How to write a Business Letter

Wiki is helpful:
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Business-Letter

other sample letters:
http://www.englishclub.com/business-english/correspondence-samples.htm

http://www.angelo.edu/services/career/documents/Sample%20Business%20Letters.pdf

and you can find plenty here:
http://books.google.ca/books?id=Hu5UELIyBggC&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=business+letters+examples&source=bl&ots=vZgHcmk8_C&sig=u2DNimRW21kseSgQRCN2EDHa99Y&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JnnBUpOvDLHsygOy0oGoBg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=business%20letters%20examples&f=false

simplified, visual structure:
http://www.cengage.com/resource_uploads/downloads/0538728841_177015.pdf



I would like to remind you please to send me some of your work, or to post it. I have made the blog private, nobody except our own class can read it.

Best wishes,
Anny

Xmas Homework

You will have to read a book. Please summarize chapter by chapter [briefly], add your own critical note and a little information about the Author. You can choose your book from the previous list of sites that offer free books, otherwise just select one from the following link:

http://www.epubbooks.com/books

Preparing for the Xmas holidays

The Happy Prince and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde
https://archive.org/stream/happyprinceother02wild#page/n0/mode/2up

or
https://archive.org/stream/happyprinceotherwild#page/n7/mode/2up

and for more books:
Gutenberg.org
http://www.gutenberg.org

Wikibooks by Subject
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Subject:Books_by_subject

Internet Archive
https://archive.org

Internet Archive: Open Library
https://openlibrary.org

Internet Archive: Texts [The Internet Archive's Digital Books Collections]
https://archive.org/details/texts

E-books at the University of Adelaide
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au



***

Dictionaries

The best online dictionary: English_German / German_English is the following:
http://dict.leo.org/#/search=&searchLoc=0&resultOrder=basic&multiwordShowSingle=on


and for those who refer to the Italian language, WordReference.com is quite reliable:
http://www.wordreference.com/enit/

The Merriam-Webster is my choice for a monolingual dictionary:
http://www.merriam-webster.com

Exercises:

Business Letter: intro

Tone in Business Writing___

Formatting:

Accentuating the Positives___

npr: Examining U.S., European and Japan's Latest Economic Growth

http://www.npr.org/2013/11/18/245913194/lessons-learned-examining-u-s-european-and-japans-latest-economic-growth

Report cards are in for the world's biggest developed economies. The U.S. grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the third quarter, Japan at 1.9 percent and the eurozone at a measly 0.4 percent. Steve Inkseep talks to David Wessel, economics editor at The Wall Street Journal, about economic growth in the last quarter.

Steve Inskeep interviews David Wessel, economics editor of the Wall Street Journal. 

The Economist

Economic history: What can we learn from the Depression?

What is Economics?

Recession? Depression? What's the Difference?

ISDA : International Swaps and Derivatives Association

CDO & CDS : Credit Derivative Obligation
Credit Derivative Swap
Credit Derivative

hedge fund nouna limited partnership of investors that uses high risk methods, such as investing with borrowed money, in hopes of realizing large capital gains.

Grammar Exercises

Englisch-hilfen.de
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de

Why economics needs economic history

Why economics needs economic history
by Kevin Hjortshoj O'Rourke on VOX: Research-based policy analysis and commentary from leading economists
http://www.voxeu.org/article/why-economics-needs-economic-history


