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Business English for Cross-cultural Communication

Approx. 22 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Learn how to communicate effectively across cultures in a business setting with this cross-cultural communication course. Gain key skills and knowledge to succeed in today's global marketplace.

Key Learning Points

Understand the impact of culture on communication in a business setting
Learn strategies for effective communication across cultures
Develop skills to build strong cross-cultural relationships

Learning Outcomes

Understand the complexities of cross-cultural communication in a business setting
Develop cultural intelligence and sensitivity to build strong relationships
Apply effective communication strategies to succeed in a global marketplace

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of business communication
Fluent in English (course is taught in English)

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video lectures
Quizzes
Peer-reviewed assignments

Similar Courses

Cross-Cultural Management
Global Business Management
International Marketing

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Erin Meyer
Fons Trompenaars

Related Books

Description

This course aims to prepare you for working in an cross-cultural Business setting. We'll learn about common cross-cultural theories and how they are relevant to everyday business practices in a globalised world. By combining all of your vocabulary, reading, speaking, and writing skills that you acquired in the previous three courses, you will learn how language plays an important role in cross-cultural communication. You will also enhance your cross-cultural understanding and will be able to use vocabulary, tone and style, and spoken and written communication skills within a cross-cultural Business context. Skills learned in this course help prepare you to deliver the professional business presentation in the Capstone project.

After completing this course, you will be able to: - identify possible cross-cultural issues and misunderstandings in communication - apply strategies to overcome possible cross-cultural issues and misunderstandings in communication - produce documents with an appropriate style for business communication purposes within a cross-cultural situation - deliver a speech with an appropriate style for business communication purposes within a cross-cultural situation

Outline

Welcome module
Welcome
Objectives and outcomes
Learning how to learn
Learning vocabulary
The HKUST Grammar Guide

What is culture?
What is culture?
English as a Lingua Franca
Challenging grammar: comparative and superlative forms
Challenging English sounds /ʃ/ "sherry" and /ʧ/ "cherry"s
Objectives and outcomes
Vocabulary prep
Can we define culture?
Objectives and outcomes
Vocabulary list
More on comparative and superlative forms
Relatively, rather, compared to
Vocabulary practice
Vocabulary practice
Module 2

Culture and communication strategies
Digital communication
The cultural situation - Part 1
The cultural situation - Part 2
Cultural strategy - Writing
Cultural strategy: Speaking (Part 1)
Cultural strategy: Speaking (Part 2)
Challenging English Grammar: Connective choice
Challenging English Sounds - /ŋ/ “thing” and /ŋk/ “think”
Rhythm, stress and pausing
Vocabulary prep
Cross-cultural communication barriers
Avoiding cultural faux pas in international business
Objectives and outcomes
Vocabulary list
Adverb and Connective Choice
List of conjuncts
Peer review practice: Sample of a culturally insensitive email
Vocabulary prep
Vocabulary practice
Culturally insensitive email: peer review practice
Module 3

Culture and management communication
Hofstede's cultural dimensions
Cross-cultural communication skills for management
Directness of language
Challenging English Grammar:The continuous tense
Challenging English sounds: /w/ "west"-v- /v/ "vest"
More on Hofstede's cultural dimensions
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions: applications, further studies, and criticisms
Objectives and outcomes
Vocabulary list
More on the continuous (past, present, future)
Vocabulary practice
Module 4

Culture, application and ethics
Applying Cultural Frameworks
Business Negotiations
Applying Cultural Frameworks in Business Ethics
Challenging English Sounds-/l/ "light" and /r/ "right"
Challenging English Grammar: Misplaced modifiers & dangling participles
Analyzing case studies
Directness of communication - in Cross Cultural Contexts
Objectives and outcomes
Vocabulary list
More on misplaced modifiers & dangling participles
Vocabulary practice
Module 5

Concluding module
Final exam

Summary of User Reviews

Read reviews for Cross-Cultural Communication for Business course on Coursera. Users rate this course highly and find it helpful in understanding cultural differences in business communication. Many users appreciated the practical examples and interactive exercises provided in the course.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Practical examples and interactive exercises

Pros from User Reviews

Clear and concise lessons
Engaging and interactive course materials
Helpful in improving cross-cultural communication skills
Great resource for business professionals
Flexible learning schedule

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course content repetitive
Not enough emphasis on certain cultures
No opportunity for direct interaction with the instructor
Some users found the course too basic
Not enough focus on non-verbal communication

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