English Communication for Tech Professionals from Coursera

Improve your English, boost your tech career, and move toward a higher-paying job by leveling up your communication skills in English Communication for Tech Professionals brought to you by Arizona State University and English4IT.

This course is for all business roles, both technical and non-technical, from developers to CEOs.

The course targets 6 main skill areas:

- vocabulary

- grammar

- pronunciation

- soft skills

- speaking & writing

After completing this course, you will:

- improve your English for professional communication;

- build your vocabulary with at least 30 new useful words and phrases from each module;

- master key grammar topics;

- have templates for emails and meetings which you can start using in your work right away;

- create a professional and attention-grabbing resume (or CV) in English and upgrade your LinkedIn profile;

- prepare for a job interview by learning useful strategies and skills that will help you preform better in interviews.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1. New Jobs in Tech

In this module, you will learn the duties and responsibilities of popular tech jobs. You will revise present simple and present continuous and create a personal pitch that you can use for networking.

Module 2. The Startup World

In this module, you will learn about startups and the process of creating and scaling a tech company. You will learn how to talk about past events and present results using past simple and present perfect. Finally, you will create a company pitch.

Module 3. Trending Technology

In this module, you will learn new vocabulary related to cutting-edge technologies. You will learn how to describe plans and future events using future tenses. Finally, you will create your own LinkedIn profile.

Module 4. Programming Languages

In this module, you will learn how to talk about programming languages. You will be able to compare different technologies using comparative and superlative adjectives. Finally, you will learn to write polite responses to client requests and issue reports.

Module 5. Version Control and Hosting Platforms

In this module, you will learn useful vocabulary to describe version control systems and hosting platforms for managing and coordinating projects. You will be able to evaluate amounts and sizes using quantifying words (few, little, etc.). Finally, you will learn about soft skills and how to leverage them in your career.

Module 6. Software Testing

In this module, you will build your vocabulary related to software testing. You will learn when and how to use passive voice. Finally, you will be able to deliver bad news and use the STAR technique to talk about your past experience.

Module 7. Project Management and Software Development

In this module, you will learn useful vocabulary to talk about project management and software development. You will also use modal verbs to talk about abilities, possibilities, advice, and obligations. Finally, you will learn how to speak in a scrum standup meeting.

Module 8. Chatting in the Tech Workplace

In this module, you will learn best practices for chatting in the tech workplace. You will also use modal verbs to talk about abilities, possibilities, advice, and obligations. Finally, you will learn how to build rapport with clients and colleagues.

Module 9. Famous People in Tech

In this module, you will learn useful vocabulary to talk about famous people in tech and their achievements. You will learn how to speak about consequences of different actions using zero and first conditionals. Finally, you will learn useful phrases for motivating people and giving feedback.

Module 10. Mentorship

In this module, you will learn about mentorship and build useful vocabulary for talking about the mentorship process. You will understand and apply the rules of word stress so that you can pronounce commonly used words correctly. You will learn to make polite requests and talk about hypothetical situations using the second conditional. Finally, you will create a reach-out message to a mentor.

Module 11. Creating a Resume

In this module, you will build vocabulary and receive useful tips for writing a professional resume. You will learn the rules and practical examples for using English articles. Finally, you will create your own resume.

Module 12. Job Interview Preparation

In this module, you will prepare for a job interview in English by studying common interview questions and appropriate responses to them. You will learn to use prepositions of space and time. Finally, you will practice small talk in an interview setting.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces new roles in trending sectors of the tech industry

Taught by instructors who are themselves experts in English for tech

Teaches job-specific vocabulary, grammar, and speaking skills

Develops resume writing and interview skills

Includes a module on soft skills, which are crucial for success in any workplace

Requires students to practice their English skills through exercises and activities

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 Communication for Tech Professionals with these activities:

Review core grammar concepts

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Solidify your current grammar skills to improve your baseline for learning.

Browse courses on Grammar

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Review parts of speech and sentence structure
Use online resources like Grammarly or Duolingo to practice grammar exercises
Watch videos or read articles about English grammar
Take practice tests to assess your grammar proficiency

Practice English vocabulary

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Improve your vocabulary to enhance your communication skills.

