This curriculum is designed for Japanese business professionals who need to use English in international workplaces. It focuses on practical communication skills for meetings, conferences, presentations, negotiations, emails, networking, and daily workplace interaction.
The curriculum emphasizes:
Speaking fluency and confidence
Listening comprehension
Note-taking skills
Business vocabulary and idioms
Cross-cultural communication
Professional etiquette in global companies
Real-world business scenarios
Course Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Target Learners | Japanese professionals working in international companies |
| English Level | High Beginner to Advanced |
| Recommended Course Length | 6–12 months |
| Recommended Hours | 4–6 hours weekly |
| Focus Skills | Speaking, Listening, Vocabulary, Note-Taking, Business Culture |
| Teaching Style | Communicative and task-based learning |
| Main Goal | Communicate confidently in international business settings |
Curriculum Structure
Module 1: Foundations of Business English Communication
Objectives
Students will:
Build confidence speaking English at work
Learn professional introductions
Use polite business language
Improve pronunciation and clarity
Unit 1.1 Self-Introduction and Small Talk
Topics
Introducing yourself professionally
Talking about your company and role
Networking conversations
Building rapport with colleagues
Key Expressions
“I work in the marketing department.”
“I’m responsible for client relations.”
“How long have you been with the company?”
“It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Common Idioms
“Break the ice”
“Get the ball rolling”
“On the same page”
Activities
Pair introductions
Speed networking
Role-play at international conferences
Company profile presentations
Listening Practice
Listening to business introductions
Understanding different English accents
Note-Taking Practice
Writing key details from introductions
Recording names, positions, and companies
Unit 1.2 Telephone and Online Communication
Topics
Answering business calls
Taking messages
Online meeting etiquette
Clarifying information
Key Expressions
“Could you repeat that, please?”
“Let me confirm that.”
“I’ll transfer your call.”
“Can everyone hear me clearly?”
Activities
Phone role-plays
Zoom meeting simulations
Listening for important details
Listening Skills
Understanding unclear audio
Identifying key information quickly
Module 2: Business Meetings
Objectives
Students will:
Participate actively in meetings
Express opinions professionally
Agree and disagree politely
Take effective meeting notes
Unit 2.1 Participating in Meetings
Topics
Opening meetings
Sharing opinions
Asking questions
Interrupting politely
Key Expressions
“I’d like to add something.”
“That’s a good point.”
“Could you elaborate on that?”
“May I interrupt for a moment?”
Idioms
“Think outside the box”
“Touch base”
“Raise the bar”
Activities
Group discussions
Problem-solving meetings
Decision-making tasks
Listening Practice
Listening to real business meetings
Identifying main ideas and action items
Note-Taking Skills
Students practice:
Writing meeting summaries
Recording deadlines
Identifying action items
Example Note Format
| Topic | Action | Person Responsible | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Plan | Create proposal | Tanaka | Friday |
Unit 2.2 Leading Meetings
Topics
Setting agendas
Managing discussions
Summarizing decisions
Closing meetings
Expressions
“Let’s move to the next topic.”
“To summarize today’s discussion…”
“We need to reach a decision.”
“Thank you everyone for your input.”
Activities
Chairing mock meetings
Time management practice
Conflict resolution simulations
Module 3: Presentation Skills
Objectives
Students will:
Deliver professional presentations
Speak clearly and confidently
Explain data and visuals
Handle Q&A sessions
Unit 3.1 Presentation Structure
Topics
Opening presentations
Explaining graphs and charts
Transition language
Strong conclusions
Key Expressions
“Today I’d like to discuss…”
“As you can see on this graph…”
“Moving on to the next point…”
“Thank you for your attention.”
Activities
Mini presentations
Product pitches
Team presentations
Listening Practice
TED Talks
Business conference speeches
Note-Taking
Students practice:
Listening for main points
Organizing presentation notes
Writing summaries
Unit 3.2 Handling Questions
Topics
Clarifying questions
Difficult questions
Buying time while thinking
Expressions
“That’s an interesting question.”
“Let me think about that.”
“Could you clarify your question?”
Activities
Q&A role-plays
Press conference simulations
Module 4: Negotiation and Problem Solving
Objectives
Students will:
Negotiate professionally
Handle disagreements diplomatically
Propose solutions confidently
Unit 4.1 Negotiation Skills
Topics
Making proposals
Bargaining politely
Reaching agreements
Expressions
“Would you consider…?”
“We’re willing to compromise.”
“That sounds reasonable.”
Idioms
“Meet halfway”
“Win-win situation”
“Back to square one”
Activities
Supplier negotiations
Contract discussions
Pricing negotiations
Unit 4.2 Conflict Resolution
Topics
Managing complaints
Giving constructive feedback
Apologizing professionally
Expressions
“I understand your concern.”
