Excellent Emails For Esl Speakers

Effective writing skills and techniques for business professionals seeking to write accurate and convincing emails

Last updated 2022-01-10 | 4.2

- Writing professional emails in a business environment

What you'll learn

Writing professional emails in a business environment

* Requirements

* Pre-requisites: Pre-intermediate level and above; C1 and above in the CEF levels

Description

This is a  comprehensive and totally practical course that covers the A to Z of email writing. The course provides clear details and examples on how to plan, draft, craft and fine tune your emails to make sure they get the attention they deserve and the right response. The course contains a total of 8 sections each divided into a series of lectures that introduce the fundamentals of writing skills and allow you to develop your skills progressively.

Within each section there are activities to give you the opportunity to practice the skills and techniques covered in the lectures and you can check your solutions with the model answers. There is also a series of downloadable resources such as checklists, templates, tips and tricks designed for you to use as references of best practice when your back at work.

The course covers:

  • The importance of emails in the business world.

  • Typical problems and the impact they can have.

  • The importance of considering the reader so you get the action you want.

  • What to consider when writing to others around the world.

  • How to write like a native speaker, using appropriate words and expressions.

  • How to reduce wordiness and write in a clear style with the right tone.

  • How to plan and structure your emails at the drafting stage.

  • What is the correct reference / title to use with your reader's name (honorifics).

  • How to start your email to make your purpose clear.

  • What expressions to use for ending your emails.

  • How to be grammatical accurate in key tenses used in emails.

  • What standard expressions to use in emails requesting, information, action and help.

  • What are the differences between British and US English.

  • Know the rules of punctuation.

  • Be aware of email etiquette.

  • How to proof-read effectively.


Who this course is for:

  • Individuals, who speak English as a second language, working in or interacting with international/multinational companies companies

Course content

8 sections • 60 lectures

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION FROM THE COURSE TUTOR Preview 02:42

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION FROM THE COURSE TUTOR

Introduction and Course Learning Points Preview 01:20

1. An overview of the course aims.

2. Self-Analysis: Improving in a skill or technique means you need to know where you are currently and then set your goals towards improving. Do the self-assessment diagnostic questionnaire before you move on to Section 2.

The Importance of Emails in Business Communications Preview 03:24

End of Section 1 Preview 01:57

Introduction and Overview of Section 2 Preview 00:51

In this section you will learn the basic techniques of writing emails by:

Knowing how to make the right impression.

Identifying typical problems and realise the effect they have on the reader.

How important it is to consider the reader before you start drafting your email to adapting your contents, expressions and words according to the reader.

Recognising how different people communicate across the globe and tips to ensuring your emails consider these cross-cultural communication styles.

Recognising and choose the right style for business emails i.e, formal or informal or neutral.

Making the Right Impression Preview 01:30

Typical Problems and their Effects Preview 02:10

Consider the Reader Preview 01:53

Cross-cultural Communications Preview 09:27

Formal, neutral and informal writing styles Preview 03:10

Test Your Knowledge

Review of the Learning Points of this Section 2 Preview 00:30

By the end of this section you will be able to:

  1. Appreciate the importance of writing effective emails.

  2. Identify typical problems and the impact they can have.

  3. Identify key factors related to who you are writing.

  4. Identify how to overcome barriers in overseas business communications.

  5. Identify various writing styles and which to use for business emails.



End of Section 2 Preview 02:19

Introduction and Overview of Section 3 Preview 00:38

In this section you will learn techniques to apply when:

Structuring and formatting your email to get the reader's attention.

Knowing the importance of writing short and precise sentences and paragraphs in modern business writing.

Using the correct salutation to start your email with.

Using the correct title when naming the reader.

Writing effective subject headings.

How to Structure Your Email Preview 02:07

The SRP Framework is a planning tool. It can help you organize your thoughts and focus on the key message; the points to include (and what to exclude); the most appropriate writing style and the tone of your email.

Formatting your Email Preview 02:55

Long vs Short Preview 03:00

Using Salutations Preview 01:35

Modes of Address (Honorifics) Preview 02:01

Writing Appropriate Subject Headings Preview 03:15

Test Your Knowledge

Review of the Learning Points of this Section Preview 00:23

End of Section 3 Preview 03:29

Introduction and Overview of Section 4 Preview 00:46

In this section you will learn a variety of effective techniques that make the contents well constructed, by:

Knowing how to begin your email and clearly state the purpose.

Knowing how to write in a logical way to ensure the reader understands your message.

Using standard phrases in business writing to request/give information; state the action and request / offer help.

Using the correct abbreviations in business correspondence.

Observing the rules to follow for correct punctuation.

Knowing the correct phrases to include when you have attachments to your emails.


Beginning your Email and Stating Your Purpose Preview 01:30

Writing Logically to Get your Message Across Preview 04:50

Phrases for Emails Requesting / Giving Information, Action and Help Preview 02:05

Using Abbreviations Preview 01:20

The Rules of Punctuation Preview 05:09

Adding Attachments Preview 02:10

Test Your Knowledge

Review of the Learning Points of this Section 3 Preview 00:36

End of Section 4 Preview 02:45

Introduction and Overview of Section 5 Preview 00:52

In this section you will learn how to fine tune and perfect your email to write like native speakers, by:

Knowing the differences between British and American English writing.

Identifying out of date and inappropriate expressions/words and what to write in the modern business world.

Using a technique to make your email up to date rather than out of date formal expressions.

Identifying words that are easily confused and avoiding potential mistakes.

Being familiar with word collocation which can upgrade your emails to native speaker level.

Being accurate in the most common tenses used in business emails.

British or American English? Preview 01:45

What Not to Write - and what to write instead Preview 04:05

Use Verbs Not Nouns Preview 02:15

Practice Activity

Words Easily Confused Preview 04:20

Word Collocation Preview 02:10

Focus on Grammar - Common Tenses and Time Expressions Preview 02:35

Test Your Knowledge

Review of the Learning Points of this Section 5 Preview 00:36

End of Section 5 Preview 02:27

Introduction and Overview of Section 6 Preview 00:34

In this section you will learn how to catch your reader's attention by:

Adding variety in the contents and words you choose.

Using linking/connecting words and expressions to help the reader understand and continue reading to the end.

Adding Variety Preview 03:00

How to Use Transition Words and Phrases Preview 05:10

Test Your Knowledge

Review of the Learning Points of this Section 5 Preview 00:30

End of Section 6 Preview 02:54

Introduction and Overview of Section 7 Preview 00:25

In this section you will learn techniques to end your email by:

Knowing the most appropriate expressions to sign off.

Using a variety of techniques to proof read your draft to ensure your email is totally accurate.


How to End your Email Preview 05:10

The Techniques of Proof Reading Preview 01:40

The Seven Golden Rules of Proof-reading

Test Your Knowledge

Review of the Learning Points of this Section 6 Preview 00:30

End of Section 7 Preview 02:59

Introduction and Overview of Section 8 Preview 00:30

In this section you will learn the dos and don'ts

When it comes to business correspondence i.e., the etiquette to observe that can help you build trust and long-term business connections.

Email Etiquette Preview 04:10

Review of the Course Learning Points Preview 00:51

A short practice exercise to recap on email essentials and a few other useful tips. When you've finished the exercise, scroll down the PDF to check your answers.

Congratulations on completing the course Preview 01:16

Congratulations on completing the course!

A review of the skills and techniques you have acquired during the course.


End of Section 8 Preview 02:28