English for Developing a Business from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Leadership in Business

This week we will look at some important qualities of leaders and some ideas about leading in crisis situations. You will be able to increase or reinforce your vocabulary as we look at some details about related word forms and some ways things are measured in the United States. These can help you as you improve your skills in using English.

Communication at Work

This week’s topic is one of the most important skills in business: communication. We’ll look at what it means to have strong communication skills. You’ll learn some useful phrases and advice for making and receiving phone calls. We’ll also look at why nonverbal communication is so important and how we can make a good impression through body language, gestures, and our voices. You’ll also learn some tips for choosing appropriate, comfortable topics for small talk.

Corporate Organization

This week’s topic is all about corporate organization. We will look at some of the basic structures of organization in corporations. We also look at a memo which encourages involvement of all of the departments in an organization in a community project. We will listen to a speaker who shares ideas about what makes employees happy at work. Through these passages, you will be able to increase or reinforce your vocabulary in these areas. Finally, we will discuss how gerunds function in English and see how gerunds are often used in business situations.

Working Globally

This week, we’ll look at some of the challenges and benefits for companies that do business internationally, and we’ll think about some differences in business customs and habits between countries. You’ll hear some advice for making powerful business presentations—creating effective slides in PowerPoint or other programs and using them effectively in a presentation. You’ll also practice using comparative and superlative forms of adjectives in comparing different countries or other business topics.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on leadership and organization; can apply to various business settings

Develops a strong foundation in business communication

Suitable for learners with entry-level business experience

Taught by Marla Yoshida and Karen Vallejo

Caution: learners should have a basic understanding of business vocabulary

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 Developing a Business with these activities:

Online Study Group

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Collaborate with other students to discuss course materials, share insights, and practice your English skills.

Browse courses on Business English

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Organize regular online meetings with a small group of classmates.
Prepare discussion topics or questions based on the course content.
Share your perspectives, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Vocabulary Practice Exercises

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Improve your vocabulary and understanding of business concepts through repetitive exercises.

Browse courses on Business Vocabulary

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Choose a set of vocabulary words to practice.
Complete exercises such as fill-in-the-blanks, matching, and multiple choice.
Review your answers and identify areas where you need improvement.

Review: English Vocabulary in Use: Business & Law

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Reinforce and expand your English business vocabulary, giving you a solid foundation in business terms and concepts.

View English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate... on Amazon

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Read the introduction and skim the table of contents to get an overview of the book's structure and content.
Focus on one chapter at a time, reading the text and completing the exercises to practice the new vocabulary.
Use a dictionary or online resources to look up any unfamiliar words or phrases.
Review the vocabulary regularly to improve your retention.

Four other activities

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Business English Communication Tutorials

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Enhance your business communication skills through structured tutorials that cover key topics and provide practical tips.

Browse courses on Business English

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Identify areas where you want to improve your communication skills.
Find tutorials that address those areas, such as email writing, public speaking, or negotiation.
Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises to practice the techniques.

Attend Industry Events

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Expand your network and connect with professionals in the business field to gain insights and learn about industry trends.

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Identify industry events related to business leadership or organization.
Attend events and actively network with professionals by introducing yourself and asking questions.
Follow up with contacts and exchange information.

Business Presentation

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Develop your presentation skills and showcase your understanding of business concepts by creating a presentation on a topic related to the course.

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Choose a topic that you are interested in and that is relevant to the course material.
Research the topic and gather information from credible sources.
Create a presentation outline and develop your main points.
Use visual aids, such as slides or videos, to support your presentation.
Practice your presentation and time yourself to ensure it fits within the allocated time.

Business English Blog or Podcast

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Deepen your understanding of business English and share your knowledge by creating a blog or podcast on a topic related to the course.

Browse courses on Business English

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Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that is relevant to the course content.
Research the topic and gather information from credible sources.
Create a blog post or podcast episode outline and develop your main points.
Write or record your content, ensuring that it is clear, concise, and engaging.
Edit and refine your content before sharing it with others.

Career center

Learners who complete English for Developing a Business will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Management Analyst

Management Analysts use business knowledge and analytical tools to help organizations solve problems, improve processes, and make better decisions at the highest level. You will also be tasked with helping a company or organization through the process of restructuring or improving their organization through data analysis and business strategy. This course may help you if you are seeking the communication and problem solving skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Analyst

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the operations of a business. They work to ensure that the business operates efficiently and effectively. This course may help you if you are seeking the leadership and problem solving skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with organizations to identify and solve business problems. They use their knowledge of business processes and technology to help organizations improve their efficiency and effectiveness. This course may help you if you are seeking the analytical and problem solving skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Business Consultant

Business Consultants help organizations improve their performance by providing advice on strategy, operations, and technology. They work with clients to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement change. This course may help you if you are seeking the strategic thinking and problem solving skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Consultant

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human capital of an organization. They work to recruit, hire, train, and develop employees. This course may help you if you are seeking the communication and interpersonal skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Customer Service Manager

Customer Service Managers are responsible for managing a team of customer service representatives. They work to ensure that customers are satisfied with the products or services they receive. This course may help you if you are seeking the communication and interpersonal skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They work to promote products or services to potential customers. This course may help you if you are seeking the communication and analytical skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to identify trends, patterns, and insights. They use this information to help organizations make better decisions. This course may help you if you are seeking the analytical and communication skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Information Systems Manager

Information Systems Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the information systems of an organization. They work to ensure that the information systems are reliable, secure, and meet the needs of the organization. This course may help you if you are seeking the leadership and problem solving skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Systems Manager

Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts are responsible for conducting research on market trends, customer needs, and competitor's strategies. They use this information to help companies make better decisions about product development, marketing, and sales. This course may help you if you are seeking the research and communication skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for evaluating the financial performance of companies. They use this information to make recommendations about investment decisions. This course may help you if you are seeking the analytical and communication skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They work to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This course may help you if you are seeking the leadership and problem solving skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital and provide financial advice. They work with companies to develop and execute financial strategies. This course may help you if you are seeking the analytical and communication skills needed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating a team of salespeople. They work to develop and implement sales strategies, and to achieve sales goals. This course may help you if you are seeking a role in management, as it may help develop communication and leadership skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for planning, developing, and launching new products. They work to ensure that products meet the needs of customers and are successful in the marketplace. This course may help you if you have interest in product management, as it may provide some of the vocabulary needed to succeed within the role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager