English for Business: Professional Business English course from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Business english phrases for use during meetings, phone calls, presentations, negotiations and other professional situations.
Learn over 300 useful expressions for business and professional contexts.

Improve listening and comprehension through 10 different native and non-native accents (british, american, canadian, australian, indian, chinese and more).
Practise key business expressions for use in 20 different business and professional situations.

Business english phrases for use during meetings, phone calls, presentations, negotiations and other professional situations.
Learn over 300 useful expressions for business and professional contexts.
Improve listening and comprehension through 10 different native and non-native accents (british, american, canadian, australian, indian, chinese and more).
Practise key business expressions for use in 20 different business and professional situations.

Syllabus

By the end of this section, learners will be able to confidently introduce themselves, make small talk and handle business situations such as networking events, interviews and telephone calls.

This lesson teaches expressions for first-time introductions. Through listening activities, students learn how to introduce themselves to new people, introduce a colleague or business associate and make appropriate small talk.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 14 useful expressions to:

- Introduce yourself

- Greet somebody

- Introduce a colleague

- Make small talk

- Talk about your job

- Show interest in what other people are saying

This lesson teaches expressions for making conversation in professional situations. Students will learn useful conversation openers, responses and phrases for making small talk with business associates.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 12 useful expressions to:

- Ask questions to make small talk

- Change the topic of discussion

- Use background knowledge to make small talk

This lesson teaches useful expressions for starting and ending telephone calls. Through listening activities, students learn a variety of ways to answer the phone, introduce themselves to the receiver, ask to speak to someone and end a phone call.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 13 useful expressions to:

- Answer a telephone call professionally

- Give your name over the phone

- Ask to be connected to someone

- Say the line is busy

- Say you will call back

- Offer to take a message

- End the telephone conversation

In this lesson, students learn useful vocabulary for attending a job interview in English. They will learn how to respond to a series of job interview questions and give professional responses.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 18 useful expressions to:

- Talk about your strengths

- Talk about your professional experience

- Say where you work at the moment

- Tell a prospective employer why they should hire you

- Talk about your goals for the future

- Talk about your weaknesses

In this lesson, learners will study a variety of phrases that can be used if they attend a business event or a conference. Students will be able to start conversations with new people, show interest in the other person, talk about their company and end the discussion politely.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 10 useful expressions to:

- Professionally start a conversation with someone new

- Ask questions about the other person

- Talk about your company

- End the conversation

This multiple choice quiz covers the content from lessons 1-5:

- Introductions

- Small Talk

- Telephoning

- Attending a job interview

- Networking

In this video, students learn useful vocabulary to talk about their company and job, including expressions for describing a company’s history, location, size and turnover. Students listen to dialogues of three employees talking about their work, describing their job responsibilities and what they like/dislike about their work.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 13 useful expressions to:

- Say who founded a company

- Talk about a company's year of establishment

- Say how many employees a company has

- Describe job responsibilities

- Talk about what you like and dislike at work

This lesson teaches language for sharing opinions during business meetings and discussions. Students listen to a dialogue of a teleconference where employees discuss a proposal to expand their business.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise 29 phrases for exchanging their own opinions and ideas:

- Asking for opinions

- Expressing agreement

- Expressing disagreement

- Staying neutral

This lesson teaches useful expressions for discussing problems and possible solutions. Through listening activities, students learn how to make, ask for and respond to suggestions in a variety of ways.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 30 useful expressions to:

- Declare a problem

- Find out the details of a problem

- Diagnose a problem

- Ask for a suggestion

- Make a suggestion

- Accept a suggestion

- Reject a suggestion

This lesson teaches common expressions for making apologies, excuses and promises. Through listening to dialogues and learning key expressions, students learn how to apologise for something, accept or reject an apology, explain a problem or mistake and promise action.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 21 useful expressions to:

-Apologise

- Make an excuse

- Promise to take action

In this lesson, students learn vocabulary for describing areas of an office, shop or factory and practise giving a tour of their workplace using a variety of useful expressions.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 18 useful expressions to:

- Start a tour

- Direct a tour

- Point something out

- End a tour

- Ask questions to the tour leader

A multiple choice quiz covering lessons 6-10

This lesson teaches useful expressions for students who need English for business meetings and discussions. Through listening activities, students learn phrases as well as respond to opinions using a variety of techniques for agreeing and disagreeing.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 24 useful expressions to:

- Ask for an opinion

- Agree with someone

- Disagree with someone

- Interrupt someone

This lesson teaches learners how to avoid causing offence in professional situations by expressing themselves in a more tactful, diplomatic way. Students will learn how to use a range of ‘softening’ structures to take the 'heat' out of potentially offensive situations in business.

