The New Map of Global Trade
Grammar: Discourse markers and connectors in analytical writing
A Business English English lesson exploring business.
What's in this lesson
A Business English ESL lesson on business, practising discourse markers and connectors in analytical writing. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary and discussion questions.
From the reading: The New Map of Global Trade
In 2023, global merchandise trade fell by roughly 5% in dollar terms — the steepest single-year decline since the 2008 financial crisis. Yet the number of containers crossing the world's oceans barely changed. The paradox is simple: trade volumes held up, but falling commodity prices — particularly for energy — compressed the headline figure. For anyone working in import-export, this gap between value and volume is the first thing to understand about how the industry actually works.
Vocabulary
- as a result
- for instance
- in dollar terms
- nevertheless
- at arm's length
- first thing to understand
- nearshoring
- pass the buck
- reroute
Discussion questions
- What product do you use every day that was almost certainly made in another country?
- Should governments protect their own industries from cheaper foreign competition?
- How has online shopping changed the way you buy things from abroad?
The New Map of Global Trade
Grammar: Discourse markers and connectors in analytical writing
What's in this lesson:
Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.
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