Module 2: Developing Communication Skills (Intermediate – Business English)
This module focuses on developing your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in a professional setting.
Learning Objectives:
- You will be able to participate effectively in meetings by expressing your opinions and making suggestions clearly and concisely.
- You will be able to deliver well-organized presentations using visuals to support your ideas.
- You will learn proper business telephone etiquette for effective communication.
- You will develop negotiation skills to reach mutually beneficial agreements.
- You will be able to write clear, concise, and professional business emails and reports.
- You will understand and use common business jargon in various contexts.
Lesson Schedule:
Week 1: Participating in Meetings
- Speaking:
- Role-playing different meeting scenarios (e.g., brainstorming sessions, progress reports)
- Practicing vocabulary for expressing opinions (e.g., “In my opinion…”, “I would argue that…”) and making suggestions (e.g., “Perhaps we could…”, “I suggest we…”)
- Giving and receiving constructive feedback
- Listening:
- Active listening exercises to improve comprehension of key points and speaker intent
- Identifying different types of communication styles in meetings (assertive, passive-aggressive)
- Summarizing key discussion points
- Reading:
- Case studies of successful and unsuccessful meetings
- Articles on effective communication strategies in meetings
- Writing:
- Meeting agendas and minutes
- Action items with clear deadlines and responsibilities
Week 2: Giving Presentations
- Speaking:
- Organizing presentations using clear structure (introduction, body, conclusion)
- Delivering presentations with appropriate body language and vocal variety
- Practicing answering questions from the audience
- Listening:
- Identifying the speaker’s main points and supporting arguments
- Recognizing different presentation styles (informative, persuasive)
- Reading:
- Articles on creating effective presentations
- Examples of strong presentation outlines
- Visuals:
- Creating clear and concise slides using appropriate visuals (e.g., charts, graphs, images)
- Delivering presentations with effective use of visuals
Week 3: Business Telephone Etiquette
- Speaking:
- Role-playing various business telephone scenarios (e.g., introducing yourself, taking messages, transferring calls)
- Practicing clear and polite telephone communication
- Leaving professional voicemail messages
- Listening:
- Active listening exercises for phone conversations
- Identifying key information in phone calls (names, dates, deadlines)
- Reading:
- Articles on best practices for business telephone etiquette
- Scripts for common business phone conversations
Week 4: Negotiation Skills
- Speaking:
- Role-playing negotiation scenarios (e.g., salary negotiations, contracts)
- Practicing negotiation techniques (win-win solutions, active listening, clear communication)
- Listening:
- Identifying the other party’s needs and interests
- Recognizing different negotiation styles (assertive, collaborative)
- Reading:
- Articles on effective negotiation strategies
- Case studies of successful business negotiations
Week 5: Writing Business Emails and Reports
- Writing:
- Structuring clear and concise business emails (subject line, greeting, body, closing)
- Using appropriate tone and formality in writing
- Writing professional reports with clear introductions, findings, and recommendations
- Reading:
- Examples of effective and ineffective business emails and reports
- Guidelines for writing clear and concise business documents
- Listening:
- Providing constructive feedback on written business communication
Week 6: Understanding Business Jargon
- Reading:
- Articles and case studies using common business jargon
- Glossaries of business terms
- Speaking & Listening:
- Matching business jargon terms to their definitions
- Using business jargon in context during role-playing exercises and discussions
Assessment:
- Participation in class discussions and role-playing activities
- Individual presentation
- Written business email or report
- Negotiation role-play scenario
Resources:
- Course textbook with business communication exercises
- Online resources on business communication skills (e.g., business communication websites, podcasts)
This is a detailed lesson plan for Module 2: Developing Communication Skills. The activities and resources will be adapted to suit your specific needs and interests.
Study Business English Module 1 – Business English – Module 1: Foundation Business English
Study Business English Module 2 – Business English – Module 2: Developing Communication Skills
Study Business English Module 3 – Business English – Module 3: Industry-Specific Vocabulary