This lesson teaches useful expressions for students who need to lead meetings and discussions in English. Through listening activities, students learn useful expressions for managing a meeting, including welcoming and introducing participants, inviting opinions, widening the discussion, sticking to the agenda and summarising the discussion.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 20 useful expressions to:

- Welcoming participants

- Opening a meeting

- Establishing the agenda

- Sticking to the agenda

- Managing time

- Inviting contributions from participants

- Organising voting

- Dealing with conflict

- Closing a meeting

- Summarising

This lesson teaches 16 common business expressions that English speakers use in a variety of professional situations.

In this lesson, students learn how to report errors and query figures in English. A variety of vocabulary for describing different numerical mistakes is explored before students listen to a series of dialogues in which speakers report and explain errors.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a total of 13 useful expressions to:

- Reporting an error

- Explaining an error

- Quoting a discrepancy

- Promising to take action

In this lesson, students learn how to talk about statistics and describe trends using combinations of nouns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a range of 46 words for describing:

- Upward trends

- Downward trends

- Staying the same

- The speed of change

In this lesson, students learn how to structure a Business presentation, using the correct vocabulary.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise a range of 24 phrases for:

- Introducing a topic

- Giving an overview

- Making points in a presentation

- Summarising

- Handing questions

In this lesson, students learn how to negotiate in English. The lesson includes a series of short negotiation dialogues and focuses on vocabulary and listening comprehension.

In the Listen and repeat section, learners can practise 22 expressions for:

- Discussing interests

- Bargaining

- "Playing for time"

- Accepting a proposal

- Rejecting a proposal

- Closing a deal

This lesson teaches useful vocabulary for learners who need to write emails in English. The lesson introduces the five parts of an email so learners can apply a professional structure to their written communication.

The lesson presents 14 expressions used when:

- Greeting someone in an email

- Writing pleasantries

- Explaining the reason for writing

- Giving a call for action

- Signing off

This lesson presents the differences between formal, informal and semi-formal email styles, introducing the "Formality Formula" for written communication. The lesson also introduces a variety of words and expressions that learners can put in order of formality. Learners get to match 9 formal verbs with their informal equivalents before re-writing an informal email in a more professional style.

Quiz covering lessons 16-20

In this lesson, students learn 12 common idioms used in Business English.

In this lesson, students learn 8 common idioms used in Business English.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Features listening activities with ten different accents, which prepares learners to comprehend and interact with a global workforce

Includes lessons on diplomatic language, which is useful for navigating sensitive conversations and maintaining positive professional relationships

Focuses on practical skills such as making phone calls, attending job interviews, and leading business meetings, which are essential for career advancement

Teaches professional email structure, formality, and style, which are crucial for effective written communication in the workplace

Requires an intermediate level of English proficiency, which may exclude beginners without prior English language learning experience

Includes quizzes and a final test, which allows learners to assess their progress and reinforce their understanding of the material

Reviews summary

Practical business english communication skills

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical and well-structured approach to improving English for professional settings. Students particularly appreciate the wide range of useful phrases and expressions covered, which are directly applicable to real-world situations like meetings, phone calls, and emails. The Listen and Repeat feature is highlighted as a great tool for pronunciation practice. While generally well-received, some mention the importance of supplementing the course with additional practice or interaction to solidify learning.

Benefits from supplemental real-world use.

"While the course is great, you still need to actively practice these phrases outside of the lessons."

"It provides the tools, but applying them regularly is key."

"I found I needed to use the language in actual conversations to really make it stick."

Exposure to different accents aids listening.

"I appreciate the variety of accents used in the listening exercises; it's realistic."

"Hearing different English accents helped improve my overall comprehension."

"The exposure to non-native accents was surprisingly useful for my specific work environment."

Helps improve pronunciation and speaking skills.

"The listen and repeat sections were excellent for practicing my pronunciation and rhythm."

"I found the listen and repeat feature very helpful for internalizing the new vocabulary."

"Being able to hear and repeat native speakers is a big plus."

"This interactive part of the course is great for building speaking confidence."

Topics are organized logically by business scenario.

"The course is structured very well, covering different business situations like meetings, calls, and interviews."

"I liked how each section focused on a specific area of business communication."

"The progression from basics to more advanced topics like negotiations feels very logical."

