Session 1: Fundamentals of Clear and Professional Communication

• Objective: Equip SPMs with techniques for clear, structured verbal communication when discussing project updates, goals, and deliverables.

• Focus: Understanding language barriers, active listening, and simplifying complex concepts.
  Key Activities:

• Identifying communication gaps: SPMs will reflect on past interactions with stakeholders to identify common points of miscommunication.

• Active listening practice: Role-playing exercises where one participant acts as an international stakeholder and the other as the SPM. They practice paraphrasing and confirming understanding of project objectives.

• Simplifying technical language: SPMs will practice breaking down complex concepts into more digestible explanations using plain language.

• Homework:

• Prepare a 3-5 minute verbal project update to present in the next session. Focus on clarity and simplifying complex concepts while ensuring all key points are covered.

• List out two recent situations where communication could have been clearer and suggest how you would approach them differently after this session.

Session 2: Structuring Effective Written Communication

• Objective: Improve the SPM’s ability to write clear, concise, and structured project emails or reports for international stakeholders.

• Focus: Developing concise written communication for project updates and clarifying objectives.
  Key Activities:

• Email structure practice: Review examples of poorly structured project emails and identify common mistakes (e.g., vague language, unclear objectives). Then, practice writing a concise, well-structured email update for an international stakeholder.

• Handling miscommunication: SPMs will work in pairs, where one sends an email that contains ambiguity, and the other responds with clarifying questions. This exercise focuses on eliminating misunderstandings.

• Present verbal update: Each participant presents their verbal update (prepared as homework) to practice clarity in both written and verbal communication.

• Homework:

• Write a detailed project update email, focusing on conciseness and structure. The email should include objectives, key deliverables, and any potential risks or concerns.

• Review the emails of a peer to identify gaps in clarity and suggest improvements.

Session 3: Building Rapport and Managing Difficult Conversations

• Objective: Strengthen SPMs' ability to build trust and handle difficult conversations with international stakeholders, leading to better relationships and faster decision-making.

• Focus: Establishing rapport through empathy, managing conflicts or misunderstandings, and improving stakeholder confidence.
  Key Activities:

• Role-playing difficult conversations: SPMs will practice handling challenging interactions (e.g., a stakeholder not understanding a project delay or change). Focus will be on keeping the conversation professional, empathetic, and solution-oriented.

• Building rapport: Discuss cultural nuances in communication and how to adapt language to international stakeholders. SPMs will practice asking open-ended questions and expressing empathy to build stronger relationships.

• Actionable next steps: Participants will draft a follow-up email summarizing the key points of a difficult conversation, showing how they have provided clarity and set expectations.

• Homework:

• Develop a strategy for improving communication with one specific stakeholder in your current project. Write a brief action plan on how you will approach them differently based on the skills learned.

• Implement the strategy over the following week and reflect on any changes in the relationship or communication effectiveness.

Tangible Results:

By the end of this 3-session program, SPMs should experience:

1. Fewer misunderstandings: Stakeholders will have a clearer understanding of project goals, objectives, and deliverables.

2. Faster decision-making: Improved clarity will help accelerate decision-making processes.

3. Improved relationships: SPMs will build stronger rapport and trust with international clients and partners.

4. Higher stakeholder confidence: Stakeholders will feel more confident in the SPM’s ability to manage projects effectively.

This program will help participants actively address communication gaps and foster more productive international project collaborations.

Session 1: Fundamentals of Clear and Professional Communication

• Objective: Equip SPMs with techniques for clear, structured verbal communication when discussing project updates, goals, and deliverables.

• Focus: Understanding language barriers, active listening, and simplifying complex concepts.
  Key Activities:

• Identifying communication gaps: SPMs will reflect on past interactions with stakeholders to identify common points of miscommunication.

• Active listening practice: Role-playing exercises where one participant acts as an international stakeholder and the other as the SPM. They practice paraphrasing and confirming understanding of project objectives.

• Simplifying technical language: SPMs will practice breaking down complex concepts into more digestible explanations using plain language.

