About this course: Do you work in finance or interact with finance professionals? Is it necessary to speak, write or understand English in your career? Follow the authentic characters in this course as they work through common business situations in finance and economics. Learn from your successes and failure, and think critically about your own communication options. After taking this course, you will be able to read and create efficient e-mails, reports, and impactful presentations with words and phrases commonly used in finance and economics. Communicate clearly under pressure utilizing recently learned strategies, and obtain immediate feedback about the efficiency of your business communication skills in English from other finance professionals around the world! Gain the English communication skills that you desire and that global managers expect.
Created by: Arizona State University
Taught by: Andrea Mürau Haraway, International Educator
Arizona State University, Global Launch
Taught by: Wanda Huber, International Educator
Arizona State University Global Launch
Taught by: Jenny Young, International Educator
Arizona State University Global Launch
Taught by: Beatriz Fuentes-Anderson, International Educator
Arizona State University Global Launch
| Basic Info | Course 2 of 4 in the Business English Specialization |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Commitment | 6 weeks of study, 1-2 hours per week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Spanish |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Budgeting
While in the budgeting process, Catherine asks managers to keep their expenses flat. Jake, however, ignores this request believing he can increase sales by spending more on promotions. How do you think Catherine handles this situation? In this week, you’ll watch Catherine and Jake talk about his budget. You’ll observe how she uses questions to help Jake think of ways to meet both of their needs. After completing this week, you’ll be able to form questions that lead to open and honest conversations and produce positive results.
6 videos, 11 readings, 5 practice quizzes
- Reading: 1.1 Weekly Goals and Advice from Instructors
- Video: 1.2 Shaving Off 5%
- Reading: 1.3 Vocabulary Preview: Budgeting
- Video: 1.4 Probing Questions
- Reading: 1.5 How to ask the right questions: A Framework for Asking
- Practice Quiz: 1.6 Probing Questions
- Reading: 1.7 Probing Question Stems
- Practice Quiz: 1.8 Probing Question Stems
- Reading: 1.9 Asking the right questions? Have Intellectual Curiosity
- Video: 1.10 Open Communication
- Practice Quiz: 1.11 Open Communication
- Reading: Bonus: Worksheet for Practicing How to Say Numbers
- Reading: Bonus: Sensitivity to Criticism Test
- Video: 1.12 Forming Yes/No Questions
- Practice Quiz: 1.13 Forming Yes/No Questions
- Video: 1.14 Forming WH Questions
- Reading: 1.15 "Your Company's Culture" An article with lots of WH-questions
- Practice Quiz: 1.16 Forming WH Questions
- Reading: 1.17 Getting to Yes: Interest versus Positions
- Reading: 1.18 Budget Review Worksheet (Use with Review: Budgeting)
- Video: 1.19 Review: Budgeting
- Peer Review: 1.20 Consult and Probe
- Reading: 1.22 Quizlet Vocabulary Practice: Budgeting
Graded: 1.21 Week 1 Test
WEEK 2
Forecasting
You’ve collected the data, done the analysis, made the forecasts. Now, you must be able to clearly explain your conclusions. After completing this week, you’ll be more prepared for this difficult task. You’ll practice useful language for describing the whole story represented in your charts and graphs and use strategies for staying calm and avoiding defensiveness when challenged. With Catherine as a model in The Challenge, you’ll be off to a good start.
6 videos, 9 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: 2.1 Weekly Goals and Advice from Instructors
- Video: 2.2 Catherine's Solid Forecasts
- Reading: 2.3 Vocabulary Preview: Forecasting
- Video: 2.4 Answering Questions Without Defensiveness
- Practice Quiz: 2.5 Answering Questions Without Defensiveness
- Video: 2.6 Chart Communication
- Reading: 2.7 How to give a great financial presentation by telling a story
- Reading: 2.8 Secrets of Reading Financial Reports
- Reading: 2.9 How to Organize your Story and Other Hints
- Practice Quiz: 2.10 Chart Communication/Storytelling
- Reading: Bonus: "4 Magic Phrases"
- Video: 2.11 Transition Phrases for Contrast and Additions
- Practice Quiz: 2.12 Transition Phrases for Contrast and Additions
- Video: 2.13 Transition Phrases for Cause and Effect
- Practice Quiz: 2.14 Transition Phrases for Cause and Effect
- Reading: 2.15 More Transition Phrases for Cause/Effect, Contrast and Addition
- Reading: 2.16 Review Companion Worksheet
- Video: 2.17 Review (Watch with Companion Worksheet)
- Discussion Prompt: 2.18 Financial Storyteller: Discussion and Help for the Peer Review Assignment
- Peer Review: 2.19 Financial Storyteller
- Reading: 2.21 Quizlet Vocabulary Practice: Forecasting
Graded: 2.20 Week 2 Chapter Test
WEEK 3
Purchasing
Approving a large expenditure means many hours of giving and taking, of persuading and conceding. This can be a painful process, but it doesn’t need to be. Follow a process that will take the pain away. Learn the language and the process for successfully negotiating solutions where everyone is happy. After completing this week, you’ll be able to follow a process and use the language for negotiating win-win solutions. You’ll also be able to recognize tricky ethical situations where your integrity can shine.
6 videos, 8 readings, 5 practice quizzes
- Reading: 3.1 Weekly Goals and Advice from Instructors
- Video: 3.2 Tooling Options
- Reading: 3.3 Vocabulary Preview: Purchasing
- Video: 3.4 Making Concessions
- Reading: 3.5 Conceed to Your Ego: A Video
- Discussion Prompt: 3.6 Does Concession Mean Losing?
- Practice Quiz: 3.7 Making Concessions
- Video: 3.8 Maintaining Integrity
- Reading: 3.9 Five Ways to See if your Business Integrity is Showing
- Practice Quiz: 3.10 Maintaining Integrity
- Reading: 3.11 The 6 Types of Socratic Questions
- Practice Quiz: 3.12 Socratic Questions and Business Integrity Showing
- Video: 3.13 Persuasive Language-Logic
- Practice Quiz: 3.14 Persuasive Language-Logic
- Reading: 3.15 More Phrases for Concession and Counter Arguments
- Video: 3.16 Phrases for Concession
- Practice Quiz: 3.17 Phrases for Concession
- Reading: 3.18 Review Companion Worksheet: How to Negotiate a Win Win
- Video: 3.19 Review
- Discussion Prompt: 3.20 Vocabulary Power
- Peer Review: 3.21 Questions for Mr. President
- Reading: 3.23 Quizlet Vocabulary Practice: Purchasing
Graded: 3.22 Week 3 Chapter Test
WEEK 4
Auditing
“What documentation do you need?” “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time.” These statements are commonly heard while preparing for an audit. Do you have to have super powers to get everyone to just do what you ask? Although you may not have super powers, you definitely have the power to lead others. After completing this week, you’ll be able to recognize 5 types of power, influence positive interactions, and find words that carry the tone of your intended meaning.
6 videos, 10 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: 4.1 Weekly Goals and Advice From Instructors
- Video: 4.2 Mary Gains Confidence
- Reading: 4.3 Vocabulary Preview: Auditing
- Video: 4.4 Types of Power
- Reading: 4.5 Auditors and Power Relationships: How Can We Get Along?
- Reading: 4.6 William Ury: NO Means Yes ~ Tell that to Your Auditor!
- Practice Quiz: 4.7 Types of Power
- Video: 4.8 How to Use Different Types of Power
- Reading: 4.9 Five Ways To Get Anyone To Do Anything
- Discussion Prompt: 4.10 The Ury/Dwyer Super Power Probe: A Challenging Discussion
- Practice Quiz: 4.11 Using Different Types of Power
- Video: 4.12 Speaking Tone
- Reading: 4.13 Sound of Confidence: Amy Cuddy's Power Poses
- Reading: 4.14 Three Productive Language Choices
- Practice Quiz: 4.15 Speaking Tone and Body Language
- Reading: 4.16 Writing Tone Companion Email: Delay in analytic software launch
- Video: 4.17 Writing Tone
- Practice Quiz: 4.18 Writing Tone
- Reading: Bonus: Super Cool Comparison Tool for Analyzing How Well Your Writing Style Matches Others
- Video: 4.19 Review: Auditing
- Peer Review: 4.20 Auditor Admiration
- Reading: 4.22 Quizlet Vocabulary Practice: Auditing
Graded: 4.21 Week 4 Chapter Test
WEEK 5
Economics
So many trends to follow, so little time. After completing this week, you’ll be able to use reading strategies for quickly finding and comprehending the information and vocabulary you need--even from difficult texts.
6 videos, 8 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: 5.1 Weekly Goals and Advice from Instructors
- Video: 5.2 Seeing Things Clearly
- Reading: 5.3 Vocabulary Preview: Economics
- Reading: 5.4 These are the Econ Blogs you Need to Read
- Discussion Prompt: 5.5 Which are the Econ Blogs you Recommend? Let's Discuss
- Video: 5.6 Reading Strategies
- Practice Quiz: 5.7 Reading Strategies
- Reading: 5.8 Applying Reading Strategies Companion Article
- Video: 5.9 Applying Reading Strategies
- Reading: 5.10 On The Move In China
- Discussion Prompt: 5.11 Trends: Let's Discuss
- Video: 5.12 Phrases for Increase/Decrease
- Reading: 5.13 More Phrases Used For Increase/Decrease
- Reading: 5.14 Idioms and Words Difficult to Translate in Business
- Video: 5.15 Untranslatable Phrases
- Discussion Prompt: 5.16 Take the Idiom Challenge! And Go out with a Bang
- Video: 5.17 Review: Economics
- Peer Review: 5.18 Trends are for Sharing
- Reading: 5.20 Quizlet Vocabulary Practice: Economics
Graded: 5.19 Week 5 Chapter Test
WEEK 6
Review
In this week, you’ll review and practice key concepts and language from the course. Watch the videos, check your knowledge and understanding with the support of review worksheet.
2 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: 6.1 Course Review Companion Worksheet Video Part 1
- Video: 6.2 Course Review Part 1
- Reading: 6.3 Course Review Companion Worksheet Part 2
- Video: 6.4 Course Review Part 2
- Reading: 6.5 REFERENCES
Graded: 6.6 Final Exam
FAQs
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Creators
Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to excellence, access and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
One of the top notch courses on Coursera! Thanks a lot.
It was useful, but specially focused on finance, lacking a little the economics dimension. Thanks.
The better out of this course is the expanded of our language about business and finance themes, and the correct interpretation that we can do.
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AB
EXCELENTE CURSO, EXCELENTES CONTENIDOS Y TEMÁTICA, MUCHAS GRACIAS POR LA FACILIDAD Y CLARIDAD EN EL ABORDAJE DE LOS TEMAS.
ME ENCANTARÍA PODER SEGUIR APRENDIENDO Y CAPACITÁNDOME JUNTO A UDS. MUCHAS GRACIAS.