Mastering Basic Business English Vocabulary (finance and project management)
Objective: To help learners improve their understanding and use of common business English vocabulary.
Time Required: 30-45 minutes
Materials Needed: Computer or mobile device with internet access
Instructions:
1. Introduce the importance of business English vocabulary in the workplace.
Explain that using the right words and phrases is essential for effective communication and professionalism.
2. Provide a list of common business English vocabulary words and phrases, for example:
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deadline
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deliverable
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stakeholders
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revenue
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budget
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strategy
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project management
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ROI (return on investment)
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KPIs (key performance indicators)
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quarterly report
3. Have learners read through the list and take notes on any unfamiliar words or phrases. Encourage them to look up definitions and examples of how the words are used in context.
4. Provide the following interactive exercises to help reinforce learners' understanding and use of the vocabulary words:
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Matching Exercise:
Create a matching exercise using the vocabulary words from above and their definitions.
Learners can fill in the correct definitions to the corresponding words.
Example: ___________ is the amount of money a company earns from its operations. (Answer: revenue)
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Match each vocabulary word with its definition.
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A. The amount of money a company earns from its operations.
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B. A measurable goal that helps a company track its progress and success.
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C. The process of planning, organizing, and overseeing a project from start to finish.
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D. A document that outlines a company's financial plan for a specific period of time.
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E. The date by which a task or project must be completed.
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F. The end result of a project or task that is delivered to a client or customer.
​G. A group of people or organizations that have an interest in a company's success.
​H. A report that summarizes a company's financial performance over a three-month period.
​I. The plan of action a company uses to achieve its goals.
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J. The amount of profit or loss a company makes on an investment.
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Matching Answers to vocabulary items: E, F, G, A, D, I, C, J, B, H
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Alternative:
Flashcards: Create a set of flashcards using the vocabulary words and definitions. Learners can review the flashcards to practice memorizing the words and their meanings.
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2. Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise:
Create a fill-in-the-blank exercise using the vocabulary words.
Learners can fill in the missing words to complete sentences.
Example: Our ___________ for this quarter is to increase sales by 10%. (Answer: KPI)
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Fill in the blanks with the correct vocabulary word.
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Our _________ for this quarter is to increase sales by 10%.
Answer: KPIs
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The ___________ for the project is next Friday.
Answer: deadline
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The ___________ of the company include shareholders, employees, and customers.
Answer: stakeholders
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Our ___________ this year is to reduce expenses by 20%.
Answer: budget
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We need to develop a new ___________ to compete in the market.
Answer: strategy
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The ___________ of this project includes planning, organizing, and overseeing its execution.
Answer: project management
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The ___________ on our investment was higher than expected.
Answer: ROI
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Our ___________ for this project is to deliver a working prototype in two weeks.
Answer: deliverable
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The company's ___________ for the first quarter showed strong growth.
Answer: quarterly report
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The ___________ we earned from the project exceeded our expectations.
Answer: revenue
5. Reading: Allow students to practice these words in context and in a realistic business setting by reading the following role play. Students should take on different roles and take it in turns.
In this scenario, the business manager and team leader use several common business English vocabulary words, such as "budget," "return on investment," "key performance indicators," and "deliverables," to discuss the progress of a new project.
There is a business manager who is having a meeting with one of his/her team leaders to discuss the progress of a new project. The team leader is responsible for overseeing the project's execution and ensuring that it meets the set goals and deadlines. During the meeting, the manager will discuss the project's budget, key performance indicators (KPIs), and deliverables.
Business Manager: Hi, John. Thank you for joining me today. How's the new project coming along?
Team Leader: Hi, boss. The project is going well so far. We've been able to stick to the timeline and the deliverables are on track to be completed on time.
Business Manager: That's great to hear. I wanted to check in with you about the budget. How are we doing in terms of expenses?
Team Leader: We're currently within the budget, but there are some areas where we need to be careful. For example, we had to spend more on the software development than we anticipated.
Business Manager: I see. Let's make sure we keep an eye on that. We need to make sure we're not overspending and that we have a good return on investment (ROI). Speaking of which, what are our KPIs for this project?
Team Leader: Our main KPIs are to complete the project on time, within budget, and with a high level of customer satisfaction.
Business Manager: Good. And what about the deliverables? Are we on track to deliver everything that was promised?
Team Leader: Yes, we are. We've already completed the first two deliverables and are working on the third one now.
Business Manager: Excellent. Keep up the good work, John. Let's touch base again next week to make sure we're still on track.
Team Leader: Will do, boss. Thank you.
6. Application
Create a role-playing scenario in which learners must use the vocabulary words in a business setting. For example, learners can act out a job interview or a client meeting using the vocabulary words they've learned.
7. After completing the interactive activities, provide feedback and corrections as needed. Encourage learners to continue practicing and using the vocabulary words in their daily work.
Conclusion:
By the end of this lesson, learners should have a better understanding and mastery of common business English vocabulary words and phrases. This will help them communicate more effectively and professionally in the workplace.