• Homework:

• Prepare a 3-5 minute verbal project update to present in the next session. Focus on clarity and simplifying complex concepts while ensuring all key points are covered.

• List out two recent situations where communication could have been clearer and suggest how you would approach them differently after this session.

Session 2: Structuring Effective Written Communication

• Objective: Improve the SPM’s ability to write clear, concise, and structured project emails or reports for international stakeholders.

• Focus: Developing concise written communication for project updates and clarifying objectives.
  Key Activities:

• Email structure practice: Review examples of poorly structured project emails and identify common mistakes (e.g., vague language, unclear objectives). Then, practice writing a concise, well-structured email update for an international stakeholder.

• Handling miscommunication: SPMs will work in pairs, where one sends an email that contains ambiguity, and the other responds with clarifying questions. This exercise focuses on eliminating misunderstandings.

• Present verbal update: Each participant presents their verbal update (prepared as homework) to practice clarity in both written and verbal communication.

• Homework:

• Write a detailed project update email, focusing on conciseness and structure. The email should include objectives, key deliverables, and any potential risks or concerns.

• Review the emails of a peer to identify gaps in clarity and suggest improvements.

Session 3: Building Rapport and Managing Difficult Conversations

• Objective: Strengthen SPMs' ability to build trust and handle difficult conversations with international stakeholders, leading to better relationships and faster decision-making.

• Focus: Establishing rapport through empathy, managing conflicts or misunderstandings, and improving stakeholder confidence.
  Key Activities:

• Role-playing difficult conversations: SPMs will practice handling challenging interactions (e.g., a stakeholder not understanding a project delay or change). Focus will be on keeping the conversation professional, empathetic, and solution-oriented.

• Building rapport: Discuss cultural nuances in communication and how to adapt language to international stakeholders. SPMs will practice asking open-ended questions and expressing empathy to build stronger relationships.

• Actionable next steps: Participants will draft a follow-up email summarizing the key points of a difficult conversation, showing how they have provided clarity and set expectations.

• Homework:

• Develop a strategy for improving communication with one specific stakeholder in your current project. Write a brief action plan on how you will approach them differently based on the skills learned.

• Implement the strategy over the following week and reflect on any changes in the relationship or communication effectiveness.

Tangible Results:

By the end of this 3-session program, SPMs should experience:

1. Fewer misunderstandings: Stakeholders will have a clearer understanding of project goals, objectives, and deliverables.

2. Faster decision-making: Improved clarity will help accelerate decision-making processes.

3. Improved relationships: SPMs will build stronger rapport and trust with international clients and partners.

4. Higher stakeholder confidence: Stakeholders will feel more confident in the SPM’s ability to manage projects effectively.

This program will help participants actively address communication gaps and foster more productive international project collaborations.

Session 1: Understanding Change Requests

• Objective: Equip SPMs with techniques to fully understand and interpret change requests, ensuring that the nature, scope, and impact are clear before moving forward.

• Focus: Breaking down change requests, identifying key elements (scope, timeline, budget), and asking the right questions to ensure clarity.
  Key Activities:

• Breakdown of a change request: Review a sample change request, identifying the critical elements (scope, timeline, budget, and resources). SPMs will practice dissecting requests and highlighting areas that may cause confusion or require clarification.

• Active questioning techniques: Participants will learn and practice asking open-ended and clarifying questions to ensure they fully understand the change request from the client or stakeholder.

• Case study discussion: Analyze real-life examples of misinterpreted change requests and discuss the negative consequences that occurred.

• Homework:

• Review a recent change request from your project and write down any areas where you feel clarification is needed. Prepare a list of questions you would ask to ensure full understanding of the change.

• Draft a short summary of how you would communicate the change request to your internal team to ensure alignment.

Session 2: Communicating Change Requests Clearly

• Objective: Teach SPMs how to effectively communicate the nature, scope, and impact of change requests to both internal and external stakeholders.

