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English for Designers: Advanced course

60 lessons built around design leadership — from a seat on the board to the keynote stage. Every lesson brings new words, recordings to listen to and grammar in context, and words from earlier lessons keep coming back so you don't forget them.

Descoperă „English for denserii”, un curs de engleză online de nivel Advanced (C1–C2) creat special pentru designeri seniori și lideri de design din Moldova. Îmbunătățește-ți vocabularul profesional și stăpânește nuanțele lingvistice avansate prin 60 de lecții structurate.

Добро пожаловать на курс «English for designers» — онлайн-курс английского языка уровня Advanced (C1–C2) для дизайн-лидеров и старших дизайнеров в Молдове. Освойте передовую бизнес-лексику и сложную грамматику за 60 структурированных уроков.

60 lessons10 units1,320 words to learnCEFR C1 → C2
Unit 1

Design at the top

Lesson1

The annual design report

Grammar reviewThe toolkit of formal writing (review): nominalisation, the passive, hedging and cohesion

22 new words: annual report, design impact report, year under review, headline achievements, strategic outcomes, portfolio of initiatives…

annual reportdesign impact reportyear under reviewheadline achievementsstrategic outcomesportfolio of initiativesmeasurable impactqualitative impactnarrative sectionforewordappendiceseditorial voiceto commission a reportto substantiate claimsexternal audienceinternal audiencetone of authorityto signal maturityto court investorsreporting seasonto underwhelmannual cycle

Lesson2

What worries me is whether design has a voice

New grammarNoun clauses as subjects and objects: the fact that…, whether…, what…, how… (What worries me is whether…) Regula →Правило →

22 new words: seat at the board, board composition, non-executive director, design representation, strategic voice, to be heard at the top…

seat at the boardboard compositionnon-executive directordesign representationstrategic voiceto be heard at the topcorporate governanceboard agendaboard packto table a paperto brief the chairboardroom dynamicsto command the roomcommercial literacyfiduciary dutyexecutive committeedesign advocacy at board levelto earn a mandatetokenismsubstantive influencea voice versus a voteinstitutional power

Lesson3

The studio is poised to be acquired

New grammarThe formal future: be to, be expected to, be slated to, be poised to, be on the verge of, be destined to Regula →Правило →

22 new words: acquisition, acquirer, target company, letter of intent, term sheet, valuation…

acquisitionacquirertarget companyletter of intentterm sheetvaluationearn-outretention packagecultural integrationbrand absorptiondeal closeannouncement embargofounder liquiditykey-person clauseintegration roadmaptalent flightto preserve the cultureindependent studioconsolidation waveexitstudio valuationstrategic buyer

Lesson4

Frankly speaking: candid design commentary

New grammarStance and viewpoint adverbials: frankly, ironically, tellingly, understandably, technically speaking, from a legal standpoint Regula →Правило →

22 new words: design commentary, critic's column, hot take, candid assessment, launch critique, public reception…

design commentarycritic's columnhot takecandid assessmentlaunch critiquepublic receptiononline discourseto pan a designto rave abouttastemakercritical consensuscontrarian viewindustry chatterto weigh indesign discourse onlinereviewer biaslaunch hypefirst-week reviewsopinion piecepublic critiqueindustry commentatorbacklash cycle

Lesson5

Leading the strategic offsite

SkillsUseful phrases for leading a strategic discussion: framing, steering, parking, converging (Let me frame the question…, Can we park that?, Where are we converging?)

22 new words: strategic offsite, leadership retreat, framing the question, let me frame the question, to steer the discussion, can we park that…

strategic offsiteleadership retreatframing the questionlet me frame the questionto steer the discussioncan we park thatwhere are we convergingparking lot itemdivergent thinkingconvergent thinkingstrategic optionshorizon planningthree horizonsbets and bets-againstpre-mortemdevil's advocateto surface disagreementto reach consensuscommitments listoffsite outputfollow-through owneralignment check

Lesson6

Revise and check: the first board meeting

Grammar reviewReview: noun clauses, the formal future, stance adverbials, strategic discussion phrases

22 new words: board paper, first impression at board, nervous energy, crisp narrative, anticipated objections, probing directors…

board paperfirst impression at boardnervous energycrisp narrativeanticipated objectionsprobing directorschair's summaryto hold your groundto defer to expertisecommercial framingrisk appetiteto make the case conciselyfollow-up paperboard minutesaction from the boarddebrief with the CEOboard confidenceto land the messageexecutive poisepost-meeting reflectionboard calendarstanding item

Unit 2

Strategy and positioning

Lesson7

Nowhere near as mature

New grammarAdvanced comparison: every bit as…, nowhere near as…, a far cry from…, more of a… than a…, twice the size of Regula →Правило →

22 new words: design maturity model, maturity assessment, capability gap, peer benchmark, best-in-class practice, laggard…

design maturity modelmaturity assessmentcapability gappeer benchmarkbest-in-class practicelaggardleader in the fieldambition gapoperating maturityto leapfrogincremental maturityaspirational targetdiagnosticmaturity roadmapgap analysis reportself-assessment biasreality checkbenchmarking partnerexternal assessormaturity scorepractice auditcapability map

