English for International Business (5cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The student knows the international trade vocabulary and can act in international trade assignments in English.

Content (course unit)

Phases of international trade in English
Vocabulary in the documents of international trade
Acting as a specialist in an intercultural working environment

Prerequisites (course unit)

2. year studies or similar skills and knowledge.

Location and time

The course is run from January to May. All contact sessions will take place in B5-31.

Exam schedules

There are portfolio-type of assignments with teacher and peer feedback and assessment. No traditional exams.

Assessment methods and criteria

ASSESSMENT:
1. Presentation of an import/export company (2cu): TAMK grades 0-5
2. Vocabulary study of documents in International Trade (1cu): TAMK grades 0-5 (vocabulary test on computers)
3. Interview of an expert in International Trade (Report-writing project, 2cu): TAMK grades 0-5

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

This is a blended learning course with contact sessions in class, AC sessions, supervised project studies, studies taking place on TAMK tabula learning platform.

Learning materials

No textbook is used but professional and authentic material from the Net and other media.

Student workload

The course provides 5cu which corresponds to 90 hours of work spread over Jan-May period.

Content scheduling

We have lectures, AC sessions and email consultation from January to May in every two weeks except for April which is email consultation in project studies whenever needed. All the lectures are day-time studies but AC-sessions are late afternoon/evening studies.
COURSE CONTENTS:
1. Presentation of an import/export company (speaking skills) in mid-February 2019
2. Vocabulary study of documents in International Trade in March 2019
3. Interview of an expert in International Trade (Report-writing project) in April - early May 2019

Practical training and working life cooperation

Our studies include the study of working life and companies e.g. there is one assignment where students interview an expert in import/export trade and share this knowledge with other members on the course.

International connections

The course is about communication in International Business and English is our working language since some of the students are not Finnish-speaking.

Further information

Riitta Raimovaara is available for appointments in room B5-21 and otherwise best reached by email.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

All course assignments must be submitted and passed (minimum grade 1).

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

* pronunciation is not always correct but acceptable for communication
* comprehension of key points of limited professional material is fairly good and with tools for studies basic knowledge is acquired and shared
* basic and unclear expressions are used in communication but main message is shared and transmitted with some professional touch
* communication seems clumsy and limited but some attention is paid to interaction
* all separately defined course requirements contributing to the final grade are met

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

* pronunciation sounds clear and quite natural
* comprehension of key points as well as details of professional material is good and acquired knowledge can be implemented
* clear professional expressions are used and the number of mistakes is limited
* communication seems professional and interpersonal skills are quite good
* all separately defined course requirements contributing to the final grade are met

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

* pronunciation sounds clear and natural with different nuances in tone
* comprehension of key points as well as details of demanding professional material is good and acquired knowledge can be implemented with ease
* fluent and proficient language is used with a good sense of style and register
* communication seems professional, interactive and efficient with very few mistakes made
* all separately defined course requirements contributing to the final grade are met