ENG401: Business English for the United States
Welcome to Business English, a course designed to deepen your understanding of business language and documentation in English across different professional contexts. This course focuses on specialized vocabulary, communication strategies, and document types essential for international business environments, particularly in the United States.
📱 Course Designer
Professor: Alaina Brandt
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alainambrandt/
🎯 Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Produce professional business communications appropriate for diverse contexts and audiences
- Analyze and create specialized business documentation including legal, financial, and technical texts
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of business terminology across various professional domains
- Apply appropriate communication strategies for cross-cultural business contexts
- Evaluate and respond to changing business environments using proper business English
- Deliver effective presentations and reports using specialized business vocabulary
đź“š Course Structure
The course is structured into five thematic units that progressively build your knowledge and skills.
| Unit | Weeks | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Business Communication & Ethics | 1-3 | Professional communication formats, presentation skills, and ethical frameworks |
| Unit 2: Legal & Financial Frameworks | 4-6 | Specialized terminology in contracts, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance |
| Unit 3: Production & Quality Processes | 7-9 | Technical specifications, project management, and quality assurance systems |
| Unit 4: People & Relationships | 10-12 | Intercultural competency, internal communications, and leadership language |
| Unit 5: Global Business & Technology | 13-15 | International business documentation, digital tools, and innovation terminology |
| Final Projects | 16-18 | Show & Tell Presentation and Report |
🎓 Final Project: Show & Tell
The course concludes with a “Show & Tell” project that simulates authentic business communication:
- “Show”: Professional presentation with visual aids
- “Tell”: Detailed written business report
- Contemporary topics: Of your choosing that are related to course content and global business trends
đź“‹ Assessment Overview
- Attendance & Participation: 30% (2 points weekly, 15 weeks required)
- General Assignments: 30% (10 assignments Ă— 3 points each)
- Partial Evaluations: 30% (3 evaluations Ă— 10% each)
- Final Project: 10% (Integrated “Show & Tell” project)
đź’ˇ Success Tips
- 6-8 hours weekly work expected outside class
- Review materials before class meetings for effective participation
- Start assignments early to have time for questions
- 30-minute rule: Research independently, consult peers, then contact an expert
🤖 Using Course Materials with GAI Tools
All course content is written in Markdown format for easy integration with AI learning tools. Content written in markdown format can be better “understood” by generative AI tools, as the hierarchy and emphasis of content is clearly communicated through symbols. You can learn more about the philosophy behind the Markdown design here: How to Use these Course Contents.
🚀 Ready to Begin?
Review the complete Course Overview including policies and final project details or go ahead and get started with Unit 1: Business Communication & Ethics.