Lesson8

In light of the merger

New grammarComplex prepositions: in view of, with regard to, by virtue of, in light of, notwithstanding, on behalf of, in the wake of Regula →Правило →

22 new words: merger integration, combined entity, design consolidation, harmonizing brands, redundant roles, dual design systems…

merger integrationcombined entitydesign consolidationharmonizing brandsredundant rolesdual design systemsintegration officeday-one readinessculture clashsynergy targetretention riskbrand architecture decisionunified customer experienceintegration leadbrand portfolioduplicate toolingchange programmerger announcementintegration timelinetalent mappingleadership selectioncombined roadmap

Lesson9

We owe it to users: an ethics charter

New grammarPreparatory "it" as object: make it clear that…, find it hard to…, consider it essential to…, owe it to…, take it for granted that… Regula →Правило →

22 new words: ethics charter, design ethics board, ethical review, consequence scanning, harm assessment, ethical red lines…

ethics charterdesign ethics boardethical reviewconsequence scanningharm assessmentethical red lineswhistleblowing channelrefusal to designconscientious objectionethical debtmoral courageindustry pledgeenforceabilityaccountability mechanismethics in practiceethics trainingescalation routeethical risk registervalues statementharm reviewethics championpublic commitment

Lesson10

You might have told me: a botched handover

New grammarCriticism and annoyance with modal perfects: you might have told me, could at least have…, should have known better, needn't have… Regula →Правило →

22 new words: agency transition, outgoing agency, incoming agency, handover pack, knowledge transfer, missing source files…

agency transitionoutgoing agencyincoming agencyhandover packknowledge transfermissing source filesundocumented decisionstacit knowledgeto inherit chaosprofessional courtesybad faithto point fingersdamage limitationto reconstruct workforensic reconstructionlessons for procurementtransition clauseclean handoverfile archaeologysource of truthhandover checklistvendor exit

Unit 3

The language of the design business

Unit 4

Law, ethics and governance

Lessons 21–60 are in the full level. Get all 60 lessons of this level for 210 lei, paid once: yours to keep.

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Lesson21

Open-sourcing the design system

New grammarComplex noun phrases: postmodification and apposition (the decision, taken last spring, to replace…; Ava, our head of data, …) Regula →Правило →

22 new words: open-source release, public repository, license choice, permissive license, community contributions, maintainer burden…

open-source releasepublic repositorylicense choicepermissive licensecommunity contributionsmaintainer burdenpublic roadmapissue trackergovernance charterforkdownstream adoptersemployer brandingcommunity goodwillcompetitive moatstrategic opennesscommunity managercontribution guidelinescode of conductrelease announcementpublic releaseecosystem effectstewardship model

Lesson22

Critics contend: regulating dark patterns

New grammarReporting what sources claim: argue, contend, assert, maintain, acknowledge, concede, dismiss, posit (+ that / + noun) Regula →Правило →

22 new words: deceptive design, dark pattern regulation, consumer protection, regulatory proposal, to contend, to assert…

deceptive designdark pattern regulationconsumer protectionregulatory proposalto contendto assertto rebutto stipulateto refuteto dismissto positindustry lobbyconsumer advocatesevidence baseenforcement actionfines regimecompliance burdenself-regulationvoluntary codepublic interestunintended consequencespolicy debate

Lesson23

Responding to the regulator

Grammar reviewFormal register (review): impersonal passives, the subjunctive, complex prepositions, formal conditionals

22 new words: consultation response, call for evidence, regulator, draft guidance, stakeholder submission, on behalf of the profession…

consultation responsecall for evidenceregulatordraft guidancestakeholder submissionon behalf of the professionprofessional bodyevidence annexcase examplesclarity of draftingproportionalityimplementation timelinetransitional periodunintended burdensector representativesresponse deadlinecover letter to regulatorto make representationspolicy consultationwritten evidencesector guidanceregulatory impact

Lesson24

Revise and check: the governance review

Grammar reviewReview: formal conditionals, formulaic subjunctive, complex noun phrases, reporting what sources claim

22 new words: governance review, terms of reference, independent reviewer, findings and recommendations, decision rights matrix, accountability gaps…

governance reviewterms of referenceindependent reviewerfindings and recommendationsdecision rights matrixaccountability gapsoversight bodyescalation frameworkreview panelmanagement responseimplementation trackergovernance maturityto accept recommendationsto reject with reasonstransparency commitmentaudit committeerisk committeereporting lines reviewto strengthen oversightgovernance fatiguesecond reviewclosure report

Unit 5

Judgement and critique

Lesson25

Deeply flawed, highly original

New grammarCollocations of degree: adverb + adjective intensifiers and downtoners (deeply flawed, highly unlikely, utterly convinced, vastly overrated, mildly concerned) Regula →Правило →

