Business Communication Workshops

Professional English Program

Master the nuances of the English language and improve communication with co-workers, customers and business partners. Gain the necessary skills to succeed in an American work environment. The Professional English Program at U of I BIS is designed for non-native English speaking executives and professionals who are living and working in the United States. BIS helps participants improve a full range of communication skills in order to work more effectively in the areas of:

• Technical and Business Writing
• Oral Communication
• Professional Etiquette & Business Culture
• Presentation Skills
• Accent Reduction
• American Business Jargon

The Professional English Program course content is fully-tailored to address participants’ everyday English language needs based on job-specific vocabulary and communication channels.

The benefits of this program include improved productivity and work quality through:

• Improved internal and external customer relations and communication
• Reduced amount of time re-writing documents
• Fewer costly errors caused by miscommunication
• Improved opportunities for career advancement

For more information, see the Professional English Program brochure.

Effective Email Writing

Participants will learn how to make email work for you by creating professional, clearly written messages to get the response needed. Key session topics include: Overview of email format, grammar and tone, Using appropriate email etiquette, Structuring your messages to get a response, Writing clearly and concisely, Handling sensitive topics, Creating effective subject headings.

Writing in Spanish with Microsoft Word

This workshop teaches you how to use Spanish symbols, spell check, grammar check, and translation features in Microsoft Word. Key session topics include: Introduction to Microsoft Word language features, Inserting, tildes, accents, and punctuation marks, Using two languages in a single document, Learning when to translate ideas vs. individual words. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word is required.

Writing Instructions and Procedures

Participants will learn how to create logical steps, use graphics effectively and test instructions. Key session topics include: Analyzing your audience’s knowledge and reading level, Structuring information into easy-to-follow steps, Inserting diagrams, photos, icons and other graphics, Writing warnings and troubleshooting to anticipate problems. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word required.

Beyond PowerPoint: Using Presentations to Inform and Inspire

Participants will learn how to engage and motivate audiences through interactive presentation skills. Key Session Topics include: Introduction to the presentation skills needed to engage listeners, Understanding the power of images and storytelling, Structuring information for training, persuasive, and motivational topics, Fielding audience questions and eliciting responses. Basic knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint is required.

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