializado para mejorar el inglés"

"je n'arrive pas a faire aucun de votre test final, il faudrais enlever les heures"

"Seria muy bueno que el curso sugiera repetir aquellas lecciones en donde uno estuvo con menos aciertos"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in English for Common Interactions in the Workplace: Basic Level with these activities:

Practice basic English grammar and vocabulary

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Review the fundamentals of English grammar and vocabulary to strengthen your foundation in the language.

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Review basic grammar concepts such as tenses, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure.
Expand your vocabulary by learning new words and phrases related to the workplace.
Practice using these concepts and vocabulary in written and spoken exercises.

Watch videos on English pronunciation and intonation

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Improve your pronunciation and intonation by watching videos that demonstrate correct pronunciation and intonation patterns.

Browse courses on English Pronunciation

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Watch videos that focus on specific sounds and intonation patterns.
Practice imitating the pronunciations and intonation patterns demonstrated in the videos.
Record yourself speaking and compare your pronunciation to the videos.

Read ahead on English grammar

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Review the basics of English grammar before starting the course to ensure a solid foundation.

View Basic Grammar in Use Book with Answers and... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book
Read the first three chapters

Eight other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 11 activities

Do English grammar exercises

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Practice English grammar exercises to improve your accuracy and fluency.

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Find a grammar exercise website or book
Complete 10 exercises

Watch English pronunciation videos

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Watch English pronunciation videos to improve your pronunciation and listening skills.

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Find a pronunciation video on YouTube
Watch the video and practice the pronunciation

Record yourself speaking English

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Record yourself speaking English to practice your pronunciation and fluency.

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Choose a topic to talk about
Record yourself speaking for 2 minutes

Attend an English conversation group

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Attend an English conversation group to practice speaking and listening to English with others.

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Find an English conversation group in your area
Attend a meeting

Take an English language class

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Take an English language class to learn the basics of English grammar and vocabulary.

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Attend the class regularly
Find an English language class in your area

Practice writing emails in English

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Start writing emails in English to practice the language and improve your communication skills.

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Create a list of email scenarios
Write an email for each scenario

Volunteer at an English language school

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Volunteer at an English language school to help students with their English skills.

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Find an English language school that accepts volunteers
Apply for a volunteer position

Write a blog post about your progress

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Write a blog post about your progress in learning English to reflect on your journey and share your experiences.

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Choose a topic to write about
Write a blog post of at least 500 words

Career center

Learners who complete English for Common Interactions in the Workplace: Basic Level will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Customer Service Representative

The course will increase English proficiency as a Customer Service Representative when interacting with limited English-speaking clients or stakeholders over the phone, email, or online. English for Common Interactions in the Workplace is suited for receptionists, administrative assistants, office clerks, sales associates, retail workers, and other public-facing roles where employees often communicate with clients verbally or through electronic media.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative

Teaching Assistant

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace will augment English proficiency when working as a Teaching Assistant. You will learn how to introduce yourself and interact appropriately with students, colleagues, faculty, and parents. Additionally, the course has an entire module dedicated to planning and holding professional meetings, a common requirement for TAs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teaching Assistant

Executive Assistant

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace may be helpful for Executive Assistants. You will develop English language skills commonly used in the workplace, particularly when holding meetings and making phone calls. In addition to improving your written and verbal communication skills, you will broaden your English vocabulary and increase fluency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Executive Assistant

Interpreter

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace may be helpful for Interpreters. As an Interpreter, you often have a variety of duties, including translating spoken language. This course will enable you to enhance your working English, especially as it pertains to phone calls, meetings, and general workplace interactions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter

Sales Representative

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace is useful to Sales Representatives, especially when working with international clients and partners. As a Sales Representative, you must be able to understand and clearly communicate product or service offerings, answer questions, and negotiate deals. This course provides necessary English language skills to work in a globalized market.

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Office Manager

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace may be beneficial for Office Managers when working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This course covers the basics of English in order to have easy and effective everyday workplace interactions.

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Accountant

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace may be useful for Accountants working with international clients or colleagues. The course provides basic English language skills commonly used in professional settings, including making phone calls, scheduling meetings, and introducing yourself and others.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accountant

Marketing Manager

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace may be useful for Marketing Managers working with international clients or partners, improving their ability to communicate in English with stakeholders worldwide.

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Human Resources Manager

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace is relevant to Human Resources Managers, particularly when interacting with international employees. The course offers the opportunity to learn basic English for everyday workplace communication.

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Project Manager

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace may be beneficial for Project Managers when working with international teams or clients. This course covers the basics of English communication in professional settings, including scheduling meetings, making phone calls, and presenting information.

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Software Engineer

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace may be useful for Software Engineers working with international teams or clients, increasing their confidence when communicating in English in professional settings.

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Data Analyst

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace may be helpful for Data Analysts collaborating with international teams or clients, allowing them to communicate effectively in English in a professional environment.

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Financial Analyst

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace may be beneficial for Financial Analysts working with international clients or colleagues, as it provides basic English language skills for workplace communication.

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Product Manager

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace is relevant to Product Managers, especially when working with international teams or clients, as it offers basic English language skills for effective workplace communication.

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Engineer

English for Common Interactions in the Workplace may be helpful for Engineers working with international teams or clients. It provides basic English language skills for workplace communication, including making phone calls, scheduling meetings, and presenting information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineer