Business Communication
Self-study Course 1
(International Entrepreneurship)
(Update: 12 Sep 2023)
1
,Table of Contents
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... 2
1 Career plans (1): Having an informal conversation about your career plans ............................ 5
1.1 Story/dialogue .......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Grammar concepts................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2.1 Future tenses and ways to talk about the future ................................................. 6
1.3 Reading ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3.1 How to write an application letter (with examples) ............................................. 6
1.4 Listening .................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.4.1 Three C’s of business communication ..................................................................... 6
1.5 Further reading and sources .................................................................................................................. 6
1.5.1 Word list ....................................................................................................................... 6
1.5.2 Deleted Essentials ...................................................................................................... 8
1.6 Vocabulary chapter: Work ...................................................................................................................... 8
2 Career plans (2): Asking questions at a job interview ..................................................................... 9
2.1 Story/dialogue .......................................................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Grammar concepts................................................................................................................................. 10
2.2.1 Conditional clauses .................................................................................................. 10
2.2.2 The plurals of abbreviations and acronyms ......................................................... 10
2.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.3.1 CVs and cover letters ............................................................................................... 11
2.3.2 CV template ............................................................................................................... 11
2.4 Listening .................................................................................................................................................. 11
2.4.1 Different types of study education system (Videsh Consultz, India) .............. 11
2.4.2 Explaining university terms (Australia) ................................................................. 11
2.5 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 11
2.5.1 How to ask about salary and benefits in a job interview ................................... 11
2.5.2 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 11
2.5.3 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 12
2.6 Vocabulary chapter: The Company ..................................................................................................... 12
3 Induction training (1): Introducing myself to a colleague ............................................................ 13
3.1 Story/dialogue ........................................................................................................................................ 13
3.2 Grammar concepts................................................................................................................................. 14
3.2.1 Structure: paragraphs, topic sentence and supporting sentences .................. 14
3.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 15
3.3.1 Types of business ..................................................................................................... 15
3.3.2 Types of business (2) ................................................................................................ 15
3.4 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 15
3.4.1 How to introduce yourself at work ....................................................................... 15
3.4.2 How to introduce yourself at a new job ............................................................... 15
3.4.3 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 15
3.4.4 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 16
3.4.5 Questions ................................................................................................................... 16
2
,4 Induction training (2): Talking formally about the company and the job of my dreams ...... 18
4.1 Story/dialogue ........................................................................................................................................ 18
4.2 Grammar concepts................................................................................................................................. 19
4.2.1 Tag questions ............................................................................................................ 19
4.2.2 Verb complements ................................................................................................... 19
4.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 20
4.3.1 Organisation chart of a company........................................................................... 20
4.3.2 4 types of organizational structure: definition and types ................................. 20
4.4 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 20
4.4.1 The Difference Between Mission And Vision Statement .................................. 20
4.4.2 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 20
4.4.3 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 21
4.5 Vocabulary chapter: Products & Services .......................................................................................... 21
5 HRM (1): Conducting appraisal reviews ............................................................................................. 22
5.1 Story/dialogue ........................................................................................................................................ 22
5.2 Grammar concept(s) .............................................................................................................................. 23
5.2.1 Past simple or present perfect............................................................................... 23
5.2.2 Common errors made by non-native speakers when forming negative
sentences and questions ............................................................................................................... 23
5.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 23
5.3.1 Payslip......................................................................................................................... 23
5.4 Listening .................................................................................................................................................. 24
5.4.1 Barbara Corcoran Explains How To Ask For A Raise ........................................... 24
5.5 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 24
5.5.1 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 24
5.5.2 Deleted essentials .................................................................................................... 24
6 HRM (2): Reporting on quantitative research results.................................................................... 25
6.1 Story/dialogue ........................................................................................................................................ 25
6.2 Grammar concept(s) .............................................................................................................................. 26
6.2.1 Countability ............................................................................................................... 26
6.2.2 Expressing quantity.................................................................................................. 26
6.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 27
6.3.1 Examples of graphs .................................................................................................. 27
6.3.2 How to describe charts and graphs ....................................................................... 27
6.4 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 27
6.4.1 Useful phrases to describe graphs ........................................................................ 27
6.4.2 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 27
6.4.3 Deleted essentials .................................................................................................... 27
6.5 Vocabulary chapter: Expressions of Quantity................................................................................... 28
7 Project management: Setting up a project....................................................................................... 29
7.1 Story ......................................................................................................................................................... 29
7.2 Grammar concepts................................................................................................................................. 30
7.2.1 Conditionals (continued): 3rd and mixed conditionals ...................................... 30
7.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 31
7.3.1 Linking Words for Writing Reports, Essays, or Emails ....................................... 31
7.3.2 The Stages of Group Formation for Team Development .................................. 31
3
, 7.3.3. Meeting Minutes...................................................................................................... 31
7.4 Listening .................................................................................................................................................. 32
7.4.1 How to write an effective business email ............................................................ 32
7.4.2 Scrum training series................................................................................................ 32
7.5 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 32
7.5.1 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 32
7.5.2 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 33
8 Finance: Managing the company’s accounts .................................................................................... 34
8.1 Story/dialogue ........................................................................................................................................ 34
8.2 Grammar concept(s) .............................................................................................................................. 35
8.2.1 Rules for writing numbers ...................................................................................... 35
8.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 35
8.3.1 Balance sheet ............................................................................................................ 35
8.3.2 Income statement .................................................................................................... 35
8.4 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 35
8.4.1 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 35
8.4.2 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 36
8.5 Vocabulary chapter: Finances .............................................................................................................. 36
9 Marketing (1): Conducting a market survey ..................................................................................... 37
9.1 Story ......................................................................................................................................................... 37
9.2 Grammar concept(s) .............................................................................................................................. 38
9.2.1 Adjectives for probability ........................................................................................ 38
9.2.2 Modals expressing probability ............................................................................... 38
9.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 38
9.3.1 Sample Market Research Questionnaire .............................................................. 38
9.4 Listening .................................................................................................................................................. 38
9.4.1 How to find out exactly what your customers want .......................................... 38
9.5 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 38
9.5.1 7 Critical Market Research Survey Questions Every Marketer Should Ask .... 38
9.5.2 The Most Insightful Market Research Questions You Can Ask ........................ 38
9.5.3 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 38
9.5.4 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 39
10 Marketing (2): Collecting data about a target market ................................................................ 40
10.1 Story ....................................................................................................................................................... 40
10.2 Grammar concept(s) ............................................................................................................................ 41
10.2.1 Reported speech .................................................................................................... 41
10.3 Reading.................................................................................................................................................. 42
10.3.1 Example of a data sheet ........................................................................................ 42
10.3.2 Mexico (Wikipedia) ................................................................................................. 42
10.4 Listening ................................................................................................................................................ 42
10.4.1 6 Questions to ask to find your target audience .............................................. 42
10.5 Further reading and sources .............................................................................................................. 42
10.5.1 Word list ................................................................................................................... 42
10.5.2 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................. 43
10.6 Vocabulary chapter: Marketing ......................................................................................................... 43
4
Self-study Course 1
(International Entrepreneurship)
(Update: 12 Sep 2023)
1
,Table of Contents
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... 2
1 Career plans (1): Having an informal conversation about your career plans ............................ 5
1.1 Story/dialogue .......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Grammar concepts................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2.1 Future tenses and ways to talk about the future ................................................. 6
1.3 Reading ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3.1 How to write an application letter (with examples) ............................................. 6
1.4 Listening .................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.4.1 Three C’s of business communication ..................................................................... 6
1.5 Further reading and sources .................................................................................................................. 6
1.5.1 Word list ....................................................................................................................... 6
1.5.2 Deleted Essentials ...................................................................................................... 8
1.6 Vocabulary chapter: Work ...................................................................................................................... 8
2 Career plans (2): Asking questions at a job interview ..................................................................... 9
2.1 Story/dialogue .......................................................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Grammar concepts................................................................................................................................. 10
2.2.1 Conditional clauses .................................................................................................. 10
2.2.2 The plurals of abbreviations and acronyms ......................................................... 10
2.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.3.1 CVs and cover letters ............................................................................................... 11
2.3.2 CV template ............................................................................................................... 11
2.4 Listening .................................................................................................................................................. 11
2.4.1 Different types of study education system (Videsh Consultz, India) .............. 11
2.4.2 Explaining university terms (Australia) ................................................................. 11
2.5 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 11
2.5.1 How to ask about salary and benefits in a job interview ................................... 11
2.5.2 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 11
2.5.3 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 12
2.6 Vocabulary chapter: The Company ..................................................................................................... 12
3 Induction training (1): Introducing myself to a colleague ............................................................ 13
3.1 Story/dialogue ........................................................................................................................................ 13
3.2 Grammar concepts................................................................................................................................. 14
3.2.1 Structure: paragraphs, topic sentence and supporting sentences .................. 14
3.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 15
3.3.1 Types of business ..................................................................................................... 15
3.3.2 Types of business (2) ................................................................................................ 15
3.4 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 15
3.4.1 How to introduce yourself at work ....................................................................... 15
3.4.2 How to introduce yourself at a new job ............................................................... 15
3.4.3 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 15
3.4.4 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 16
3.4.5 Questions ................................................................................................................... 16
2
,4 Induction training (2): Talking formally about the company and the job of my dreams ...... 18
4.1 Story/dialogue ........................................................................................................................................ 18
4.2 Grammar concepts................................................................................................................................. 19
4.2.1 Tag questions ............................................................................................................ 19
