Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

On this course students will learn about the professional business communication in working life environment. European Framework of Reference for Languages B2 level.

After completing the course students will be able to
- tell about their personality, education, work experience, tasks and duties at work by using professional English
- meet customers’ needs when servicing the customer base and communicating with interest groups
- follow and participate in the development of their field by using different ways of communication.

Content (course unit)

What can the student communicate on his/her competence and working life environment in the target language?
What kind of qualifications does the student need to succeed in multicultural customer-based interaction in the target language?
How can the student develop his/her competence and acquire business-related information in the target language?

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

- 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) (course unit)

- 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) (course unit)

- 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.

Assessment criteria, pass/fail (course unit)

Approved:
All the separately defined course requirements contributing to the final grade must be fulfilled.

Location and time

On campus according to the timetable.

Exam schedules

See Methods and Grounds for Evaluation.

Assessment methods and criteria

The assessment is based on successful completion of the following tasks and activities:
• Job interview (group activity; individual grade: pass/fail)
• Company presentation at the trade fair (pair task; individual grade incl.self- and peer assessment: 0-5)
• Company meeting (group activity; individual grade: pass/fail)
• Written exam (individual task; individual grade: 0-5)
• Overall participation in the course such as attendance, engagement with the course material, participation in class activities and completion of home assignments is also taken into consideration when determining the final grade.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Contact teaching, presentations, discussions, pair and group work, individual tasks and independent study.

Learning materials

• Business Express, T. Niskanen, J. Vetter, R. Urbom, SanomaPro Oy. Note: Limited copies are available at TAMK library.
• Materials in Moodle

Student workload

Total course – 5 cr x 27 h = 135 h study hours incl.:
• contact lessons – 16 x 2 h = 32 h
• independent study – 103 h

Content scheduling

• Oral skills (presentations, meetings, negotiations, telephone communication, video conferencing, social interaction)
• Writing skills (CVs, emails, agenda, meeting minutes, business documents such as enquiries, proposals, quotations, complaints, etc.)
• Grammar as needed

Completion alternatives

If the student has completed corresponding studies at another university or university of applied sciences, the student may apply for credit transfer through Hyvähot system.

Students who have extensive international work experience may complete the course through demonstration of competencies.

Such cases have to be discussed with the course teacher at the beginning of the course, and the students may be required to complete additional assignments to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Further information

Mandatory attendance – 80%.
There is no hybrid option (some students on campus, some online).

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

The student failed to complete the required tasks and activities.

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 is 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 is 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