22 new words: critical vocabulary, deeply flawed, highly original, utterly derivative, remarkably coherent, painfully slow…

critical vocabularydeeply flawedhighly originalutterly derivativeremarkably coherentpainfully slowstrikingly elegantbitterly disappointingvastly overratedwholly unconvincingrefreshingly honestconsidered judgementnuanced verdictcritical distanceto damn with faint praiseto praise faintlybackhanded complimentcritique as craftreviewing ethicsconflict of interestdisclosurecritic's integrity

Lesson26

Far from perfect: the rebrand the public mocked

New grammarAdvanced negation: far from…, anything but…, nothing short of…, not remotely…, by no stretch of the imagination, not least because… Regula →Правило →

22 new words: public ridicule, meme cycle, parody versions, brand mockery, rebrand controversy, design defended…

public ridiculememe cycleparody versionsbrand mockeryrebrand controversydesign defendedpublic opinion swingto weather mockerybrand resilienceto defend the logoto backtrackinitial hostilitygrudging acceptanceyears latervindicated designbrand longevitycultural memorylogo unveilingpublic consultation on logodesign jury of the publicbrand heritagepublic art debate

Lesson27

It wasn't until the launch that…

New grammarAdvanced cleft sentences: It wasn't until… that…, All we did was…, The last thing we need is…, What happened was…, It's not that…, it's that… Regula →Правило →

22 new words: retrospective insight, delayed realization, blind spot of a team, hindsight bias, narrative reconstruction, post-launch discovery…

retrospective insightdelayed realizationblind spot of a teamhindsight biasnarrative reconstructionpost-launch discoverysilent failurelatent problemsurfacing lateuser workaroundshadow processto unearthforensic retrospectiveteam memorycollective learninghonest retrospectiveroot of the failuremissed signalsupport ticketsfield observationuser diaryretrospective timeline

Lesson28

That'll be the new intern

New grammarWill and would for assumption, characteristic behaviour and refusal (That'll be the cache. It will keep doing that. The model wouldn't answer.) Regula →Правило →

22 new words: studio life, studio rituals, characteristic behaviour, creature of habit, quirk, studio dog…

studio lifestudio ritualscharacteristic behaviourcreature of habitquirkstudio dogplaylist warskitchen etiquettestubborn streakstudio folklorerunning jokeendearingexasperatingoffice mythologyworkplace characterteam chemistrystudio anniversarylong-serving colleaguestudio kitchenprinter jammusic rotaFriday lunch

Lesson29

The jury is still out: AI and creativity

SkillsUseful phrases for speculating and debating the future (I wouldn't rule out…, The jury is still out on…, It remains to be seen whether…, I'd go so far as to say…)

22 new words: creative AI debate, authorship question, originality debate, I wouldn't rule out, the jury is still out, it remains to be seen…

creative AI debateauthorship questionoriginality debateI wouldn't rule outthe jury is still outit remains to be seenI'd go so far as to sayit's anyone's guessmark my wordslong-term implicationsspeculative claimsevidence so farcreative economyvalue of crafttaste and judgment debatehuman signaturehybrid creativitycultural homogenizationfuture of authorshipcreative identityto hedge your betsbold prediction

Lesson30

Revise and check: the critics' panel

Grammar reviewReview: collocations of degree, advanced negation, cleft sentences, will and would for assumption and refusal, speculating phrases

22 new words: critics' panel, panel chemistry, moderator's question, on-stage disagreement, audience vote, panel highlights…

critics' panelpanel chemistrymoderator's questionon-stage disagreementaudience votepanel highlightsto hold an audienceto be quotablesoundbiteconsidered pauseto concede gracefullyto disagree elegantlypanel formatlightning roundclosing remarkspanel recordingpress coverage of panelpublic intellectualcritical culturedesign discourseto raise the levelmemorable exchange

Unit 6

Reputation and the public

Lesson31

So I'm presenting to the board and…

New grammarThe narrative present and headline grammar (So I'm sitting there and my phone goes off…; Bank Hit By Outage; CEO To Step Down) Regula →Правило →

22 new words: war story, tall tale, projector dies, laptop crashes, headline style, comic timing…

war storytall taleprojector dieslaptop crashesheadline stylecomic timingpunchlineself-deprecationcareer anecdoteafter-dinner speechto tell it wellembellishmentkernel of truthaudience laughterstory bankto retellawards nightindustry legendcareer highlightembarrassing momentstage frightdinner speech

Lesson32

Mistakes were made: the corporate apology

New grammarImpersonal and passive structures for responsibility: mistakes were made, it has come to our attention, it is regrettable that, we take full responsibility for Regula →Правило →

22 new words: corporate apology, non-apology, responsibility statement, data exposure, design flaw, privacy setting failure…

corporate apologynon-apologyresponsibility statementdata exposuredesign flawprivacy setting failureto own the failurenamed accountabilityapology in writingpublic trustcustomer notificationremedial stepsindependent investigationsincere apologydeflectionto take responsibility personallyreputation repairapology toneapology letterpublic trust deficitevasive wordingplain apology

Lesson33

Facing the press

SkillsUseful phrases for media interviews: bridging, blocking and flagging (What's really important here is…, I can't speculate on…, The key point is…)

