English for Common Interactions in the Workplace: Basic Level (Coursera)

This way, the student will be able to broaden their lexical and grammatical repertoire in English, thus increasing their professional value and skill, and contributing to not only professional but also social mobility.

The methodology of self-guided instruction will allow the student to manage their own study time, so that they can integrate coursework with the daily demands of their professional life at a rhythm adequate for their own learning process. More importantly, the course is held online, distributed massively, and accessible anywhere in the world through Coursera.

Course contents

Module 1: Everyday Language on the Job

• Grammar: present simple to be affirmative, negative question structure, all persons.

• Vocabulary: professions / nationalities.

• Indefinite article: a/an.

• Expressions used when introducing yourself.

• Grammar: present simple (I, you, he/she/it, we -- affirmative & negative).

• Vocabulary: work routine verbs.

• Review of adverbs of frequency.

• Times of the day: In the morning /in the afternoon/ at night.

Module 2: Making Phone Calls

• Grammar: present simple (I, you, he/she/it, we --- questions and short answers).

• Vocabulary: telephoning expressions.

• Grammar: making suggestions

• Vocabulary: numbers/dates

• Dates in British English and American English

Module 3: Preparing for meeting

• Grammar: Going To.

• Vocabulary: Flash Review of Cardinal Numbers 1-60.

• Telling time.

• Grammar: There is / There are

• Prepositions of place

• Vocabulary: Places around town

Module 4: Post-meeting etiquette

• Grammar: Past Simple (To Be).

• Use of Past Tense of go with good/bad.

• Vocabulary: Descriptive Adjectives (it was ...).

• Grammar: Past Simple (regular verbs)

• Vocabulary: Correspondence Verbs (w. common phrasal verbs)
What You Will Learn

- Describe professions and daily activities related to the workplace.

- Make and answer basic phone calls related to the workplace.

- Make arrangements for meetings at the workplace.

- Talk about job activities in the past.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Welcome to “English for Common Interactions in the Workplace"

Our warmest welcome to you, and thank you for choosing our MOOC “English for Common Interactions in the Workplace,” developed by English UC at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. The purpose of this MOOC is to develop basic English strategies for effective everyday interactions in the workplace. This course is designed for administrators and staff of various industries in which interaction with English-speakers may occur. We wish you great success as you progress in this course.

WEEK 2

Module 1: Everyday Language on the Job

In the first module, you’ll learn to describe professions and daily tasks on the job using the present simple grammatical structure and acquiring vocabulary related to professions and occupations. Through the designed activities you’ll be able to develop and improve your reading comprehension in English. Content designer: James Gibbons, English Teacher, English UC Language Center.

WEEK 3

Module 2: Making Phone Calls

In this second module, you’ll learn to make and receive basic phone calls that commonly occur in the professional environment using grammatical structures related to them. Also, you’ll acquire vocabulary related to useful language for making phone calls. Through the designed activity you’ll develop and improve your listening skills in English.Content designer: Alexandra Durr, English Teacher, English UC Language Center.

WEEK 4

Module 3: Preparing for meeting

In Module 3 you’ll be able to learn to make plans to hold a professional meeting using grammatical structures to refer to the future. Also, you’ll be able to acquire vocabulary related to scheduling and planning. The prepared activities will allow you to improve your listening comprehension in English. Content designer: James Gibbons, English Teacher, English UC Language Center.

WEEK 5

Module 4: Post-meeting etiquette

In this last module, you’ll learn to make references to job activities in the past using the appropriate grammatical structures and you’ll acquire vocabulary related to describing events in the past. The activities designed for this module will also permit you to develop your reading skills in English. Content designer: Alexandra Durr, English Teacher, English UC Language Center.