Business English Reading Lesson: Google LLC
Level: Pre-intermediate (A2–B1)
Skill Focus: Reading & Vocabulary
Theme: Companies
Duration: 30 minutes
1. Warm-up: What do you know about tech companies?
In pairs, brainstorm and write down 3 tech companies you know and what they do.
2. Reading: Google – A Global Technology Company
Google – A Global Technology Company
Google LLC is an American global technology company. It was officially founded in
1998 by two Stanford University graduate students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
Nasdaq+3Wikipedia+3Professional Leadership Institute+3 Its headquarters are in
Mountain View, California. Encyclopedia Britannica+1
At first, Google started with a search engine. But today it offers many different products
and services. Google is known for its search engine, but it also develops tools like Gmail
(an email service), Google Maps (navigation and mapping), Google Drive (cloud
storage), YouTube (video sharing), and the Android operating system for smartphones.
Wikipedia+1 In 2015 the company reorganised under a new parent company, Alphabet
Inc., and Google became a subsidiary of Alphabet. Encyclopedia Britannica+1
Google’s mission is: “to organise the world’s information and make it universally
accessible and useful.” Encyclopedia Britannica+1 This mission guides all of Google’s
work. Whether someone searches for information, uses an app, or watches a video,
Google aims to help.
Since its founding, Google has grown very fast. It began in a garage in Menlo Park with a
small team and an idea. Nasdaq+1 Over time, the company expanded globally and now
employs hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Encyclopedia Britannica+1
Google operates in many countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the
Middle East. GlobalData
The company is not only a product maker but also a service provider. A major part of
Google’s business comes from advertising: when people use the search engine or other
Google services, the company shows ads and earns revenue from those ads. Encyclopedia
Britannica+1 Google also makes hardware (such as smartphones) and develops cloud
services and artificial intelligence (AI). Wikipedia+1
Google’s culture and approach are also important. It invests in research and new
technologies, encourages innovation and creativity, and has a reputation for an open work
environment. When the company changed structure in 2015 to form Alphabet, it allowed
Google itself to focus more on its core services (search, ads, maps, apps) while other
parts of its business (like self-driving cars, smart home devices) operated independently.
Professional Leadership Institute+1
Of course, a company of Google’s size also faces challenges. It must handle large
amounts of data, maintain privacy and security, respond to competition, and adapt to
changing technology and laws. For example, Google’s services work worldwide, and that
means different countries, cultures, and legal systems must be considered. As the
company grows, it must be careful about responsibilities and ethical implications.
Despite all the challenges, Google remains one of the world’s most influential and largest
technology companies. Its wide range of products, global presence, and strong mission
make it a compelling model for how a company can grow from a small idea into a global
enterprise.
3. Main Idea
Choose the main idea of the text:
a) Google is a small startup company.
b) Google is a global technology company that provides many products and services.
c) Google only offers search engines for students.
4. Comprehension Questions
1. When was Google founded?
2. Who founded Google?
3. Where are the company’s headquarters?
4. Name at least two products Google develops.
5. What is Google’s mission?
6. How many employees does Google have approximately?
5. Vocabulary Quiz
Choose the correct meaning of the underlined words:
headquarters – ( ) a) main office b) branch office c) factory
subsidiary – ( ) a) a company controlled by another company b) a new product c) a
competitor
mission – ( ) a) a long-term plan or goal b) a document c) an advertisement
6. Writing Task: Create Your Company Profile
Choose a company you like or would like to work for and complete the profile:
- Company name:
- Country / Headquarters:
- Founded in:
- Products / Services:
- Customers:
- Mission / What makes it special:
- Why would you like to work for or support this company?
Write 120–150 words. Use vocabulary from the reading.
7. Peer Feedback
Exchange your profile with a partner. Give one positive comment and one question about
their company.
Answer Key
Main Idea: b
1. 1998
2. Sergey Brin and Larry Page
3. Mountain View, California
4. Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Android, Google Drive
5. To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful
6. Over 190,000
headquarters = a, subsidiary = a, mission = a