22 new words: media interview, journalist's angle, bridging, blocking, flagging, what's really important here is…

media interviewjournalist's anglebridgingblockingflaggingwhat's really important here isI can't comment onthe key point islet me put that in contexton the recordoff the recordsoundbite disciplinemedia traininghostile questiontabloid framingbroadcast interviewlive radiomessage housespokesperson roleto stay on messagepress officeinterview debrief

Lesson34

Shall and shall not: the master contract

New grammarModal verbs in formal documents: shall, shall not, may not, is to, must not, shall be liable, may at its discretion Regula →Правило →

22 new words: master agreement, legal drafting, obligations clause, deliverables schedule, acceptance criteria, intellectual property assignment…

master agreementlegal draftingobligations clausedeliverables scheduleacceptance criteriaintellectual property assignmentmoral rights waiverliability capindemnificationtermination for conveniencetermination for causesurvival clauseentire agreement clauseredliningcounsel reviewboilerplate clauseschedule of feeschange controlapproval processnotice clauseassignment clauselegal counsel

Lesson35

Sort of, kind of: the design podcast

New grammarVague language and approximation in speech: sort of, kind of, -ish, and so on, or something along those lines, give or take, stuff like that Regula →Правило →

22 new words: podcast conversation, casual register, thinking aloud, filler words, natural speech, listener rapport…

podcast conversationcasual registerthinking aloudfiller wordsnatural speechlistener rapporttangentto riff onguest chemistryepisode arcshow noteslistener questionsto sound unscriptedauthenticityconversational easepodcast hostepisode guestrecording boothaudio editinglistener communitypodcast audienceepisode topic

Lesson36

Revise and check: the reputation crisis

Grammar reviewReview: the narrative present and headlines, impersonal structures, media phrases, modals in formal documents, vague language

22 new words: reputation crisis, crisis timeline, holding line, first statement, second statement, media monitoring…

reputation crisiscrisis timelineholding linefirst statementsecond statementmedia monitoringsocial sentimentstakeholder briefingsemployee communicationleaked memowhistleblowerindependent inquiryleadership visibilitycustomer town hallsrecovery metricstrust rebuildlessons logcrisis retrospectiveboard oversight of crisislong tail of a crisissearch resultsto move on credibly

Unit 7

Culture and conversation

Lesson37

Mind you, as it happens: the design dinner

New grammarSpoken discourse markers: mind you, as it happens, I mean, still, then again, come to think of it, if you ask me Regula →Правило →

22 new words: industry dinner, small talk at C2, old acquaintance, career catch-up, gossip about moves, who's hiring…

industry dinnersmall talk at C2old acquaintancecareer catch-upgossip about moveswho's hiringbackchannelnetworking with graceconversational turnto steer away fromtactful exitevening's endto stay in touch genuinelysocial fluencydinner table talkindustry rumorcareer movejob hoppinghead-hunternetworking dinnerindustry veteranold colleague

Lesson38

As did the competitors: award season

New grammarInversion after as and than; so / nor + auxiliary (…, as did the CFO; more than did any rival; nor did the auditors) Regula →Правило →

22 new words: award season, category winner, grand prix, jury chair, shortlisted entries, entry fee debate…

award seasoncategory winnergrand prixjury chairshortlisted entriesentry fee debateaward inflationto sweep the awardsindustry recognition debateaward-chasingwork for awardsscam adscredibility of awardscraft categorieseffectiveness awardsaward hangovertrophy cabinetpeer respectawards juryentry deadlineshortlist announcementwinners list

Lesson39

Revise and check: the investor pitch

Grammar reviewReview: the formal future, formal conditionals, noun clauses

22 new words: design-tool startup, seed round, series A, investor deck, market sizing, total addressable market…

design-tool startupseed roundseries Ainvestor deckmarket sizingtotal addressable markettraction slidedefensibilityproduct-led growthdesign communityfounder-market fitgo-to-market motioncompetitive landscape slidelead investordue diligence questionsvaluation discussionuse of fundsdilutionboard seat for investorpitch rehearsalinvestor feedbackclosing the round

Lesson40

Bikeshedding and pixel-pushing: idioms of the trade

New grammarIdioms and fixed expressions: how much they can change (bite the bullet, have a lot riding on, it's not rocket science, call the shots → who calls the shots?) Regula →Правило →

22 new words: idiom, bikeshedding, pixel-pushing, design by committee, lipstick on a pig, eat your own dog food…

idiombikesheddingpixel-pushingdesign by committeelipstick on a pigeat your own dog foodmove the needleboil the oceanreinvent the wheelbite the bullethave a lot riding onit's not rocket scienceback to the drawing boardthe devil is in the detailsa moving goalpostto rubber-stampto go down a rabbit holeblue-sky thinkinglow-hangingto read between the linesidiomatic flexibilityliteral meaning

Lesson41

The aforementioned parties: the acquisition paperwork

New grammarFormal reference words: that of, those of, the said…, the same, thereof, therein, the aforementioned Regula →Правило →

