Course Summary
This course teaches English language skills specifically for business writing. You will learn how to communicate effectively in various business contexts and improve your writing skills for professional purposes.Key Learning Points
- Learn how to write effective emails, reports, and proposals for business purposes
- Develop English language skills for business communication
- Understand cultural differences in business communication
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Develop English language skills for business communication
- Write effective emails, reports, and proposals for business purposes
- Understand cultural differences in business communication
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Intermediate level of English proficiency
- Access to a computer and internet
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
- Video lectures
- Interactive quizzes
Similar Courses
- Business Writing
- Business Communication
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Amy Cuddy
- Simon Sinek
Related Books
Description
This course aims to improve your Business English writing skills by developing your use of vocabulary, grammar, understanding of different business writing genres, and your ability to write professional business documents. Skills learned in this course will be used in the cross-cultural communications course and help prepare you to produce the professional business documents in the Capstone project.
Outline
- Welcome Module
- Introduction to our Specialization
- How this course is organized
- Objectives and outcomes
- Learning how to learn
- Learning vocabulary
- The HKUST grammar guide
- Business writing genres
- Business writing genres
- Business letters, memos and emails: The basics
- Report writing
- The writing process, part 1
- Challenging grammar: -ing vs. -ed
- Objectives and outcomes
- Objectives and outcomes
- Vocabulary list
- Commonly confused words
- Sentence pattern you should know #1
- Vocabulary quiz
- Challenging grammar: -ing vs. -ed
- Module 2 Quiz
- Writing emails
- Effective emailing
- Context and directness
- Writing to persuade
- Rhetorical devices
- The writing process, part 2
- Paragraphing
- Challenging grammar: Missing verb 'to be'
- Objectives and outcomes
- What do we mean when we say, 'rhetoric'?
- The concept of kairos
- Peer-review practice: Sample persuasive email
- Objectives and outcomes
- Vocabulary list
- Sentence pattern you should know #2
- Peer review practice: Sample email
- Using the Direct Approach practice
- Writing to persuade practice
- Peer-review practice: Persuasive email
- Vocabulary quiz
- How concise are you?
- Pattern #2 Independent Clause: Appositive
- Module 3 Quiz
- Peer review practice
- Writing memos
- Writing memos
- Audience, purpose, tone and style
- Plain English
- Gender sensitive language
- Active and passive voice
- Challenging grammar: Comma splice
- Objectives and outcomes
- Objectives and outcomes
- Vocabulary list
- Sentence patterns you should know #3 & #4
- Reasons to use the passive voice
- Tone & Style – Avoid using clichés in your writing
- Peer review practice: Sample memo with errors
- Peer-review practice: Sample memo
- Plain English practice
- Vocabulary quiz
- Practising your active and passive voice
- Tone & Style – Avoid using clichés in your writing
- Module 4 Quiz
- Peer review practice quiz for grammar and vocabulary errors
- Peer-review practice quiz for memo
- Writing executive summaries
- Elements of an executive summary
- Presenting data
- Nominalization
- Challenging grammar: Possessive form
- Objectives and outcomes
- General organization of an executive summary
- Linking ideas
- Business Case: Sustainable Seafood for a Sustainable Future
- Objectives and outcomes
- Vocabulary list
- Connotation
- The prepositional of-phrase
- Sentence patterns you should know #5 & #6
- Peer-review practice: Sample executive summary
- Presenting data
- Vocabulary quiz
- Module 5 Quiz
- Peer-review practice quiz
- Concluding module
- Post-course survey
- Final exam
Summary of User Reviews
The English for Business Writing course on Coursera has received positive reviews from many users. The course has been praised for its practical approach and helpful feedback. Many users have found that the course has improved their writing skills and has been a valuable investment in their professional development.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
Many users have praised the practical approach of the course and the helpful feedback provided by the instructors.Pros from User Reviews
- The course is well structured and easy to follow.
- The instructors are knowledgeable and provide helpful feedback.
- The course covers a range of topics relevant to business writing.
- The course is a good value for the price.
- The course is suitable for both native and non-native English speakers.
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users have found the course to be too basic for their level of writing experience.
- Some users have reported technical issues with the platform.
- Some users have found the peer review process to be inconsistent.
- Some users have felt that the course could benefit from more interactive elements.
- Some users have found the course to be too time-consuming.