"Dividing the course into distinct modules made it easy to follow and digest."

Directly applicable to job and professional goals.

"This course directly addresses the language needs I have for my career progression."

"Everything I learned felt immediately relevant to my work interactions."

"It's perfect for professionals who need to communicate effectively in English."

"Definitely helps prepare you for common business communication challenges."

Provides practical phrases for professional use.

"This course is loaded with useful phrases and expressions that I can immediately use in my job."

"I found the language for meetings and negotiations particularly helpful; the phrases are spot on."

"Learning common expressions for emails and phone calls made a big difference in my daily work."

"The course provides a solid foundation of key phrases needed for professional communication."

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: Professional Business English course with these activities:

Review Basic Grammar

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of English grammar to improve clarity and professionalism in business communication.

Browse courses on English Grammar

Show steps

Review grammar rules related to tense, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation.
Complete online grammar quizzes to assess your understanding.
Practice writing short business emails and check for grammatical errors.

Read 'Business English for Dummies'

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of business English fundamentals with this accessible guide.

View English Grammar Essentials For Dummies on Amazon

Show steps

Read chapters focusing on business writing, presentations, and meetings.
Complete the exercises and quizzes provided in the book.
Apply the concepts learned to real-world business scenarios.

Write a Mock Business Email

Show steps

Practice writing professional emails to improve your written communication skills.

Show steps

Choose a common business scenario, such as requesting information or making an inquiry.
Draft an email using appropriate business English vocabulary and tone.
Review and revise the email for clarity, grammar, and professionalism.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Role-Play Phone Calls

Show steps

Improve your phone communication skills through realistic role-playing exercises.

Show steps

Pair up with a classmate or colleague.
Simulate common business phone calls, such as answering inquiries or making appointments.
Record and review the role-play to identify areas for improvement.

Review 'The Elements of Style'

Show steps

Refine your writing style and grammar with this essential guide to English usage.

View Melania on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on grammar, style, and composition.
Apply the principles to your business writing.
Focus on conciseness and clarity.

Create a Business English Glossary

Show steps

Develop a comprehensive glossary of business English terms to enhance your vocabulary and understanding.

Show steps

Compile a list of common business English terms and phrases.
Define each term clearly and concisely.
Provide examples of how each term is used in context.
Organize the glossary alphabetically for easy reference.

Prepare a Business Presentation

Show steps

Create and deliver a business presentation to practice your presentation skills and use of business English.

Show steps

Choose a relevant business topic.
Develop a presentation outline and create visually appealing slides.
Practice delivering the presentation using appropriate business English vocabulary and tone.
Record yourself and review the presentation for areas of improvement.

Career center

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

Business Development Representative

Business Development Representatives focus on building relationships and generating new leads, both of which rely heavily on effective communication. This course may help refine your professional English communication skills, especially in areas such as networking, making presentations, and negotiating. The lessons on introductions for business, describing charts and graphs, and negotiation skills may assist in making a strong first impression, conveying value propositions clearly, and closing deals. This course can prove particularly useful for those aiming to excel in client interactions and achieve business growth as a Business Development Representative.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Representative

Project Coordinator

A Project Coordinator facilitates communication among team members and stakeholders, making professional English skills critical. This course helps you improve your business communication skills, which may be very useful in project coordination. The lessons on leading business meetings, expressing opinions, and describing charts and graphs may be particularly helpful. With the skills you’ve learned, you may find yourself better able to articulate project goals, facilitate productive meetings, and present progress updates clearly as a Project Coordinator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Coordinator

Sales Associate

Sales Associates need to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues. Sales roles depend on clear articulation and active listening skills. This course helps build a practical foundation in business English, focusing on essential vocabulary and phrases applicable to various workplace interactions. Modules on making small talk, expressing opinions, and negotiating may be especially beneficial for Sales Associates. The training on understanding different accents could also prove valuable when interacting with a diverse clientele as a Sales Associate.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Associate

Account Manager

Account Managers require strong communication skills to maintain relationships with clients and negotiate contracts. This course helps you enhance your professional English, with sections on making small talk, expressing opinions, and negotiation skills. These modules may be particularly useful in building rapport with clients, understanding their needs, and successfully closing deals. The module on diplomatic language may also be especially helpful when navigating difficult conversations as an Account Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Account Manager