• Focus: Ensuring that changes are communicated with clear language, avoiding ambiguity, and aligning all stakeholders on the changes required.
  Key Activities:

• Writing clear change summaries: Participants will practice writing concise summaries of change requests, focusing on clarity, structure, and precision. The aim is to ensure that stakeholders fully understand the request without ambiguity.

• Role-playing: Participants will role-play conversations where they must communicate a change request to both a client and an internal team. This exercise will focus on ensuring all key details are covered and there are no misunderstandings.

• Feedback session: Review homework from the previous session, providing feedback on the questions and summary provided.

• Homework:

• Write a clear and concise email to communicate a change request to your stakeholders (both internal and external). Ensure the email covers the nature of the change, its scope, and any potential impact on timelines or budget.

• Peer review: Share your draft email with another participant for feedback on clarity and completeness.

Session 3: Managing Expectations and Minimizing Scope Creep

• Objective: Provide SPMs with strategies to manage stakeholder expectations regarding change requests, preventing scope creep, and ensuring changes are implemented smoothly.

• Focus: Setting boundaries with clients and stakeholders to avoid unnecessary changes, maintaining project scope, and ensuring alignment.
  Key Activities:

• Expectation-setting techniques: Discuss methods for managing client and stakeholder expectations when it comes to changes. SPMs will learn how to set clear boundaries to avoid scope creep and misaligned expectations.

• Managing scope creep: Review common scenarios where scope creep occurs and how to avoid it through clear, proactive communication and negotiation with stakeholders.

• Final review exercise: Participants will review a new change request, identify areas where scope creep could happen, and write a response that both acknowledges the request and manages expectations.

• Homework:

• Draft a communication plan for a change request, including how you will manage stakeholder expectations and mitigate the risk of scope creep.

• Reflect on a recent change request in your current or past project: How would you approach it differently using the techniques learned in the course?

Tangible Results:

By the end of this 3-session program, SPMs should experience:

1. Accurate interpretation of change requests: SPMs will be able to understand and interpret change requests fully, ensuring no details are missed.

2. Reduced scope creep and misaligned expectations: SPMs will learn how to avoid unnecessary changes that expand the project scope or lead to misaligned expectations.

3. Faster response time to change requests: Improved proficiency in English will help SPMs communicate changes more efficiently and reduce delays.

4. Improved stakeholder trust and satisfaction: Stakeholders will have greater confidence that their change requests are being understood and implemented correctly.

5. Enhanced risk management: SPMs will be better prepared to handle the risks associated with changes, leading to fewer disruptions in project execution.

This program will equip participants with the skills to handle change requests effectively, ensuring clarity and alignment with all stakeholders.

The focus is on creating clear, concise, and professional business documents. Each lesson includes the objective, content, and activities to reinforce the skills necessary for crafting high-quality business documents.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Business Documentation

• Objective: Understand the principles of effective business documentation and the importance of clarity, conciseness, and professionalism.
• Content: Types of business documents (emails, reports, memos, proposals, etc.), structure, tone, and common business vocabulary.
• Activities:
  • Group discussion on different types of business documents and their purposes.
  • Analyze sample documents to identify key structural elements.
  • Create a checklist of essential elements for writing effective business documents.

Lesson 2: Writing Professional Emails

• Objective: Master the structure, tone, and language of professional email communication.
• Content: Subject lines, salutations, formal vs. informal tone, organizing content, and common email phrases.
• Activities:
  • Write professional emails for different scenarios (e.g., request for information, follow-up, complaint).
  • Peer review of emails for tone, structure, and clarity.
  • Group discussion on the importance of brevity and clarity in email writing.

Lesson 3: Crafting Effective Business Reports

• Objective: Develop skills to create clear, well-structured business reports.
• Content: Structure of business reports (introduction, body, conclusion, recommendations), using bullet points, headings, and subheadings, and summarizing data.
• Activities:
  • Write a brief report on a business issue, focusing on clear structure and use of data.
  • Peer feedback on report organization and clarity.
  • Group discussion on the use of visual elements (charts, graphs) in reports.

