This document provides an introduction to business English topics including email, telephone, and curriculum vitae (CV). It discusses best practices for email subject lines, tone, and content. Key points are made about using formal vs informal language in emails and CVs. Common telephone phrases and polite ways to ask for urgent replies are also covered. Examples of Italian translations of English words that have different meanings are given at the end.

1. INTRODUCTION TO
BUSINESS ENGLISH
DR. LLOYD NWAFOR

2. TOPICS
1. EMAIL
2. TELEPHONE
3. CURRICULUM VITAE

3. THE MOST IMPORTANT - EMAIL
• SUBJECT LINE
• FORMAL OR INFORMAL
• CLEAR INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATION

4. 15% NO
85% YES

5. Why should I read
your email?
IMAGINE …
YOU’RE APPLYING FOR A JOB
SUBJECT LINE?

6. SUBJECT: AM I WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING
FOR?
SUBJECT: FANTASTIC MEETING!
THANKS FOR YOUR
VALUABLE INPUT
Example Subject Lines

7. STARTING A EMAIL
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
DEAR SIR/MADAM YOURS FAITHFULLY
DEAR MR. SMITH
DEAR MS. SMITH YOURS SINCERELY
MISS MRS MS
FORMAL

8. HI ! HEY! HELLO! WHAT’S UP?
HOW ARE YOU? HOW’S LIFE? EVERYTHING OK?
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO? WHAT’S NEW?
SPEAK SOON WRITE SOON SEE YOU LATER
LOTS OF LOVE LOVE FROM HUGS AND KISSES
INFORMAL

9. INFORMAL TEXT LANUGAGE
TY THANK YOU
ASAP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
FYI FOR YOUR INFORMATION
TBF TO BE FORWARDED
B4 BEFORE
RSVP REPLY REQUESTED
Y/N YES OR NO
PSA PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT

10. STARTING A FORMAL EMAIL
THANK YOU FOR YOU EMAIL.
I HOPE THIS EMAIL FINDS YOU WELL.
I AM WRITING IN CONNECTION TO THE MEETING WE HAD LAST WEEK.
I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO THE MEETING WE HAD LAST WEEK.
I AM WRITING WITH REFERENCE TO THE MEETING WE HAD LAST WEEK.
I AM WRITING TO YOU REGARDING A QUOTATION YOU REQUESTED

11. ENDING A FORMAL EMAIL

12. FALSE FRIENDS
ANTICIPARE – TO BRING (SOMETHING) FORWARD
I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THE MEETING FORWARD TO
WEDNESDAY, NOT FRIDAY.
ANTICIPATE – SONO IN ATTESA DI
I’M ANTICIPATING AN IMPORTANT PHONE CALL THIS
AFTERNOON.

13. ASKING FOR A REPLY POLITELY
BUT WITH URGENCY
HOW?

14. I HOPE YOU RECEIVED THE EMAIL THAT I SENT YOU
A FEW DAYS AGO. YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS MATTER
WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED AND IS VALUABLE
FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF OUR PROJECT.

15. I APOLOGIZE FOR CONTACTING YOU AGAIN SO SOON,
BUT I REALIZED THAT I HAVE TO BE IN THE UK NEXT
WEEK. IT WOULD BE A MASSIVE HELP AND OF
IMPORTANCE TO HAVE THIS MATTER RESOLVED IN
TIME BEFORE I LEAVE.

16. I UNDERSTAND YOUR SCHEDULE IS EXTREMELY BUSY
THIS WEEK, BUT WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO
PRIORITIZE A RESPONSE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE? (ASAP)
THIS IS DUE TO AN OUTSTANDING DEADLINE.