22 new words: share purchase agreement, disclosure letter, warranties and representations, completion date, schedule of assets, IP schedule…

share purchase agreementdisclosure letterwarranties and representationscompletion dateschedule of assetsIP scheduleemployee transferdata roomlegal formalityto execute documentscounterpart signaturesconditions precedentlong-stop dateclosing memolegal registerlegal paperworksigning ceremonytransactionescrowpurchase pricelegal feesdue diligence report

Lesson42

Revise and check: after the acquisition

Grammar reviewReview: discourse markers, inversion after as and than, idioms, formal reference words

22 new words: post-acquisition life, integration year, founder's role after, cultural drift, corporate rhythm, loss of autonomy…

post-acquisition lifeintegration yearfounder's role aftercultural driftcorporate rhythmloss of autonomyretention cliffearn-out targetsparent company politicsbrand survivalteam departuresto stay or leavefounder's regretfounder's reliefnew chapter for the studiointegration successintegration failurealumni networkindependent againbuy-backlessons for founderssecond act

Unit 8

Speaking with impact

Lesson43

The keynote: rhetoric for designers

SkillsUseful phrases and devices for keynote rhetoric: the rule of three, contrast, rhetorical questions, callbacks, the pause (Imagine a world where…, Not X, but Y…)

22 new words: keynote rhetoric, rule of three, contrast device, rhetorical question, callback, tricolon…

keynote rhetoricrule of threecontrast devicerhetorical questioncallbacktricolonanaphoraopening lineclosing lineaudience journeyemotional peaksilence as a toolstage blockingvocal varietyslide minimalismstory spinesignature phrasefinal flourishrehearsal ritualspeaker coachapplause lineto move an audience

Lesson44

Gone are the days: a design manifesto

New grammarFronting for style and focus: Gone are the days when…, Central to this is…, Driving the change is…, participle openers Regula →Правило →

22 new words: manifesto, declaration, call to arms, tenets of practice, movement, signatories…

manifestodeclarationcall to armstenets of practicemovementsignatoriesto galvanizeto provoke debateaspirational languagebold declarationcounter-manifestopublic pledgepractice versus rhetoriccollective voiceto put your name tomanifesto fatigueenduring principledesign movement leadersopen letterpetition of designersprofessional pledgedesign activism

Lesson45

If anything: nuance in critique

New grammar"If" phrases for nuance: if anything, if not, if only to, if at all, if so, if ever, if in doubt Regula →Правило →

22 new words: nuance, calibrated feedback, understated praise, precise criticism, fine distinction, shades of meaning…

nuancecalibrated feedbackunderstated praiseprecise criticismfine distinctionshades of meaningqualified approvalto temper a verdictmeasured responsesubtle shiftto split hairsprecision of languageeditorial judgementtone calibrationnuanced readingportfolio critiquecritical precisionverdictfaint praiseconstructive edgereviewer toneeditorial standard

Lesson46

Writing for the design journal

Grammar reviewReview: cohesion, nominal style, cleft sentences for focus

22 new words: long-form essay, design journal, editor's brief, thesis statement, argument structure, cohesive devices…

long-form essaydesign journaleditor's briefthesis statementargument structurecohesive devicesnominal stylesignposting in proseparagraph architectureevidence and examplecounterargument paragraphconcession and rebuttalendnoteseditorial processstructural editline editword count disciplinereadability for expertsintellectual honestypublicationto submit for peer reviewbyline

Lesson47

I was hoping we might: courting a dream client

New grammarPoliteness with continuous forms: I was hoping…, I've been wondering…, Will you be needing…?, We were thinking of… Regula →Правило →

22 new words: target client, courtship, first approach, warm introduction, soft pitch, relationship-first…

target clientcourtshipfirst approachwarm introductionsoft pitchrelationship-firstpatience in saleslong gamecredentials meetingchemistry meetingto stay top of mindfollow-up cadencegraceful persistencetiming is everythingto earn the briefcourtesy callto win the accountlong courtshipmuseum directorcultural clientdigital guidegallery website

Lesson48

Revise and check: the conference keynote

Grammar reviewReview: keynote devices, fronting for style, "if" phrases, continuous forms for politeness

22 new words: closing keynote, headline speaker, green room, tech check, clicker, confidence monitor…

closing keynoteheadline speakergreen roomtech checkclickerconfidence monitorwalk-onfirst thirty secondsthe room's energyaudience laughter earlystory beatemotional closestanding applauseQ and A moderationpost-talk queuespeaker dinnertalk recordingclips on socialtalk afterlifeinvitation floodspeaker burnoutto say yes selectively

Unit 9

Subtlety

Lesson49

Somewhat concerning: understatement in hard times

New grammarUnderstatement and euphemism: not entirely convinced, a bit of a challenge, somewhat concerning, let go, rightsizing, to pass away Regula →Правило →

22 new words: understatement, euphemism, job cuts, rightsizing, restructuring exercise, difficult period…

understatementeuphemismjob cutsrightsizingrestructuring exercisedifficult periodheadwindsto soften bad newseuphemism detectionto read between linescorporate softeninghonest translationplain truthtonal mismatchemployee trustto say it straighthuman language at worklayoffs announcementsurvivor guiltredundancyseveranceoutplacement support

Lesson50

Said no designer ever: irony and banter

SkillsUseful phrases for irony, banter and knowing when not to joke (Well, that went well., Said no one ever., I'm only half joking.)