Lesson 4: Writing Clear and Concise Business Memos

• Objective: Learn how to write concise, targeted business memos for internal communication.
• Content: Purpose of memos, key sections (header, subject line, body, action), and maintaining a formal yet concise tone.
• Activities:
  • Write a memo addressing a specific internal issue (e.g., meeting reminder, policy change).
  • Group review and critique of memo clarity and conciseness.
  • Discussion on the differences between emails and memos in business settings.

Lesson 5: Business Proposals and Persuasive Writing

• Objective: Develop skills to write persuasive business proposals that effectively convey ideas and recommendations.
• Content: Structure of proposals (introduction, objectives, methodology, benefits, costs), persuasive language, and supporting arguments with data.
• Activities:
  • Draft a short business proposal for a product or service.
  • Group feedback on the effectiveness of arguments and the structure of the proposal.
  • Role-play presenting the proposal to a client or stakeholder, focusing on clarity and persuasiveness.

Lesson 6: Creating Effective Meeting Agendas and Minutes

• Objective: Learn to create well-organized agendas and accurate meeting minutes.
• Content: Purpose of agendas and minutes, structuring an agenda (topics, time allocation), and summarizing discussions and decisions in minutes.
• Activities:
  • Write an agenda for a business meeting, including key points and objectives.
  • Simulate a meeting, and learners take turns writing minutes.
  • Group discussion on common challenges when writing minutes and strategies to overcome them.

Lesson 7: Executive Summaries and Business Overviews

• Objective: Master the art of summarizing complex information into clear, concise executive summaries.
• Content: Purpose of executive summaries, focusing on key points, presenting conclusions and recommendations, and maintaining brevity.
• Activities:
  • Write an executive summary for a detailed business report.
  • Peer review of summaries for clarity, conciseness, and coverage of key points.
  • Group discussion on the importance of executive summaries for busy stakeholders.

Lesson 8: Documenting Policies and Procedures

• Objective: Learn how to write clear, accessible documentation for business policies and procedures.
• Content: Structure of policy and procedure documents, using clear, instructional language, and avoiding ambiguity.
• Activities:
  • Draft a simple policy or procedure document (e.g., a company’s leave policy or safety protocol).
  • Group review of clarity, consistency, and readability of policy documents.
  • Discuss the role of these documents in ensuring compliance and efficiency in a business.

Lesson 9: Writing Contracts and Legal Documentation

• Objective: Understand the structure and language of basic contracts and legal agreements.
• Content: Key sections of a contract (parties, terms, obligations, termination), legal vocabulary, and the importance of clarity and specificity.
• Activities:
  • Review sample contracts and identify key clauses and legal terminology.
  • Practice drafting or modifying a simple contract or service agreement.
  • Group discussion on common legal terms and their business implications.

Lesson 10: Editing and Proofreading Business Documents

• Objective: Enhance skills in editing and proofreading to ensure accuracy and professionalism in business documents.
• Content: Common errors in business writing (grammar, punctuation, tone), proofreading techniques, and tips for maintaining clarity and consistency.
• Activities:
  • Edit and proofread a business document for errors in grammar, tone, and formatting.
  • Partner activity: Exchange documents and proofread each other’s work, providing constructive feedback.
  • Group discussion on best practices for maintaining document consistency and professionalism.

Summary of Activities:

• Writing Exercises: Learners write and revise various business documents (emails, reports, memos, etc.).
• Peer Review: Learners review each other’s work, focusing on clarity, tone, structure, and professionalism.
• Group Discussions: Analyze real-world business document samples, discussing strengths and areas for improvement.
• Role-play and Simulations: Practice writing proposals, meeting minutes, and agendas in simulated business scenarios.
• Editing and Proofreading: Develop skills to refine and finalize business documents, ensuring error-free, professional communication.

This course focuses on practical, hands-on learning to help participants master the writing skills needed for effective business documentation, preparing them to handle a wide range of professional writing tasks with confidence and clarity.