politics |ˈpäləˌtiks|pl.noun [ usu. treated as sing. ]the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, esp. the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power: the president's relationship with Congress is vital to American politics |thereafter he dropped out of active politics.• the activities of governments concerning the political relations between countries: in the conduct of global politics, economic status must be backed by military capacity.• the academic study of government and the state: [ as modifier ] : a politics lecturer.• activities within an organization that are aimed at improving someone's status or position and are typically considered to be devious or divisive: yet another discussion of office politics and personalities.• a particular set of political beliefs or principles: people do not buy this newspaper purely for its politics.• (often the politics of) the assumptions or principles relating to or inherent in a sphere, theory, or thing, esp. when concerned with power and status in a society: the politics of gender.PHRASESplay politicsact for political or personal gain rather than from principle.politic |ˈpäləˌtik|adjective(of an action) seeming sensible and judicious under the circumstances: [ withinfinitive ] : I did not think it politic to express my reservations.• (also politick ) archaic (of a person) prudent and sagacious.verb ( politics, politicking , politicked ) [ no obj. ] (often as nounpoliticking) often derogatoryengage in political activity: news of this unseemly politicking invariably leaks into the press.DERIVATIVESpoliticlyadverb( rare)ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French politique ‘political,’ via Latinfrom Greek politikos, from politēs ‘citizen,’ from polis ‘city.’
policy 1 |ˈpäləsē|noun ( pl.policies )a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual: the administration's controversial economic policies | it is not company policy to dispense with our older workers.• archaic prudent or expedient conduct or action: a course of policy and wisdom.ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French policie ‘civil administration,’ via Latin from Greek politeia ‘citizenship,’ from politēs‘citizen,’ from polis ‘city.’policy 2 |ˈpäləsē|noun ( pl.policies )1 a contract of insurance: they took out a joint policy.2 an illegal lottery or numbers game.ORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from French police ‘bill of lading, contract of insurance,’ from Provençal poliss(i)a, probably from medieval Latinapodissa, apodixa, based on Greek apodeixis ‘evidence, proof,’ fromapodeiknunai ‘demonstrate, show.’
empirical |emˈpirikəl|adjectivebased on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic: they provided considerable empirical evidence to support their argument.DERIVATIVESempirically adverb

unapologetic |ˌənəˌpäləˈjetik|adjectivenot acknowledging or expressing regret: he remained unapologetic about his decision.DERIVATIVESunapologetically|-ik(ə)lē|adverb

challenge |ˈCHalənj|noun1 a call to take part in a contest or competition, esp. a duel: he accepted the challenge.• a task or situation that tests someone's abilities: the ridge is a challenge for experienced climbers.• an attempt to win a contest or championship in a sport: a world title challenge.2 an objection or query as to the truth of something, often with an implicitdemand for proof: a challenge tothe legality of the order.• a sentry's call for a password or other proof of identity.• Lawan objection regarding the eligibility or suitability of a jury member.3 Medicineexposure of the immune system to pathogenic organisms orantigens: recently vaccinated calves should be protected from challenge.verb [ with obj. ]1 invite (someone) to engage in a contest: he challenged one of my men to a duel.• enter into competition with or opposition against: incumbent Democrats are being challenged in the 29th district.• make a rival claim to or threaten someone's hold on (a position): they were challenging his leadership.• [ with obj. and infinitive ] invite (someone) to do something that one thinks will be difficult or impossible; dare: I challenged them to make up their own minds.• test the abilities of: he needed something both to challenge his skills and to regain his crown as the king of the thriller.2 dispute the truth or validity of: employees challenged the company's requirement.• Lawobject to (a jury member).• (of a sentry) call on (someone) for proof of identity.3 Medicineexpose (the immune system) to pathogenic organisms or antigens.DERIVATIVESchallengeableadjective.challengernounORIGIN Middle English (in the senses ‘accusation’ and ‘accuse’): from Old French chalenge (noun), chalenger (verb), from Latin calumnia ‘calumny,’calumniari ‘calumniate.’cleavage |ˈklēvij|nouna sharp division; a split: a system dominated by the class cleavage.• the hollow between a woman's breasts when supported, esp. as exposed by a low-cut garment.• Biologycell division, esp. of a fertilized egg cell.• the splitting of rocks or crystals in a preferred plane or direction.