22 new words: irony, banter, deadpan, well, that went well, said no one ever, I'm only half joking…

ironybanterdeadpanwell, that went wellsaid no one everI'm only half jokingsarcasm riskin-jokestudio humorwhen not to joketone deafnesscross-cultural humorhumor in critiqueto defuse tensiongallows humorself-ironyto land a jokejoke that falls flatreading the room for humorpsychological safety and humorteasing cultureto laugh with not at

Lesson51

Adhere to, defer to: brand stewardship

New grammarPrepositional verbs at C2: account for, attest to, adhere to, defer to, refrain from, abstain from, allude to, verge on Regula →Правило →

22 new words: brand steward, brand council, guardianship, to adhere to, to defer to, to refrain from…

brand stewardbrand councilguardianshipto adhere toto defer toto refrain fromto abstain fromto allude toto account forto attest toto conform tobrand dilutionsub-brand proliferationexceptions processbrand policeenabling brandbrand latitudeheritage brandcustodianshipto evolve a brandbrand equitystewardship ethos

Lesson52

The system's owner or the owner of the system: naming things

New grammarNoun + noun, 's or of: the system owner, the system's owner, the owner of the system — when to use which Regula →Правило →

22 new words: name choice, information architecture, taxonomy, nomenclature, labeling system, navigation labels…

name choiceinformation architecturetaxonomynomenclaturelabeling systemnavigation labelscontent modelentity namingnaming convention debatenoun stackingpossessive formof-phraseclarity of labelsuser vocabularyinternal vocabularycard sortingtree testinglabel testingcontrolled vocabularysynonym ringfindabilitynaming committee

Lesson53

For the uninitiated: teaching design

New grammarArticles and determiners at C2: generic the / a / zero article, the + adjective (the uninitiated), such a / what a, any vs some for nuance Regula →Правило →

22 new words: design education, curriculum design, studio pedagogy, crit culture in schools, assessment rubric, learning outcome…

design educationcurriculum designstudio pedagogycrit culture in schoolsassessment rubriclearning outcomeportfolio-based assessmentindustry partnershipguest criticvisiting professorlecture versus studioto scaffold learningreflective journalgraduate employabilitylifelong learning in designteaching philosophyto mentor a cohortart collegefirst-year studentsstudio critgraduate showcourse leader

Lesson54

Revise and check: the design residency

Grammar reviewReview: understatement, humor phrases, prepositional verbs, noun + noun / 's / of, articles at C2

22 new words: design residency, resident designer, host institution, residency brief, open studio, public program…

design residencyresident designerhost institutionresidency briefopen studiopublic programexhibition outcomeresidency outcomesartist talkresidency reportfunding bodycultural institutioncommunity engagementparticipatory projectdocumentation of processlegacy of residencyto apply for residencyselection panelstipendresidency diarycreative freedom with constraintsto give a public talk

Unit 10

Legacy

Lesson55

The exhibition on design history

Grammar reviewReview: formal register — the formal future, formal conditionals, complex prepositions, modals in formal documents

22 new words: retrospective exhibition, curatorial concept, exhibition catalogue, object labels, wall text, loan agreement…

retrospective exhibitioncuratorial conceptexhibition catalogueobject labelswall textloan agreementarchive materialhistorical contextdesign canonto canonizecuratorial voiceexhibition designvisitor journeyinterpretation paneldidactic textpublic program eventsexhibition openingcritical receptiontouring exhibitionpermanent collectionto acquire for the collectionhistorical significance

Lesson56

Scenario planning for the studio's future

Grammar reviewReview: conditionals of every kind, including inverted, mixed and formal (in the event that, given that)

22 new words: scenario planning, driving forces, critical uncertainties, scenario matrix, plausible futures, wild card…

scenario planningdriving forcescritical uncertaintiesscenario matrixplausible futureswild cardearly warning indicatorsstrategic options per scenariono-regret movesrobust strategycontingency triggersfutures workshopbackcastinghorizon scanningsignal versus noise in futuresscenario narrativesstress-testing strategyadaptive planningoptionalitypreparednessstrategic foresightfutures literacy

Lesson57

Mentoring the next head of design

Grammar reviewReview: modal verbs and their nuances — will / would for assumption, modal perfects for criticism, tentative suggestions

22 new words: succession planning, successor, designated successor, mentoring arc, leadership transition, to pass the baton…

succession planningsuccessordesignated successormentoring arcleadership transitionto pass the batoninstitutional knowledge transfershadowingstepping back gracefullyletting the successor leadunsolicited adviceto bite your tonguefounder syndrometransition timelineleadership identityconfidence of the successorteam loyalty shiftfarewell responsibilitiesadvisory roleemeritusclean breakto trust the next generation

Lesson58

The story of the interface

Grammar reviewReview: narrative forms — the narrative present, the future in the past, inversion and fronting for effect