This 10-session program is designed to help upper-intermediate professionals improve their business English vocabulary for creating clear, concise, and professional business documents. Each session focuses on essential terminology used in emails, reports, proposals, meeting minutes, risk documents, financial reports, and more. Through practical exercises, document analysis, and writing tasks, students will enhance their vocabulary, refine their writing skills, and improve clarity in professional communication. By the end of the program, students will confidently apply business-specific vocabulary in various documents, ensuring precision, professionalism, and effectiveness in their workplace communication. The course is 1-to-1, interactive, and highly practical.

Session 1: Introduction to Business Documentation Vocabulary

Objective: The student will understand the role of vocabulary in creating professional business documents.

Content: Introduction to commonly used terms in business documentation, including formal tone, structure, and clarity.

Activities:
✅ Discuss the importance of precise vocabulary in business documents.
✅ Review key terms (e.g., proposal, report, executive summary, deliverable).
✅ Analyze a sample business document and identify essential vocabulary.
✅ Create a personal glossary of frequently used business terms.

Session 2: Vocabulary for Formal Emails and Correspondence

Objective: The student will develop the vocabulary needed for professional email communication.

Content: Common phrases, polite expressions, and structured writing techniques for business emails.

Activities:
✅ Review formal vs. informal email language.
✅ Identify professional email phrases (e.g., “Please find attached,” “I appreciate your prompt response”).
✅ Rewrite informal emails using formal business vocabulary.
✅ Practice writing and editing professional emails.

Session 3: Key Vocabulary for Reports and Executive Summaries

Objective: The student will use appropriate vocabulary for writing clear and structured business reports.

Content: Terms related to data presentation, analysis, and recommendations in reports.

Activities:
✅ Review vocabulary for different sections of a report (e.g., “findings,” “recommendations,” “scope”).
✅ Read and analyze an executive summary, highlighting key terms.
✅ Practice writing a brief executive summary with appropriate vocabulary.
✅ Provide feedback on vocabulary use for clarity and professionalism.

Session 4: Vocabulary for Business Proposals and Strategy Documents

Objective: The student will use precise vocabulary to create persuasive and structured business proposals.

Content: Essential words and phrases for structuring and presenting proposals.

Activities:
✅ Review proposal-specific vocabulary (e.g., “scope of work,” “cost analysis,” “business case”).
✅ Analyze a sample proposal and extract key terms.
✅ Practice writing a project proposal introduction using formal business vocabulary.
✅ Revise and improve proposal wording for clarity and impact.

Session 5: Vocabulary for Meeting Minutes and Action Items

Objective: The student will learn the vocabulary used in documenting meeting discussions and action points.

Content: Standardized language for recording decisions, responsibilities, and next steps.

Activities:
✅ Review key terms for meeting documentation (e.g., “agenda,” “action item,” “follow-up”).
✅ Analyze sample meeting minutes and identify important vocabulary.
✅ Practice summarizing a mock meeting using precise vocabulary.
✅ Revise and refine meeting notes for professionalism and clarity.

Session 6: Vocabulary for Risk and Compliance Documentation

Objective: The student will understand and use specialized vocabulary in risk and compliance-related documents.

Content: Industry-specific terms used in compliance reports, risk assessments, and governance documents.

Activities:
✅ Review essential risk and compliance terms (e.g., “mitigation,” “due diligence,” “policy adherence”).
✅ Analyze a compliance report to identify key vocabulary.
✅ Practice writing a short risk assessment summary using professional language.
✅ Discuss how vocabulary choices impact clarity and legal precision.

Session 7: Language for Performance Reviews and Employee Feedback

Objective: The student will use professional vocabulary to write structured performance reviews and feedback reports.

Content: Phrases and structures used in performance assessments and professional feedback.

Activities:
✅ Review performance review vocabulary (e.g., “meets expectations,” “areas for improvement,” “demonstrates leadership”).
✅ Analyze a sample performance review to understand tone and key phrases.
✅ Practice writing constructive feedback using precise vocabulary.
✅ Edit and refine feedback statements to maintain professionalism.