4.2.2 Verb complements ................................................................................................... 19
4.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 20
4.3.1 Organisation chart of a company........................................................................... 20
4.3.2 4 types of organizational structure: definition and types ................................. 20
4.4 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 20
4.4.1 The Difference Between Mission And Vision Statement .................................. 20
4.4.2 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 20
4.4.3 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 21
4.5 Vocabulary chapter: Products & Services .......................................................................................... 21
5 HRM (1): Conducting appraisal reviews ............................................................................................. 22
5.1 Story/dialogue ........................................................................................................................................ 22
5.2 Grammar concept(s) .............................................................................................................................. 23
5.2.1 Past simple or present perfect............................................................................... 23
5.2.2 Common errors made by non-native speakers when forming negative
sentences and questions ............................................................................................................... 23
5.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 23
5.3.1 Payslip......................................................................................................................... 23
5.4 Listening .................................................................................................................................................. 24
5.4.1 Barbara Corcoran Explains How To Ask For A Raise ........................................... 24
5.5 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 24
5.5.1 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 24
5.5.2 Deleted essentials .................................................................................................... 24
6 HRM (2): Reporting on quantitative research results.................................................................... 25
6.1 Story/dialogue ........................................................................................................................................ 25
6.2 Grammar concept(s) .............................................................................................................................. 26
6.2.1 Countability ............................................................................................................... 26
6.2.2 Expressing quantity.................................................................................................. 26
6.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 27
6.3.1 Examples of graphs .................................................................................................. 27
6.3.2 How to describe charts and graphs ....................................................................... 27
6.4 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 27
6.4.1 Useful phrases to describe graphs ........................................................................ 27
6.4.2 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 27
6.4.3 Deleted essentials .................................................................................................... 27
6.5 Vocabulary chapter: Expressions of Quantity................................................................................... 28
7 Project management: Setting up a project....................................................................................... 29
7.1 Story ......................................................................................................................................................... 29
7.2 Grammar concepts................................................................................................................................. 30
7.2.1 Conditionals (continued): 3rd and mixed conditionals ...................................... 30
7.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 31
7.3.1 Linking Words for Writing Reports, Essays, or Emails ....................................... 31
7.3.2 The Stages of Group Formation for Team Development .................................. 31
3
, 7.3.3. Meeting Minutes...................................................................................................... 31
7.4 Listening .................................................................................................................................................. 32
7.4.1 How to write an effective business email ............................................................ 32
7.4.2 Scrum training series................................................................................................ 32
7.5 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 32
7.5.1 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 32
7.5.2 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 33
8 Finance: Managing the company’s accounts .................................................................................... 34
8.1 Story/dialogue ........................................................................................................................................ 34
8.2 Grammar concept(s) .............................................................................................................................. 35
8.2.1 Rules for writing numbers ...................................................................................... 35
8.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 35
8.3.1 Balance sheet ............................................................................................................ 35
8.3.2 Income statement .................................................................................................... 35
8.4 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 35
8.4.1 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 35
8.4.2 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 36
8.5 Vocabulary chapter: Finances .............................................................................................................. 36
9 Marketing (1): Conducting a market survey ..................................................................................... 37
9.1 Story ......................................................................................................................................................... 37
9.2 Grammar concept(s) .............................................................................................................................. 38
9.2.1 Adjectives for probability ........................................................................................ 38
9.2.2 Modals expressing probability ............................................................................... 38
9.3 Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 38
9.3.1 Sample Market Research Questionnaire .............................................................. 38
9.4 Listening .................................................................................................................................................. 38
9.4.1 How to find out exactly what your customers want .......................................... 38
9.5 Further reading and sources ................................................................................................................ 38
9.5.1 7 Critical Market Research Survey Questions Every Marketer Should Ask .... 38
9.5.2 The Most Insightful Market Research Questions You Can Ask ........................ 38
9.5.3 Word list ..................................................................................................................... 38
9.5.4 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................... 39
10 Marketing (2): Collecting data about a target market ................................................................ 40
10.1 Story ....................................................................................................................................................... 40
10.2 Grammar concept(s) ............................................................................................................................ 41
10.2.1 Reported speech .................................................................................................... 41
10.3 Reading.................................................................................................................................................. 42
10.3.1 Example of a data sheet ........................................................................................ 42
10.3.2 Mexico (Wikipedia) ................................................................................................. 42
10.4 Listening ................................................................................................................................................ 42
10.4.1 6 Questions to ask to find your target audience .............................................. 42
10.5 Further reading and sources .............................................................................................................. 42
10.5.1 Word list ................................................................................................................... 42
10.5.2 Deleted Essentials .................................................................................................. 43
10.6 Vocabulary chapter: Marketing ......................................................................................................... 43
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