Business English: Finance and Economics

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 4.5 stars Average User Rating 4.5See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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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 expand

1. Reading: 1.1 Weekly Goals and Advice from Instructors
2. Video: 1.2 Shaving Off 5%
3. Reading: 1.3 Vocabulary Preview: Budgeting
4. Video: 1.4 Probing Questions
5. Reading: 1.5 How to ask the right questions: A Framework for Asking
6. Practice Quiz: 1.6 Probing Questions
7. Reading: 1.7 Probing Question Stems
8. Practice Quiz: 1.8 Probing Question Stems
9. Reading: 1.9 Asking the right questions? Have Intellectual Curiosity
10. Video: 1.10 Open Communication
11. Practice Quiz: 1.11 Open Communication
12. Reading: Bonus: Worksheet for Practicing How to Say Numbers
13. Reading: Bonus: Sensitivity to Criticism Test
14. Video: 1.12 Forming Yes/No Questions
15. Practice Quiz: 1.13 Forming Yes/No Questions
16. Video: 1.14 Forming WH Questions
17. Reading: 1.15 "Your Company's Culture" An article with lots of WH-questions
18. Practice Quiz: 1.16 Forming WH Questions
19. Reading: 1.17 Getting to Yes: Interest versus Positions
20. Reading: 1.18 Budget Review Worksheet (Use with Review: Budgeting)
21. Video: 1.19 Review: Budgeting
22. Peer Review: 1.20 Consult and Probe
23. 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 expand

1. Reading: 2.1 Weekly Goals and Advice from Instructors
2. Video: 2.2 Catherine's Solid Forecasts
3. Reading: 2.3 Vocabulary Preview: Forecasting
4. Video: 2.4 Answering Questions Without Defensiveness
5. Practice Quiz: 2.5 Answering Questions Without Defensiveness
6. Video: 2.6 Chart Communication
7. Reading: 2.7 How to give a great financial presentation by telling a story
8. Reading: 2.8 Secrets of Reading Financial Reports
9. Reading: 2.9 How to Organize your Story and Other Hints
10. Practice Quiz: 2.10 Chart Communication/Storytelling
11. Reading: Bonus: "4 Magic Phrases"
12. Video: 2.11 Transition Phrases for Contrast and Additions
13. Practice Quiz: 2.12 Transition Phrases for Contrast and Additions
14. Video: 2.13 Transition Phrases for Cause and Effect
15. Practice Quiz: 2.14 Transition Phrases for Cause and Effect
16. Reading: 2.15 Transition Phrases for Cause/Effect, Contrast and Addition
17. Reading: 2.16 Review Companion Worksheet
18. Video: 2.17 Review (Watch with Companion Worksheet)
19. Discussion Prompt: 2.18 Financial Storyteller: Discussion and Help for the Peer Review Assignment
20. Peer Review: 2.19 Financial Storyteller
21. 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 expand

1. Reading: 3.1 Weekly Goals and Advice from Instructors
2. Video: 3.2 Tooling Options
3. Reading: 3.3 Vocabulary Preview: Purchasing
4. Video: 3.4 Making Concessions
5. Reading: 3.5 Conceed to Your Ego: A Video
6. Discussion Prompt: 3.6 Does Concession Mean Losing?
7. Practice Quiz: 3.7 Making Concessions
8. Video: 3.8 Maintaining Integrity
9. Reading: 3.9 Five Ways to See if your Business Integrity is Showing
10. Practice Quiz: 3.10 Maintaining Integrity
11. Reading: 3.11 The 6 Types of Socratic Questions
12. Practice Quiz: 3.12 Socratic Questions and Business Integrity Showing
13. Video: 3.13 Persuasive Language-Logic
14. Practice Quiz: 3.14 Persuasive Language-Logic
15. Reading: 3.15 Phrases for Concession and Counter Arguments
16. Video: 3.16 Phrases for Concession
17. Practice Quiz: 3.17 Phrases for Concession
18. Reading: 3.18 Review Companion Worksheet: How to Negotiate a Win Win
19. Video: 3.19 Review
20. Discussion Prompt: 3.20 Vocabulary Power
21. Peer Review: 3.21 Questions for Mr. President
22. 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 expand

1. Reading: 4.1 Weekly Goals and Advice From Instructors
2. Video: 4.2 Mary Gains Confidence
3. Reading: 4.3 Vocabulary Preview: Auditing
4. Video: 4.4 Types of Power
5. Reading: 4.5 Auditors and Power Relationships: How Can We Get Along?
6. Reading: 4.6 William Ury: NO Means Yes ~ Tell that to Your Auditor!
7. Practice Quiz: 4.7 Types of Power
8. Video: 4.8 How to Use Different Types of Power
9. Reading: 4.9 Five Ways To Get Anyone To Do Anything
10. Discussion Prompt: 4.10 The Ury/Dwyer Super Power Probe: A Challenging Discussion
11. Practice Quiz: 4.11 Using Different Types of Power
12. Video: 4.12 Speaking Tone
13. Reading: 4.13 Sound of Confidence: Amy Cuddy's Power Poses
14. Reading: 4.14 Three Productive Language Choices
15. Practice Quiz: 4.15 Speaking Tone and Body Language
16. Reading: 4.16 Writing Tone Companion Email: Delay in analytic software launch
17. Video: 4.17 Writing Tone
18. Practice Quiz: 4.18 Writing Tone
19. Reading: Bonus: Super Cool Comparison Tool for Analyzing How Well Your Writing Style Matches Others
20. Video: 4.19 Review: Auditing
21. Peer Review: 4.20 Auditor Admiration
22. 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 expand

1. Reading: 5.1 Weekly Goals and Advice from Instructors
2. Video: 5.2 Seeing Things Clearly
3. Reading: 5.3 Vocabulary Preview: Economics
4. Reading: 5.4 These are the Econ Blogs you Need to Read
5. Discussion Prompt: 5.5 Which are the Econ Blogs you Recommend? Let's Discuss
6. Video: 5.6 Reading Strategies
7. Practice Quiz: 5.7 Reading Strategies
8. Reading: 5.8 Applying Reading Strategies Companion Article
9. Video: 5.9 Applying Reading Strategies
10. Reading: 5.10 On The Move In China
11. Discussion Prompt: 5.11 Trends: Let's Discuss
12. Video: 5.12 Phrases for Increase/Decrease
13. Reading: 5.13 Phrases Used For Increase/Decrease
14. Reading: 5.14 Idioms and Words Difficult to Translate in Business
15. Video: 5.15 Untranslatable Phrases
16. Discussion Prompt: 5.16 Take the Idiom Challenge! And Go out with a Bang
17. Video: 5.17 Review: Economics
18. Peer Review: 5.18 Trends are for Sharing
19. 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 expand

1. Reading: 6.1 Course Review Companion Worksheet Video Part 1
2. Video: 6.2 Course Review Part 1
3. Reading: 6.3 Course Review Companion Worksheet Part 2
4. Video: 6.4 Course Review Part 2
5. Reading: 6.5 REFERENCES

Graded: 6.6 Final Exam