Session 8: Writing Clear and Concise Business Instructions

Objective: The student will use direct and precise language to write clear business instructions and procedures.

Content: Common phrases for step-by-step instructions, user guides, and procedural documents.

Activities:
✅ Identify common vocabulary used in instructions (e.g., “ensure,” “verify,” “follow these steps”).
✅ Analyze a process document and highlight key instruction words.
✅ Write a short procedural guide using structured vocabulary.
✅ Review and revise for clarity, conciseness, and professionalism.

Session 9: Vocabulary for Financial and Budgeting Documents

Objective: The student will understand and apply financial vocabulary in reports, budgets, and forecasts.

Content: Terms used in financial documentation, including budgeting, expense tracking, and revenue reports.

Activities:
✅ Review common financial terms (e.g., “budget allocation,” “cost projection,” “revenue forecast”).
✅ Analyze a budget report and extract key financial terms.
✅ Practice writing a short financial update using precise vocabulary.
✅ Discuss clarity in financial reporting and refine wording for accuracy.

Session 10: Applying Business Vocabulary in a Full-Length Document

Objective: The student will integrate newly acquired vocabulary to create a complete, professional business document.

Content: Practical application of vocabulary skills through writing and reviewing a business document.

Activities:
✅ Choose a document type (e.g., report, proposal, meeting minutes) for final assessment.
✅ Write a structured draft using learned vocabulary.
✅ Review and edit the document for vocabulary accuracy and clarity.
✅ Discuss key takeaways and areas for continued vocabulary improvement.

This 10-session program is designed to help professional Project Managers improve their practical verbal communication skills for business settings. It covers key areas such as meetings, presentations, negotiations, client interactions, and handling difficult conversations. Each session introduces essential business phrases and strategies, followed by discussions, phrase practice, and written activities to reinforce learning. Topics include managing expectations, giving feedback, summarizing conversations, and building confidence in small talk. The final session consolidates all skills, ensuring learners can communicate clearly and professionally. By the end of the program, participants will have greater confidence and improved verbal and written business communication.

Session 1: Introduction to Effective Communication in Business

Objective: Understand the importance of clear and confident communication in business settings.

Content: Introduce key business communication principles and essential vocabulary for meeting and presentation interactions.

Activities:
✅ Discussion: Explore what makes communication in business effective and the differences between formal and informal communication.
✅ Vocabulary Building: Introduce and review essential business phrases for meetings and presentations (e.g., “Can you elaborate on…?”, “Let’s move on to the next point.”).
✅ Written Activity: Create a short summary of key communication principles in business, focusing on vocabulary usage in business interactions.

Session 2: Mastering Meetings

Objective: Practice effective communication for running and participating in meetings.

Content: Focus on the key phrases and techniques used to set up, conduct, and follow up on meetings with professionalism.

Activities:
✅ Discussion: Review common challenges in meetings and discuss strategies for handling them effectively.
✅ Phrase Practice: Practice key meeting phrases for scheduling, chairing, and following up (e.g., “I suggest we schedule this for...,” “Let’s summarize the action points.”).
✅ Written Activity: Write an email summarizing a meeting, focusing on clarity and action items.

Session 3: Presenting Information Clearly

Objective: Learn how to confidently present business information.

Content: Cover essential presentation phrases, structuring a presentation, and presenting data clearly and concisely.

Activities:
✅ Discussion: Talk about strategies for structuring a presentation and keeping the audience engaged.
✅ Phrases Practice: Focus on presenting key points clearly, using language like “To summarize...,” “As shown in the graph...,” and “In conclusion...”
✅ Written Activity: Draft a short business presentation outline, focusing on clear transitions between points.

Session 4: Handling Negotiations

Objective: Understand how to communicate effectively during negotiations.

Content: Explore negotiation phrases and techniques for offering alternatives, seeking clarification, and maintaining professionalism.

