Course Descriptions

All regular IPD sessions include the following courses:

Corporate Seminars and Visits

Omaha is home to more than 30,000 businesses, including the headquarters of several Fortune 500 companies. The city has earned recognition from Kiplinger’s, KPMG, and Forbes for its business-friendly environment. Visit many of these local corporations and meet leaders in marketing, medicine, commerce, communication, banking, and international trade, all located in the Greater Omaha area. Gain experience through interaction with diverse business models and professional practices. This is a great opportunity to apply what is learned in the classroom and experience business in action.

Active Listening

Active Listening generates trust, respect, and rapport in business. Learn and practice internationally-recognized active listening techniques in English that are critical to building and maintaining effective professional relationships.

Leadership Communications

Explore the core characteristics and the English vocabulary of effective leaders and learn how to apply them. Through examining real-world cases, listening to speakers, completing questionnaires, and engaging in active role-play, participants learn the practices of effective business leaders 1and how to apply them to professional and organizational goals.

Discussion Skills and Topics

Gain confidence in English fluency by practicing conversation with native English speakers. Discussions with conversation partners about customs and activities in Nebraska and the United States, as well as a variety of cultural topics, will help in developing the conversation skills necessary to network and participate comfortably in business and social activities.

Business Management Practices

Study fundamental skills and English terminology for successful management in today's complex global business environment. Participants examine recognized management theories and related practical applications in an international context. Strengths and weaknesses of each theory are discussed and applied to individual company case studies.

Effective Professional Presentations

Identify the framework and receive the practical coaching necessary to help project a confident, positive and credible image when giving business presentations in the English language. Participants will have the opportunity to view and analyze their existing presentation method as well as their progress during the course through digital recordings. Class objectives also include preparing presentation slides in English, strategies for overcoming anxiety, using body language to facilitate understanding, managing the question and answer session, and preparing for the capstone project.

Global Business Communications

Expand the intercultural business awareness critical for success in a global environment. GBC examines the cultural, attitudinal, and behavioral differences that affect intercultural communication in the English language and how to manage them. Through discussion and role-play, participants gain insight into how to communicate effectively with business associates from different cultures.

Authentic Business Reading

Develop a framework for an optimal reading strategy. Participants will examine the importance of a dynamic reading process and use authentic business texts to expand their business vocabulary. They apply these dynamic reading skills to improve comprehension, retention, and speed.

Business Writing Fundamentals

Learn to communicate effectively by increasing English writing abilities in a variety of business situations. Learn to produce polished business documents that are concise, clear, and professional. Participants will prepare a number of different documents such as professional introductions, e-mails, memos, letters, reports, and business plans.

Strategic Sales and Winning Negotiations

Learn the fundamentals of the sales and negotiation processes in a global market. Participants will increase their confidence in English communication skills through role-play in various sales and negotiation situations, including making appointments, developing sales presentations, handling customer questions and objections, negotiating, and completing the sale.

Community Engagement Events

Improve English listening and speaking skills, become acquainted with new people and customs, and acquire cultural insight by joining these collaborative educational events. Held three times each session, these occasions are designed to provide participants with a chance to experience different aspects of life and culture in the United States.

The following customized courses can be added to the standard program at an additional charge:

One-on-One Meetings

This custom-built course provides the participant with first-hand exposure to U.S. practices of business and commerce by developing a personalized meeting of four hours or more with a business leader in the industry of their choice. This gives the trainee the chance to apply what they learn in the classroom, learn more about the chosen area of business, and expand their business network.

Private Language Lessons

This private course helps enhance language skills in areas needing improvement on an individual basis. These lessons are by the hour, at various lengths, depending on the needs of the participant.

Undergraduate and Graduate Class Audits

This arrangement allows trainees to customize their program by auditing, or observing without earning college credit, undergraduate or graduate classes, usually in the College of Business.

Business English On-Site

In tandem with the IPD capstone project, this course gives the participant opportunities to apply the skills learned in class and actively practice them in a real-world professional environment. During this module the participant will spend time engaged in business activity and meet weekly with an IPD advisor to review experiences while focusing on continued dynamic skill development.