17. WE WERE WONDERING IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO
CHECK THE DETAILS THAT WE SENT YOU IN A
PREVIOUS EMAIL?
PLEASE GET BACK TO US WITH YOUR VALUABLE
OPINION ASAP. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

19. ITALIAN TRANSLATIONS
PRONTO? CHI È?
I’M READY? WHO IS IT? (INCORRECT)
Hello? Kate speaking,
who’s calling please?
ON THE PHONE

20. ITALIAN TRANSLATIONS
SONO KATE
I’M KATE (INCORRECT)
ON THE PHONE
It’s Kate here.
A: Hello is that Kate?
B: Yes, speaking.

21. ITALIAN TRANSLATIONS
SI, DIMMI.
YEAH, TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT.
(RUDE)
Good morning.
This is Kate speaking.
How can I help you?
Hello, Kate speaking. Can I help?
ON THE PHONE

22. ITALIAN TRANSLATIONS
SCUSI? CHE COSA HA DETTO?
EXCUSE ME? WHAT DID YOU SAY?
(VERY NEGATIVE)
I’m sorry, could you repeat that please?
Sorry, I didn’t catch that?
Sorry? I missed the last part?
ON THE PHONE

23. ITALIAN TRANSLATIONS
VA BENE. CI SENTIAMO. A DOPO. CIAO.
VERY GOOD. WE HEAR SOON. LATER. BYE.
(INCORRECT)
Ok then. Speak to you soon.
Goodbye then.
Anyway…. Let me know.
Speak soon. Bye!
ON THE PHONE

24. HANG ON! HOLD ON! (WAIT)
HANG ON A MINUTE, I DON’T HAVE A PEN
MAKE A CALL / TAKE A CALL / END A CALL
I NEED TO MAKE A CALL.
CAN YOU TAKE THIS CALL FOR ME?
LEAVE A VOICEMAIL MESSAGE
PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AFTER THE TONE *BEEP*
PHONE VERBS

25. TAKE A MESSAGE FOR SOMEONE
HE’S NOT AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT, CAN I TAKE A MESSAGE?
SPEAK UP (SPEAK LOUDER)
SORRY, COULD YOU SPEAK UP? I CAN’T HEAR YOU VERY WELL
GET THROUGH TO (REACH) (CONNECT)
I CAN’T GET THROUGH TO MY BOSS. HIS PHONE IS SWITCHED OFF
CALL (SOMEONE) BACK (RETURN THE CALL)
CAN I CALL BACK LATER? COULD HE CALL ME BACK?
PHONE VERBS

26. TELEPHONING EXAMPLE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-W6dXfm7YE

27. MAKE AN IMPRESSION
SHOW YOUR PRESENTATION SKILLS
POPULAR FOR NEW EMPLOYERS
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ARGUMENTS?
VIDEO CVS

28. HOW TO PREPARE
 60 TO 120 SECONDS
 SELL YOURSELF
 FIRST IMPRESSIONS
 GET SUPPORT FROM YOUR ENGLISH TEACHER
 PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
VIDEO CVS

29. YOUR SOCIAL CLASS, ETHNICITY,
WEIGHT AND AGE CAN ALL BE SEEN FROM THE FIRST 10 SECONDS.
YOU NEED TO BE VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT THE ABILITIES AND
CAPACITIES YOU BRING TO EMPLOYERS.
VIDEO CVS – NEGATIVE

30. VIDEO CVS EXAMPLE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo_vRjtkgSI

31. Italian English English Italian
Di buon senso
Sensibile
Sensible
Sensitive
Library
Book shop
Biblioteca
Libraria
Fattoria
Fabbrica
Farm
Factory
Currently
Actually
Attualmente
In realtà
Parente
Genitore
Relatives
Parents
Matter/issue
Question
Questione
Domanda
Educato
Istruito
Polite
Educated
Signature
Firm
Firma
Azienda
Fastidioso
Schizzinoso
Annoying
Fastidious/Fussy
Nice
Gentle
Gentile
Delicato
Simpatico
Empatico
Nice
Sympathetic
Rumor
Noise
Pettegolezzo
Rumore