22 new words: history of computing, graphical user interface, command line, desktop metaphor, windows and icons, mouse pointer…

history of computinggraphical user interfacecommand linedesktop metaphorwindows and iconsmouse pointertouchscreen revolutionmobile eraskeuomorphismflat designmaterial metaphordesign movementpioneersresearch labparadigm shiftera-defininghistorical narrativeretrospective viewturning points in historyto trace the lineagedesign genealogyunsung contributors

Lesson59

The next fifty years of design

Grammar reviewReview: speculation and stance — formal future, hedging, stance adverbials, if-phrases

22 new words: long-term foresight, fifty-year view, civilizational challenges, climate adaptation design, ageing societies, post-screen world…

long-term foresightfifty-year viewcivilizational challengesclimate adaptation designageing societiespost-screen worldintelligent environmentsdesign for planetary healthintergenerational designstewardship of the futurespeculative futuresdesign responsibilitygrand challengessystems designregenerative designfuture generationslegacy thinkingdesign for longevitylong now thinkingfuture citizensplanetary boundariescentury-scale

Lesson60

Revise and check: the founder's farewell

Grammar reviewReview: all the course grammar

22 new words: farewell speech, founder's farewell, career reflection, gratitude, legacy of a studio, handing over…

farewell speechfounder's farewellcareer reflectiongratitudelegacy of a studiohanding overthe team you builtregrets and pridefinal lessonwords for the futurevaledictorytoastfinal applausetears and laughterto bow outfarewell partyalumni gatheringstudio archivetime capsulelast dayto close a chapterwhat remains

Despre cursul English for Designers, nivelul Advanced

Dacă ești un designer senior sau conduci echipe de design și cauți cursuri de engleză în Moldova care să depășească nivelul conversațional obișnuit, acest program este pentru tine. Cursul „Engleză pentru designeri” se adresează exclusiv celor care se află la nivelul Advanced (CEFR C1 → C2) și care au nevoie de o exprimare precisă în negocieri, strategii de brand și interacțiuni cu directorii executivi. Este soluția ideală pentru profesioniștii care caută lecții de engleză online adaptate exact provocărilor din industria lor.

Cele 60 de lecții sunt împărțite în 10 unități tematice esențiale pentru leadershipul în design: Design at the top, Strategy and positioning, The language of the design business, Law, ethics and governance, Judgement and critique, Reputation and the public, Culture and conversation, Speaking with impact, Subtlety și Legacy. Vei discuta subiecte concrete precum The annual design report, Leading the strategic offsite, We owe it to users: an ethics charter, Running the executive workshop, Open-sourcing the design system, Facing the press sau The aforementioned parties: the acquisition paperwork.

Gramatica este abordată la un nivel extrem de fin, integrată în contextul profesional. Vei învăța structuri complexe precum Noun clauses as subjects and objects (What worries me is whether…), The formal future (be to, be slated to, be poised to), Stance and viewpoint adverbials (frankly, ironically, technically speaking), Advanced comparison, Complex prepositions, Preparatory "it" as object, Absolute constructions, Inversion after time expressions, Formal conditionals, Formulaic subjunctive și Fronting for style and focus. De asemenea, vei stăpâni nuanțele subtile ale limbajului vag, ironiei, subestimării (understatement) și ale politețea avansate prin verbe la continuu.

În ceea ce privește vocabularul, fiecare lecție îți pune la dispoziție între 20 și 30 de cuvinte noi, totalizând 1320 de termeni specializați, sistemul având grijă ca termenii anteriori să revină periodic în exerciții. Vei învârti cu ușurință termeni legați de formarea cuvintelor, conversie și argou corporatist, colocații de grad, verbe prepoziționale la C2 și diferențele subtile dintre determinanți și articole.

Platforma englishschool.pro îți oferă o experiență de învățare interactivă direct pe telefon sau calculator. Fiecare lecție include exerciții interactive, înregistrări audio pentru ascultare, texte de citit, un dicționar încorporat cu traduceri în română și rusă, precum și o listă personală de cuvinte. Totul este conceput pentru a face studiul eficient și accesibil oricând.

După finalizarea acestui nivel C1–C2, vei putea susține prezentări de impact în fața conducerii, vei modera workshop-uri executive, vei redacta documente legale și etice cu precizie și vei purta discuții strategice complexe fără nicio barieră lingvistică. Vei trece de la o simplă comunicare corectă la un discurs nuanțat, persuasiv și autoritar.

Poți începe imediat și complet gratuit: primele 10 lecții sunt deschise oricui, fără a fi nevoie de un cont. Următoarele 10 lecții (lecțiile 11–20) sunt de asemenea gratuite, fiind necesară doar înregistrarea cu nume și e-mail. Pentru accesul complet la toate cele 60 de lecții, destinat studiului individual fără profesor, prețul este de 210 lei, plătiți o singură dată pentru acces pe viață, beneficiind și de rambursare integrală în 14 zile.

Dacă preferi îndrumarea unui profesor, poți alege lecțiile individuale online: o sesiune unu-la-unu de 50 de minute costă 250 de lei, iar prima lecție de probă este complet gratuită. Începe-ți parcursul pe englishschool.pro și du-ți engleza de design la cel mai înalt nivel.