“Let’s find a solution together.”
“We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Activities
Customer complaint role-plays
Team conflict simulations
Module 5: Business Writing and Note-Taking
Objectives
Students will:
Write clear business emails
Create meeting summaries
Improve English note-taking
Unit 5.1 Business Emails
Topics
Formal email structure
Polite requests
Follow-up emails
Expressions
“I hope this email finds you well.”
“Please find attached…”
“I look forward to hearing from you.”
Activities
Email editing
Writing responses
Professional tone practice
Unit 5.2 English Note-Taking Skills
Topics
Abbreviations
Listening for keywords
Organizing notes quickly
Techniques
Cornell Note-Taking
Mind mapping
Bullet-point summaries
Activities
Listening dictation
Conference note-taking practice
Summarizing discussions
Module 6: Cross-Cultural Communication
Objectives
Students will:
Understand global workplace culture
Communicate effectively with international teams
Avoid cultural misunderstandings
Unit 6.1 International Workplace Culture
Topics
Direct vs indirect communication
Cultural differences in meetings
Global teamwork
Discussion Topics
Japanese vs Western meeting styles
Eye contact and body language
Decision-making differences
Activities
Case studies
Cultural misunderstanding role-plays
Unit 6.2 Networking and Socializing
Topics
Business dinners
Conference networking
Informal conversations
Expressions
“What brings you to this conference?”
“It’s been great speaking with you.”
“Let’s stay in touch.”
Module 7: Conference and International Event English
Objectives
Students will:
Participate in conferences confidently
Understand international speakers
Ask professional questions
Topics
Registration and introductions
Listening to keynote speeches
Panel discussions
Networking sessions
Activities
Mock international conference
Panel discussion practice
Question-and-answer sessions
Listening Practice
Various English accents:
American
British
Australian
Indian
Singaporean
Module 8: Industry-Specific Business English
Teachers may customize this module based on learners’ industries.
Possible Specializations
IT and Technology English
Technical meetings
Software discussions
Project management
Sales and Marketing English
Sales pitches
Advertising discussions
Client communication
Finance English
Budgets
Financial reports
Investment discussions
Manufacturing English
Production meetings
Quality control
Supply chain communication
Listening Comprehension Development
Listening Sources
Students should practice with:
Business podcasts
Conference speeches
Company meetings
News reports
Interviews
Listening Skills Training
Students Learn To:
Identify key information
Understand fast speech
Recognize different accents
Infer meaning from context
Recommended Activities
Shadowing practice
Dictation
Listening summaries
Gap-fill exercises
Speaking Development Program
Weekly Speaking Activities
Daily Practice
Small talk
Self-introductions
Opinion sharing
Weekly Tasks
Presentations
Debates
Meeting simulations
Networking role-plays
Fluency Training
Timed speaking
Impromptu speaking
Pronunciation drills
Business English Idioms and Expressions
Common Workplace Idioms
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Get the ball rolling | Start something |
| Think outside the box | Be creative |
| Back to square one | Start again |
| Learn the ropes | Learn how something works |
| In the loop | Informed |
| Touch base | Make contact |
| On the same page | Agree |
| Raise the bar | Improve standards |
| Win-win situation | Good for everyone |
Common International Business Practices
Topics Covered
Meeting Practices
Agendas
Time management
Participation expectations
Email Etiquette
Professional tone
Clear subject lines
Response timing
Presentation Etiquette
Audience engagement
Handling questions
Visual design
Networking Etiquette
Business card exchange
Professional conversation
Follow-up communication
Cross-Cultural Awareness
Communication styles
Hierarchy differences
Negotiation approaches
Assessment Methods
Continuous Assessment
Speaking
Presentation evaluations
Meeting participation
Role-play performance
Listening
Listening quizzes
Note-taking tests
Writing
Email writing
Meeting summaries
Final Projects
Business presentation
Simulated conference participation
Team negotiation task
Recommended Teaching Methods
Best Practices for Teachers
Use:
Authentic business materials
Real company scenarios
Interactive activities
Pair and group work
Encourage:
Speaking confidence
Mistake tolerance
Active participation
Include:
Japanese-English comparisons
Accent exposure
Cultural discussions
Recommended Resources
Websites and Platforms
Mobile Apps
Duolingo
Elsa Speak
BBC Learning English
Sample Weekly Schedule
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Monday | Vocabulary and Listening |
| Tuesday | Meetings and Discussion |
| Wednesday | Presentation Skills |
| Thursday | Negotiation and Role-Play |
| Friday | Note-Taking and Review |
Final Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
Participate confidently in international meetings
Deliver professional presentations in English
Understand business discussions and conferences
Take effective English notes
Communicate professionally with global colleagues
Use business idioms naturally
Handle negotiations and networking situations effectively
Adapt to international workplace culture confidently
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