Activities:
✅ Discussion: Discuss common negotiation scenarios and language used in these situations.
✅ Phrases Practice: Practice negotiating language, such as “Would you consider...?”, “How about an alternative...?”, and “Let’s agree on a solution.”
✅ Written Activity: Write a negotiation email, using formal language and negotiation phrases.

Session 5: Handling Difficult Conversations

Objective: Develop skills for having difficult conversations, including giving feedback.

Content: Learn key phrases for giving constructive feedback and staying calm and professional in challenging conversations.

Activities:
✅ Discussion: Discuss different types of difficult conversations (e.g., delivering bad news, giving feedback) and strategies for managing them.
✅ Phrases Practice: Role-play giving constructive feedback with language like “I’d like to offer some feedback on...,” “Let’s work together to solve this issue.”
✅ Written Activity: Write a feedback email, using polite and constructive language.

Session 6: Building Confidence in Small Talk

Objective: Practice informal communication and building rapport in business settings.

Content: Discuss small talk strategies for initiating and maintaining professional yet friendly conversations.

Activities:
✅ Discussion: Explore the importance of small talk and how it can help in building professional relationships.
✅ Phrases Practice: Practice small talk phrases for opening conversations and finding common ground (e.g., “How’s your week been so far?”, “Have you been working on any interesting projects?”).
✅ Written Activity: Write a casual email introducing yourself to a new colleague, using small talk techniques.

Session 7: Effective Questioning and Clarification

Objective: Master the art of asking questions and seeking clarification in business settings.

Content: Focus on effective questioning techniques and phrases to ensure clear understanding and address uncertainties.

Activities:
✅ Discussion: Talk about the different types of questions used in business and when to use them (open vs. closed questions).
✅ Phrases Practice: Practice asking for clarification with phrases like “Could you explain that in more detail?”, “I’m not sure I understand, could you clarify?”.
✅ Written Activity: Write a list of questions to ask during a client meeting, ensuring that they are clear and open-ended.

Session 8: Managing Client Expectations

Objective: Communicate effectively with clients, especially when managing expectations.

Content: Learn to use professional language to manage client expectations, handle potential disappointments, and set realistic goals.

Activities:

✅ Discussion: Discuss strategies for managing client expectations and dealing with misunderstandings.
✅ Phrases Practice: Practice managing expectations using phrases like “I understand your concern, however...,” “Let’s align on realistic goals.”
✅ Written Activity: Draft a client email addressing expectations and providing clear guidance on what can be delivered.

Session 9: Closing and Summarizing Conversations

Objective: Learn how to effectively close meetings and conversations.

Content: Practice closing conversations with clarity, summarizing key points, and making action points clear and actionable.

Activities:
✅ Discussion: Talk about the importance of closing conversations professionally, summarizing key points and actions.
✅ Phrases Practice: Practice closing conversations with phrases like “To summarize...,” “Let’s confirm the next steps...,” “I’ll follow up with the details.”
✅ Written Activity: Write a closing email for a meeting, summarizing action points and confirming the next steps.

Session 10: Review and Application

Objective: Review all the communication skills learned and apply them to a final task.

Content: Review and consolidate the key communication phrases and skills from all previous sessions, applying them to a final practical exercise.

Activities:
✅ Review: Go over key phrases and concepts from all previous sessions to ensure understanding.
✅ Application Practice: Engage in a final conversation or written task that incorporates all learned skills (e.g., preparing a business email that incorporates various techniques, or summarizing a client meeting).
✅ Written Activity: Write a reflection on the skills learned throughout the program and identify areas of confidence and areas for continued improvement.

This course is designed to help project managers improve their English proficiency by mastering key vocabulary and communication skills related to portfolio, program, project, and product management. Through eight interactive sessions, participants will develop confidence in using industry-specific terminology, writing clear business communications, and engaging in professional discussions with international stakeholders. The course includes practical exercises such as case studies, role-plays, business writing tasks, and fluency drills to ensure learners can apply their knowledge effectively. By the end, participants will be able to communicate more clearly, structure reports and presentations professionally, and navigate complex project discussions with ease.