International Trade Specialist

International Trade Specialists require refined communication skills to navigate cross-cultural business interactions. This course helps strengthen your professional English, with a focus on vocabulary and expressions applicable in diverse workplace situations. Modules on making small talk, expressing opinions diplomatically, and understanding different accents may be especially valuable when interacting with international clients and partners. This nuanced approach to communication may lead to smoother transactions and stronger relationships as an International Trade Specialist.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Trade Specialist

Human Resources Assistant

As a Human Resources Assistant, you often need to communicate with employees at all levels of the organization, as well as external candidates. This course may help you to refine your business English skills, especially in areas such as conducting interviews, explaining company policies, and resolving conflicts. Specific modules on attending job interviews, expressing opinions diplomatically, and writing professional emails may be particularly beneficial. Clear and professional communication is essential for maintaining positive employee relations as a Human Resources Assistant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Assistant

Office Manager

The responsibilities of an Office Manager involve a significant amount of communication, both written and verbal. This course may help enhance your business English skills, particularly in areas such as making phone calls, arranging meetings, and writing professional emails. Lessons on apologizing, making excuses, and showing visitors around the office may also be very relevant. Improving your English communication can support smoother office operations as an Office Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Office Manager

Marketing Coordinator

Marketing Coordinators often need to write compelling marketing materials, present marketing plans, and communicate with clients. This course may improve your business English skills, with sections on writing professional emails, describing charts and graphs, and delivering business presentations. The skills gained may help you create more effective marketing campaigns and communicate marketing strategies more persuasively as a Marketing Coordinator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Coordinator

Administrative Assistant

The role of an Administrative Assistant often requires strong written and verbal communication skills in a business setting. This course may help improve your English communication skills, particularly in areas such as making phone calls, scheduling meetings, and writing professional emails. The section on email formality and style may be extremely useful in this role. Learning business idioms may also contribute to a more nuanced understanding of workplace communication, helping you become a more effective Administrative Assistant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Administrative Assistant

Customer Service Representative

As a Customer Service Representative, clear and effective communication is essential. This course may help you to improve your professional English, making it easier to understand and respond to customer inquiries. The course focuses on essential vocabulary and useful phrases for the workplace, which may be particularly helpful when dealing with customers from diverse backgrounds, as the course includes 10 different accents in the listening activities. Specifically, the segment on making apologies, excuses, and promises could be directly applicable to resolving customer issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative

Technical Writer

The work of a Technical Writer involves creating clear and concise documentation for technical products. This course might help improve your professional English, focusing on writing clear and effective emails, describing complex topics, and using formal language when appropriate. The modules on professional email structure, email formality and style, and describing charts and graphs, can be especially valuable. These capabilities build a foundation for effectively explaining technical information as a Technical Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Proofreader

Proofreaders need a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of English grammar and usage. This course may allow you to deepen your knowledge of professional English language conventions, particularly in areas such as email formality and style. Learning business idioms may also help you identify and correct errors in context. Strengthening your understanding of professional English communication may lead to increased accuracy and effectiveness in your role as a Proofreader.

See salaries and explore the career path for Proofreader

Technical Support Specialist

Technical Support Specialists often need to explain complex technical issues clearly and concisely to customers who may not have a technical background. This course may help refine your communication skills in English for business settings. The lessons on describing problems and suggesting solutions, as well as apologizing and making promises, may be very helpful in this role. Improving your ability to communicate clearly and professionally ensures you can effectively assist customers with technical issues as a Technical Support Specialist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist

Interpreter

Interpreters must communicate effectively with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The Interpreter role requires an active and adaptive knowledge base. This course may help improve professional communication skills, particularly in understanding different accents and using business idioms. The course emphasizes listening activities and realistic simulations, which may be very useful for developing interpretation skills. Understanding cultural nuances and professional language may support more accurate and effective communication as an Interpreter.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter

ESL Teacher

An ESL Teacher instructs non-native English speakers. This course may enhance your knowledge of business English, which may be useful for teaching professional communication skills to students. The course focuses on various business situations and includes a diverse range of accents, thus helping you prepare your students for real-world interactions. Familiarity with business idioms and expressions may also add depth to your teaching as an ESL Teacher.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESL Teacher

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in English for Business: Professional Business English course.

English Grammar Essentials For Dummies

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of business English, covering grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills. It's a helpful resource for those who need to improve their English for professional purposes. The book is particularly useful for understanding the nuances of business writing and speaking. It can serve as a useful reference tool throughout the course.

English Grammar Essentials For Dummies

Paperback

English for Business

Professional Business English course

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical business english communication skills

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses