English for Business and Entrepreneurship from Coursera

Welcome to English for Business and Entrepreneurship, a course created by the University of Pennsylvania, and funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs.

To enroll in this course for free, click on “Enroll now” and then select "Full Course. No certificate."

This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in learning more about the global business economy. In this course, you will learn about topics and language necessary to succeed in the international workplace. You will explore business English through authentic readings and video lectures, while learning about business vocabulary, concepts, and issues. Unit 1 will provide an introduction to entrepreneurship by examining ideas, products, and opportunities. In unit 2, you will learn about the basics of market research, including how to identify an opportunity. The next unit in the course will focus on business plans, why these plans are important, and will give you a chance to practice composing a business plan. In the final unit of the course, we will present basics for funding a business and will help you create a persuasive presentation, or pitch, based on a business plan.

Unless otherwise noted, all course materials are available for re-use, repurposing and free distribution under a Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution license.

Supplemental reading materials were provided by Newsela, which publishes daily news articles at a level that's just right for each English language learner.

What's inside

Syllabus

Unit 1: Becoming an Entrepreneur

In this unit, we will introduce course goals and logistics, then discuss basic concepts and vocabulary related to entrepreneurship.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores business English through real-world readings and video lectures, making it relevant to everyday practice

Taught by instructors from the University of Pennsylvania, known for their research and expertise in business and entrepreneurship

Suitable for non-native English speakers aiming to improve their business communication skills and knowledge

Utilizes Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution license, allowing for free distribution and reuse of course materials

Provides supplemental reading materials from Newsela, tailored to the language level of non-native English learners

Reviews summary

English for business and entrepreneurship fundamentals

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive introduction to business and entrepreneurship concepts, specifically tailored for non-native English speakers. Students appreciate the blend of fundamental business knowledge with practical English language skills for the workplace. The course includes practical exercises and guidance on developing a business plan and delivering a pitch, which many found highly valuable. However, some learners note that the required English proficiency level may be higher than expected, potentially posing a challenge for true beginners, suggesting it is better suited for intermediate to advanced learners. While the coverage of topics is generally well-received, a few reviewers felt the section on financials was brief.

Well-organized & clear lectures.

"The lectures were clear and easy to follow..."

"The course material is well-organized and easy to navigate."

"The content is practical and the structure is logical."

Improves professional English.

"Highly recommend for non-native English speakers looking to improve business English skills."

"The language focus is very useful for improving professional communication."

"Useful for expanding business vocabulary."

"An excellent course for anyone looking to bridge the gap between English language learning and business knowledge."

Useful concepts & practical exercises.

"It really helped me understand the basics of entrepreneurship and how to write a business plan. The assignments were very practical."

"A good course covering key concepts like market research and pitching. The business plan section was particularly helpful."

"Enjoyed the practical exercises, especially the pitch preparation."

"As someone who wants to start my own business, this gave me the framework and the language skills I need. The pitch unit was brilliant. Highly relevant and practical."

Financial details could be expanded.

"I felt the section on financials in the business plan was a bit brief and could have gone into more detail."

"I agree with another reviewer that the financials section could be more detailed."

May challenge true beginners.

"I found the level of English sometimes challenging. It assumes a certain level of proficiency which might be difficult for true beginners."

"I struggled with the English. It seems targeted at intermediate to advanced learners, not beginners..."

"If your English isn't already pretty good, you'll struggle."

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 Business and Entrepreneurship with these activities:

Attend industry meetups

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Connect with professionals in the field to gain insights and expand your network

Browse courses on Networking

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Research industry meetups in your area
Attend meetups to network with professionals
Prepare an elevator pitch to introduce yourself
Exchange contact information and LinkedIn profiles
Follow up with connections after the event

Review 'The Lean Startup'

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Read a foundational book on entrepreneurship to gain valuable insights

View The Startup Way: How Modern Companies Use... on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-3 and summarize key concepts
Apply the Lean Methodology to your business pitch
Identify areas for improvement in your pitch
Share your insights with peers
Evaluate how the book's principles have influenced your approach to entrepreneurship

Compile supplemental learning materials

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Organize notes and assignments to improve comprehension of course materials

Browse courses on Business Vocabulary

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Review notes from each unit
Take notes on video lectures
Complete assigned readings
Collect useful Newsela articles
Organize materials by topic

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Attend peer discussion groups

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Engage with peers to solidify concepts and develop diverse perspectives

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Find a study group or start your own
Review course materials before each session
Discuss readings and concepts with peers
Share insights and ask questions
Summarize key points after each session

Practice writing business plans

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Compose business plans to improve understanding of key concepts

Browse courses on Business Plans

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Review the three-part structure of a business plan
Write an executive summary
Conduct mock market research
Fill in templates for each section of a plan
Seek feedback from peers or a mentor

Watch tutorials on marketing and fundraising

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Expand knowledge by exploring instructional videos on relevant topics

Browse courses on Marketing

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Compile a list of recommended tutorials
Watch videos on key marketing concepts
Learn about different fundraising strategies
Take notes and summarize key points
Apply concepts to course projects

Start a business simulation

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Gain practical experience by simulating the challenges of business ownership

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Choose a business simulation platform
Develop a business plan for the simulation
Run the simulation and make decisions in real-time
Reflect on the outcomes and make adjustments
Share insights and discuss with peers

Create a business pitch

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Develop a persuasive business pitch to showcase learning

Browse courses on Presentations

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Review funding sources and pitch formats
Develop a compelling business idea
Write an outline for a persuasive pitch
Practice delivering the pitch
Seek feedback from peers or a mentor

Career center

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

Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur is someone who starts their own business. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans. Additionally, the course teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace, which is essential for entrepreneurs who want to expand their business globally.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Market Research Analyst

A Market Research Analyst conducts research to understand the needs and wants of customers. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it provides an introduction to market research, including how to identify an opportunity. The course also teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace, which is essential for market research analysts who work with clients from different cultures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Business Development Manager

A Business Development Manager is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to grow a business. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for business development managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for project managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for marketing managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for developing and launching new products. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for product managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for leading a sales team and achieving sales goals. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for sales managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a business. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for operations managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Information Technology Manager

An Information Technology Manager is responsible for managing the information technology of a business. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for information technology managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Manager

Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager is responsible for managing the human resources of a business. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for human resources managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Supply Chain Manager

A Supply Chain Manager is responsible for managing the supply chain of a business. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for supply chain managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Business Consultant

A Business Consultant helps organizations improve their performance by providing expert advice and guidance. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for business consultants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Consultant

Investment Banker

An Investment Banker helps companies raise capital and provides advice on mergers and acquisitions. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for investment bankers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst provides advice to clients on investment decisions. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship can be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which are all essential topics for financial analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. The course English for Business and Entrepreneurship may be useful in this role because it teaches the language and concepts necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Additionally, the course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship, market research, and business plans, which can be helpful for data analysts who want to work in the business world.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst