Business English (5cr)

Objectives (course unit)

This is 5 ECTS credits of Business English course for students as compulsory studies. The skills of a foreign language are based on a European reference framework, advanced course B1.

The course introduces students to business vocabulary and terminologies needed to communicate effectively as professional. The course includes understanding company types, business communication channels (Telephone, email, presentations, meeting and negotiation skills,) and intercultural communication competence. The course may include writing academic essays and reports.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After completing the students will able:
• to tell about his working environment and activities in his field.
• to know different company types.
• to communicate interactively in general oral language written situations of working life.
• to give convincing company presentation
• to run or participate in meetings and negotiations.
• to search and select information in the field of Business
• to demonstrate familiarity with the cultural environment of the target country and can take into account its specific characteristics and their impact on professional activity and interaction.
• to write academic essays and reports (depending on the course implementation)

Content (course unit)

1. Business vocabulary
a. Types of companies
b. Economic trend
c. Company presentations (1-5)
d. Incoterms

2. Writing Emails
a. Formal and informal styles
b. Email structure
c. Phrases
d. Examples of emails e.g. enquiry, complains, replying to a request

3. Telephoning skills
a. Taking notes
i. Alphabets/spelling
ii. Saying numbers,

4. Meetings and Negotiation skills
a. Meeting protocol, phrases and terminology
b. Simulation

5. Reporting/academic writing
a. Literature based
b. Research based report

6. Intercultural communication

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

The student knows the basic business terminologies, knows the difference between formal and informal communication, (email English, basic telephoning skills, meetings) and that the student can give basic Company presentation.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student knows basic business terminologies and can differentiate between formal and informal communication:
Emails and telephoning skills: The student can write business emails with no major mistakes, and is able to give convincing company presentations showing absolute control of the language, demonstrating extensive use of vocabulary.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student knows basic business terminologies and can differentiate between formal and informal communication:
Emails and telephoning skills: The student can write business emails without mistakes, and is able to give convincing company presentations showing absolute control of the language, demonstrating extensive use of vocabulary.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lectures, group assignments, presentations, mock-meetings and negotiations and self-study.

Learning materials

Course materials materials. Market Leader Intermediate or Market Leader Advanced.
Recommended reading to review writing in English:
-Writing for Success, Chapter 2, Chapter 3 and Chapter 5. (available online: http://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess /)
-The Bloomberg Job Skills Report (available online: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2016-job-skills-report /)
Additional materials will be provided.

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

The student has not attained 80% of attendance, has not participated in class activities and has not written self-reflection essay.

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

The student has completed 80% of attendance, knows the basic business terminologies, knows the difference between formal and informal communication, (email English, basic telephoning skills, meetings) and that the student can give basic Company presentation.

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

Grade 3-4
The student has completed 80% of attendance and has participated extensively in class activities, help his/mates. The student knows basic business terminologies and can differentiate between formal and informal communication:
Emails and telephoning skills: The student can write business emails with no major mistakes, and is able to give convincing company presentations showing absolute control of the language, demonstrating extensive use of vocabulary.

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

Grade 5
The student has completed 80% of attendance and has participated extensively in class activities, help his/mates. The student knows basic business terminologies and can differentiate between formal and informal communication:
Emails and telephoning skills: The student can write business emails without mistakes, and is able to give convincing company presentations showing absolute control of the language, demonstrating extensive use of vocabulary.