Useful sites for practical exercises

Learn English Today
Free English resources and materials for ESL-EFL learners of all levels.
http://www.learn-english-today.com/business-english/A-business-english-contents.html


Business English Site
A collection of grammar and vocabulary exercises for ESL students
http://www.businessenglishsite.com
http://www.businessenglishsite.com/general-business-english.html

all the topics:
http://www.neuriclearning.com/index.php?option=com_weblinks&view=category&id=74&Itemid=399&lang=en


Speak Speak
Business English vocabulary exercises
http://speakspeak.com/english-grammar-exercises/business-vocabulary


Cambridge Business English
with a Bilingual wordlist, monolingual wordlist, vocabulary practice, multimedia, test, and worksheets
http://www.cambridge.org.br/for-students/business-english


Blair English:
General Business Exercise Selection
http://www.blairenglish.com/exercises/business/business_selectionpage.html

main site with several other topics:
http://www.blairenglish.com


English Exercises: Business English
in several different levels___
http://www.englishexercises.org/buscador/buscar.asp?nivel=any&age=0&contents=business%20english


marcusevnas linugarama
divided by topics with exercises and answers
http://www.linguarama.com/ps/index.html


Esol courses
an entertaining way to learn:
http://www.esolcourses.com/content/englishforwork/englishforwork.html


E.L. Easton
Business English: vocabulary & Exercises
http://eleaston.com/biz/topics.html
___probably the most exhaustive___


Quizlet
flashcard_audio_test
http://quizlet.com/7499777/business-english-vocabulary-exercise-2-flash-cards/

Economic History
Germany's Hyperinflation-phobia
Economic history: Germany's hyperinflation-phobia | The Economist

What is Inflation or What is the meaning of Inflation :

In economics inflation means, a rise in general level of prices of goods and services in a economy over a period of time.   When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services.  Thus, inflation results in loss of value of money.   Another popular way of looking at inflation is "toomuch money chasing too few goods".   The last definition attributes the cause of inflation to monetary growth relative to the output / availability of goods and services in the economy.

In case the price of say only one commodity rise sharply but prices of other commodities fall, it will not be termed as inflation.  Similarly, in case due to rumors if the price of a commodity rise during the day itself, it will not be termed as inflation.

What are different types of inflation :

Broadly speaking inflation is divided into two categories i.e.

(a) DEMAND - PULL INFLATION:   In this type of inflation prices increase results  from an excess of demand over supply for the economy as a whole. Demand inflation occurs when supply cannot expand any more to meet demand; that is, when critical production factors are being fully utilized, also called Demand inflation.

(b) COST - PUSH INFLATION:   This type of inflation occurs when general price levels rise owing to rising input costs. In general, there are three factors that could contribute to Cost-Push inflation: rising wages, increases in corporate taxes, and imported inflation. [imported raw or partly-finished goods may become  expensive due to rise in international costs or as a result of  depreciation of local currency ]

What is Deflation ? :

Deflation is the opposite of inflation.   Deflation refers to  situation, where there is decline in general price levels.   Thus, deflation occurs when the inflation rate falls below 0% (or it is negative inflation rate).   Deflation increases the real value of money and allows one to buy more goods with the same amount of money over time.   Deflation can occur owing to reduction in the supply of money or credit.   Deflation can also occur due to  direct contractions in spending, either in the form of a reduction in government spending, personal spending or investment spending. Deflation has often had the side effect of increasing unemployment in an economy, since the process often leads to a lower level of demand in the economy.

What is Stagflation :

Stagflation refers to economic condition where economic growth is very slow or stagnant and prices are rising.  The term stagflation was coined by British politician Iain Macleod, who used the phrase in his speech to parliament in 1965, when he said: “We now have the worst of both worlds - not just inflation on the one side or stagnation on the other. We have a sort of ‘stagflation’ situation.”    The side effects of stagflation are increase in  unemployment- accompanied by a rise in prices, or inflation. Stagflation occurs when the economy isn't growing but prices are going up. At international level, this happened during mid 1970s, when world oil prices rose dramatically, fuelling sharp inflation in developed countries.
 