Session 1: Portfolio Management Vocabulary

Objective: Understand key portfolio management vocabulary and how portfolios align with business strategy.

Content: covers the definitions of portfolio, strategic alignment, governance, and resource allocation, and differentiates between portfolio, program, and project management.

Activities:
✅Matching Exercise – Match vocabulary words with definitions.
✅Discussion Prompt – “How does your company manage project portfolios?”
✅Case Study Review – Analyze a real-world portfolio management scenario.

Session 2: Program Management Vocabulary

Objective: develop familiarity with program management terminology and understand how programs create value through coordinated projects.

Content: explores program management definitions such as program, benefits realization, interdependencies, and governance, and clarifies the differences between programs and projects.

Activities:
✅Scenario Exercise – Identify how a program supports strategic goals.
✅Vocabulary Application – Use program management terms in sentences.
✅Role-Play – Explain a program’s benefits to a senior stakeholder.

Session 3: Project Management Vocabulary

Objective: gain confidence in using project management terminology and understand the key phases of a project lifecycle.

Content: defines scope, deliverables, risk mitigation, and stakeholder management, and outlines five project phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring, and Closure.

Activities:
✅Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise – Use terms in real-world examples.
✅Project Status Update Role-Play – Provide a project update to a stakeholder.
✅Compare & Contrast – Identify differences between project and program management.

Session 4: Product Management Vocabulary

Objective: understand key product management vocabulary and how the product lifecycle impacts projects and programs.

Content: Introduces product roadmap, backlog, MVP (Minimum Viable Product), and iteration, along with the stages of the product lifecycle: Introduction, Growth, Maturity, and Decline.

Activities:
✅Sorting Exercise – Match product lifecycle stages with definitions.
✅Discussion Prompt – “How does product management interact with projects and programs?”
✅Case Study Analysis – Examine a product launch scenario.

Session 5: Business Case Analysis & Vocabulary in Context

Objective: apply learned vocabulary to business case discussions and communicate project challenges effectively.

Content: explains the structure of a business case—including problem, solution, benefits, risks, and costs—and focuses on using professional language to describe project challenges.

Activities:
✅Case Study Analysis – Discuss four mini case studies.
✅Matching Exercise – Match terms to business case elements.
✅Stakeholder Role-Play – Present a business case to a senior executive.

Session 6: Writing for Business Communication

Objective: Improve written communication skills by structuring emails, reports, and meeting summaries using professional business English.

Content: Covers effective email structure (Greeting, Main Message, Call to Action, Closing) and key business terms such as action items, deliverables, escalation, and dependencies.

Activities:
✅Email Writing Exercise – Write a project status update and a vendor request.
✅Report Writing – Draft a brief project summary.
✅Business Chat Practice – Write a concise Teams/Slack message.

Session 7: Verbal Communication & Presentation Skills

Objective: Enhance spoken communication skills, improve clarity in stakeholder discussions, and deliver structured project updates confidently.

Content:Focuses on the structure of effective presentations (Introduction, Key Points, Conclusion) and strategies for handling stakeholder questions professionally.

Activities:
✅ Impromptu Speaking Challenge – Speak about a given project term for 2 minutes.
✅ Presentation Practice – Deliver a short presentation on a past project.
✅ Stakeholder Role-Play – Respond to a difficult stakeholder’s question.

Session 8: Fluency Drills, Role-Plays, and Final Review

Objective: Apply all learned vocabulary in real-world project discussions and strengthen fluency in professional business communication.

Content: Reviews key terms across portfolio, program, project, and product management, and focuses on handling conflict resolution in project settings.

Activities:
✅ Project Review Simulation – Conduct a formal project review.
✅ Conflict Resolution Role-Play – Manage a difficult stakeholder interaction.
✅ Vocabulary Mastery Challenge – Fill-in-the-blank vocabulary test.