Întrebări și răspunsuri

Cui i se adresează acest curs de engleză online?

Cursul este destinat exclusiv designerilor seniori și liderilor de design care au deja un nivel Advanced (C1) și doresc să ajungă la C2, stăpânind limbajul de afaceri, negocierile strategice și terminologia specifică industriei.

Cum funcționează accesul gratuit și cel plătit la platformă?

Primele 10 lecții sunt accesibile gratuit fără cont. Lecțiile 11-20 sunt gratuite pe bază de cont (nume și e-mail). Accesul pe viață la toate cele 60 de lecții costă 210 lei, iar lecțiile individuale cu profesorul costă 250 lei pe ședință, prima fiind gratuită.

Ce includ materialele didactice din fiecare lecție?

Fiecare lecție conține exerciții interactive, înregistrări audio, texte de citit, un dicționar integrat cu traduceri în română și rusă, și o listă personală de cuvinte, totul optimizat pentru a fi utilizat ușor de pe telefon.

О курсе English for Designers, уровень Advanced

Если вы являетесь senior-дизайнером или руководите дизайн-отделом и ищете эффективные курсы английского языка в Молдове, способные поднять ваш профессиональный уровень выше стандартного разговорного, этот курс создан для вас. Программа «Английский для дизайнеров» ориентирована на уровень Advanced (CEFR C1 → C2) и помогает уверенно вести стратегические переговоры, выступать перед советом директоров и управлять сложными проектами. Это хороший выбор для тех, кто ищет качественные уроки английского онлайн, заточенные под реальные задачи индустрии.

Курс состоит из 60 уроков, объединенных в 10 тематических модулей: 1. Design at the top; 2. Strategy and positioning; 3. The language of the design business; 4. Law, ethics and governance; 5. Judgement and critique; 6. Reputation and the public; 7. Culture and conversation; 8. Speaking with impact; 9. Subtlety; 10. Legacy. Вы детально разберете такие темы, как The annual design report, Leading the strategic offsite, We owe it to users: an ethics charter, Running the executive workshop, Open-sourcing the design system, Facing the press и The aforementioned parties: the acquisition paperwork.

Грамматический блок охватывает сложные конструкции уровня C2: Noun clauses as subjects and objects (What worries me is whether…), The formal future (be to, be slated to, be poised to), Stance and viewpoint adverbials (frankly, ironically, technically speaking), Advanced comparison, Complex prepositions, Preparatory "it" as object, Absolute constructions, Inversion after time expressions, Formal conditionals, Formulaic subjunctive и Fronting for style and focus. Особое внимание уделяется нюансам вежливости, средствам смягчения (understatement), разговорным маркерам и модальным глаголам в официальных документах.

Словарный запас пополняется на 20–30 новых слов в каждом уроке (всего 1320 терминов), причем изученная лексика регулярно возвращается в упражнениях для надежного закрепления. Вы освоите словообразование (префиксы и суффиксы), конверсию и корпоративный сленг, степени интенсивности, предложные глаголы уровня C2 и тонкости использования артиклей.

Платформа englishschool.pro предлагает интерактивное обучение, которое отлично работает на телефоне. Каждый урок включает интерактивные упражнения, аудиозаписи, тексты для чтения, встроенный словарь с переводами на русский и румынский языки, а также ваш личный список слов для повторения. Вы можете учиться в любом удобном месте и в своем темпе.

После прохождения курса вы сможете свободно проводить стратегические сессии, уверенно защищать концепции перед инвесторами, составлять официальные документы и дискутировать на любые профессиональные темы без языкового барьера. Ваш английский станет инструментом истинного лидерства.

Вы можете начать обучение прямо сейчас совершенно бесплатно: первые 10 уроков доступны каждому без регистрации. Уроки с 11 по 20 открываются бесплатно после создания аккаунта (укажите имя и email). Полный доступ ко всем 60 урокам для самостоятельного изучения стоит всего 210 леев (единоразовый платеж навсегда, с гарантией возврата средств в течение 14 дней). Если вы хотите заниматься с преподавателем, вы можете выбрать индивидуальные онлайн-уроки: 50-минутное занятие стоит 250 леев, а первый пробный урок предоставляется бесплатно.

Вопросы и ответы

Для какого уровня и кого предназначен этот курс английского?

Курс разработан специально для senior-дизайнеров и дизайн-лидеров с уровнем Advanced (C1), которые стремятся достичь уровня C2 и свободно оперировать сложной бизнес-лексикой.

Как устроена оплата и бесплатный доступ к урокам?

Первые 10 уроков доступны полностью бесплатно без аккаунта. Уроки 11–20 открываются бесплатно после регистрации. Полный доступ ко всем 60 урокам стоит 210 леев навсегда, а индивидуальный урок с преподавателем — 250 леев (первый урок бесплатно).

Что входит в каждый урок на платформе englishschool.pro?

Каждый урок содержит интерактивные упражнения, аудиоматериалы для прослушивания, экспертные тексты, встроенный словарь с русским и румынским переводом, персональный список слов и адаптирован для удобного прохождения с телефона.

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