What is Hyperinflation :

Hyperinflation is a situation where the price increases are too sharp.  Hyperinflation often occurs when there is a large increase in the money supply, which is  not supported by growth  in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  Such a situation results  in an imbalance in the supply and demand for the money.  In this this remains  unchecked;  it results into sharp increase in prices and depreciation of the domestic  currency.

What is Headline Inflation

Headline inflation refers to inflation figure which is not adjusted for seasonality or for the often volatile elements of food & energy prices, which are removed in the Core CPI (Consumer Price Index). Headline inflation will usually be quoted on an annualized basis, meaning that a monthly headline figure of 4% inflation equates to a monthly rate that, if repeated for 12 months, would create 4% inflation for the year. Comparisons of headline inflation are typically made on a year-over-year basis. Also known as "top-line inflation".

Italian politics

A golden opportunity

The split of Silvio Berlusconi's party could boost the governing coalition

Italian politics: A golden opportunity | The Economist

The euro crisis

Debtors' prison

The euro zone is blighted by private debt even more than by government debt

The euro crisis: Debtors' prison | The Economist

The future of the oceans

Acid Test

The world's seas are becoming more acidic. How much that matters is not yet clear. But it might matter a lot

The future of the oceans: Acid test | The Economist


lubber |ˈləbər|noun1 archaic or dialect a big, clumsy person.2 short for landlubber.DERIVATIVESlubberlike|-ˌlīk|adjective.lubberlyadjective& adverbORIGIN late Middle English: perhaps via Old French lobeor ‘swindler,parasite’ from lober ‘deceive.’

leverage |ˈlev(ə)rij, ˈlēv(ə)rij|

noun

1 the exertion of force by means of a lever or an object used in the manner of a lever: my spade hit something solid that wouldn't respond to leverage.

• mechanical advantage gained by using leverage: use a metal bar to increase the leverage.

• the power to influence a person or situation to achieve a particular outcome: the right wing had lost much of its political leverage in the Assembly.

2 Financethe ratio of a company's loan capital (debt) to the value of its common stock (equity).

• the use of credit or borrowed capital to increase the earning potential of stock.

verb [ with obj. ]

1 (usu. as adj.leveraged) use borrowed capital for (an investment), expecting the profits made to be greater than the interest payable: a leveraged takeover bid.

2 use (something) to maximum advantage: the organization needs to leverage its key resources.

balance sheet |ˈbæləns ˌʃit|

noun

a statement of the assets, liabilities, and capital of a business or other organization at a particular point in time, detailing the balance of income and expenditure over the preceding period.

equity |ˈekwitē|

noun ( pl. equities )

1 the quality of being fair and impartial: equity of treatment.

• Lawa branch of law that developed alongside common law in order to remedy some of its defects in fairness and justice, formerly administered in special courts.

• ( Equity )(in the US, UK, and several other countries) a trade union to which most professional actors belong.

2 the value of the shares issued by a company: he owns 62% of the group's equity.

• (equities) stocks and shares that carry no fixed interest.

3 the value of a mortgaged property after deduction of charges against it.

ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French equité, from Latin aequitas, from aequus ‘equal.’

mortgage |ˈmôrgij|

noun

the charging of real (or personal) property by a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt (esp. one incurred by the purchase of the property), on the condition that it shall be returned on payment of the debt within a certain period.

• a deed effecting the conditions of a mortgage.

• a loan obtained through the conveyance of property as security: I put down a hundred thousand in cash and took out a mortgage for the rest.

verb [ with obj. ]

convey (a property) to a creditor as security on a loan: the estate was mortgaged up to the hilt.

• expose to future risk or constraint for the sake of immediate advantage: some people worry that selling off federal assets mortgages the country's future.

DERIVATIVES

mortgageableadjective

ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French, literally ‘dead pledge,’ from mort (from Latin mortuus ‘dead’) + gage ‘pledge.’