Browse courses on English Vocabulary

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Use flashcards to memorize new words and phrases
Use a dictionary or thesaurus to find synonyms and antonyms
Read articles, books, and news in English
Watch movies and TV shows in English

Improve your pronunciation

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Enhance your pronunciation to speak English more clearly and confidently.

Browse courses on Pronunciation

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Use online resources like YouTube or Italki to find pronunciation tutorials
Practice speaking English with a native speaker
Record yourself speaking English and listen for areas of improvement

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Read 'The Lean Startup'

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Gain insights into the principles of lean methodology and its application in tech startups.

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

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Purchase or borrow a copy of the book
Read the book
Take notes and highlight key concepts
Apply the lessons learned to your own projects or work

Create a mock email or presentation

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Develop your written and oral communication skills by creating presentations or emails.

Browse courses on Email Writing

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Identify a topic related to the course material
Research the topic
Create an outline
Write the email or presentation
Practice presenting or delivering the email

Attend a tech meetup or conference

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Connect with professionals in the tech industry to expand your network and learn about career opportunities.

Browse courses on Networking

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Find tech meetups or conferences in your area
Register for the event
Attend the event and meet new people
Follow up with people you meet

Volunteer at a tech nonprofit

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Enhance your tech skills while giving back to the community.

Browse courses on Volunteering

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Find a tech nonprofit in your area
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend training and orientation
Volunteer your time and skills

Become a mentor

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Share your knowledge and experience with others to foster their professional growth.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify a platform or organization where you can connect with mentees
Create a profile and express your interest in mentoring
Meet with potential mentees and find a good match
Provide guidance, support, and advice to your mentee

Career center

Learners who complete English Communication for Tech Professionals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Web Developer

Web developers create and maintain websites. This course can help you develop the communication skills you need to collaborate effectively with designers and other team members, as well as clients and stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Project Manager

Project managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course can help you develop the communication skills you need to effectively manage stakeholders, track progress, and resolve issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course provides you with the essential grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills you need to succeed in this role, where you will be working with both technical and non-technical colleagues and clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Business Analyst

Business analysts work with stakeholders to understand their needs and develop solutions to meet those needs. This course can help you develop the communication skills you need to gather requirements, analyze data, and present your findings in a clear and concise manner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Technical Writer

Technical Writers document complex information in a way that is easy to understand and accessible to users. This course, English Communication for Tech Professionals, can be extremely useful as it helps you improve your vocabulary and communication skills, both of which are important for writing user manuals, instructional guides, and other technical documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

IT Consultant

IT consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to use technology to achieve their business goals. This course can help you develop the communication skills you need to build relationships with clients, understand their needs, and develop effective solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights to businesses. This course can help you develop the communication skills you need to present your findings in a clear and concise manner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Product Manager

Product managers work with engineers, designers, and marketers to define the vision and roadmap for a product. This course can help you develop the communication skills necessary to clearly articulate your ideas and persuade others to support your vision.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course can help you develop the communication skills you need to create compelling marketing materials and deliver presentations to potential customers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales managers lead sales teams and develop sales strategies. This course can help you develop the communication skills you need to motivate your team, close deals, and build relationships with customers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Customer Success Manager

Customer success managers ensure that customers are satisfied with a company's products and services. This course can help you develop the communication skills you need to build relationships with customers, resolve issues, and provide support.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager

Technical Support Specialist

Technical support specialists provide technical support to customers. This course can help you develop the communication skills you need to effectively troubleshoot problems and provide solutions to customers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist

Network Administrator

Network administrators manage computer networks. This course may be useful as it provides you with the vocabulary and communication skills you need to work with technical and non-technical colleagues and clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Database Administrator

Database administrators manage databases. This course may be useful as it provides you with the vocabulary and communication skills you need to work with technical and non-technical colleagues and clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Systems Administrator

Systems administrators manage computer systems. This course may be useful as it provides you with the vocabulary and communication skills you need to work with technical and non-technical colleagues and clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator