Overview
The International Business English (IBE) program is a customized, certificate program designed for students with intermediate to advanced English- language proficiency and a high level of communication skills and commitment. This course is for students and professionals interested in learning more about American business practices as they relate to doing business globally.
This program can be tailored to focus on business content through English skill development, in various lengths of study, from two weeks to two semesters.
Program Benefits and Highlights
Benefits
- Refine your English language skills through business content
- Expand your knowledge about American business culture and practices
- Customizable program lengths from two weeks up to two semesters
Highlights
- Fully customizable Business English content focusing on a wide variety of topics and skills of interest.
- Opportunity to take field-trips to local businesses and get a behind the scenes look at business operations.
- Join volunteering events with local social-enterprises to provide services to underserved communities.
Program Structure and Schedule
- The program can be structured to focus on English language skill development through productive and/or receptive skills, through the lens of business topics.
- The structure is flexible and adaptable to hone in on any skill set or topic
Curriculum
English skills through business content: business writing, reading, listening, speaking, presentations and proposals.
| Business Writing | Business Listening and Reading | Business Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Business letter formats | Trade & Fair Trade | Interviewing |
| SWOT analysis | Finance | Networking |
| Reference and recommendation letters | Office roles & politics | Advertising and Marketing |
| Resume and cover letter writing | Management and Leadership | |
| Business proposals | Business & Culture |
Sample four-week schedule (please contact program director for other sample schedules)
Week 1
| Morning Classes | |||
| Introduction to Business What is a business, forms of businesses, reading and speaking about proprietorships, partnerships, corporations |
Business Letter Format-Writing Formating- Salutations, Body, Closings in formal and informal letters and emails |
Business Proposal- Writing Elements of proposals- Mission Statement, project description, budget analysis, organizational details |
Business Negotiations- Listening and Reading Discuss, evaluate, and skill development of appropriate negotiation tactics- |
| Afternoon Classes | |||
| Forms of Businesses- Speaking Identify and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of proprietorships, partnerships, corporations |
Ethics and Business- Speaking Governing decisions and actions such as code of conduct, honor code, mission statement and golden rule within organizations |
SWOT Analysis- Writing Learn to identify and apply appropriate writing strategies to express relationships between SWOT factors |
Business Negotiations- Speaking Contextual usage clues to learn and use commonly misunderstood business idiomatic expressions |
Week 2
| Morning Classes | |||
| Business Emails: Sending- Writing Email types, format guidelines, tone and language, content and useful phrases |
Advertising- Speaking and Presentation Skills Analyze advertisements to identify markets, targets, influences, behaviors, and pricing |
Marketing- Speaking and Reading Learn and apply the 4 elements of Marketing Mix: product, placement, promotion, price |
Branding- Speaking, Reading, and Presenting The importance of branding: awareness, image, loyalty, licensing, and products |
| Afternoon Classes | |||
| Business Emails: Responding- Writing Guidelines for appropriate positive and negative reactions, relevant questions for clarification , and hedging |
International Advertising- Speaking and Presentation Skills Compare and contrast advertising in different countries to create, plan, and pitch an advertisement |
Logos & Slogans- Speaking and Reading Identify the functions and effects of branding, mottos, trademarks, and catch phrases |
Management- Speaking and Presentation Skills Styles of management: micromanager, delegator, mentor and organizational hierarchies/pyramids |
Week 3
| Morning Classes | |||
| Becoming an Entrepreneur Creating a business plan- identify an idea, target market, and potential competitors, partners and profit |
Business Model Canvas: Learn and understand types and examples of each component in the 9 building blocks |
Business Model Canvas: Learn the importance of rapid iteration with Business Canvas models. Students will begin creating their Business model |
Business Model Canvas: Students will practice presenting their findings from the business model canvas of existing businesses |
| Afternoon Classes | |||
| Business Model Canvas: Introduction to Strategyer’s Business Model Canvas tool template and the 9 Canvas components |
Business Model Canvas: Learn and understand the relationship and types of each of the 9 building blocks |
Business Model Canvas: Students will apply the business model canvas to existing businesses |
Business Model Canvas: Considering environmental factors: market forces, key trends, industry forces, and macro-economic trends. |
Week 4
| Morning Classes | |||
| Business Model Canvas: Students draft their own business model canvas |
Business Model Canvas: Students practice pitching their own business model canvas |
Business Tour- Trader Joe’s Tour a local grocery store |
Closing and Certificate Ceremony |
| Afternoon Classes | |||
| Business Model Canvas: Students learn the fundamentals of how to pitch a business using their Canvas |
Business Model Canvas: Students present their own business model canvas |
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