Undergraduate Course: English for International Business Communication (LLLG07137)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Part-year visiting students only |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course focuses on activating and developing language skills through cooperative task-based work. Course participants read or listen to business texts in order to exchange information and compare their own knowledge and experience of the business world. Other language practice activities include a variety of presenting formats; meeting roleplays; problem solving discussions; listening to talks; formal letter and email writing practice. There are opportunities for more individual work, for example researching and giving a presentation on a business topic of their choice. |
| Course description |
Academic Description
The course aims to improve oral fluency and confidence in speaking English through a variety of activities including participating in meeting roleplays; preparing and giving short talks; exchanging information about business situations; negotiating and participating in a simulated job interview. Writing activities focus on business correspondence (both letter and email) and writing reports. There is a general emphasis on the development of written and spoken communication skills. A range of materials from business and business media sources will be used to present and discuss aspects of business in both the UK and internationally. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to talk about their own knowledge and experience.
Outline Content
The tasks are predominantly based on authentic business texts. Most tasks involve an integration of two or more language skills and are presented within a business topic-based syllabus framework that includes business numeracy, types of business organisation, marketing and finance in order to introduce vocabulary and conceptual knowledge so that students can talk meaningfully in English about aspects of business. Students will research a business-related topic with the aim of giving a presentation of that topic to their colleagues at a simulated business conference at the end of the course.
Student Learning Experience
The course is classroom-based with intensive small group and whole class discussion of topics. The aim is to provide a safe environment for L2 speakers to actively participate in such discussions. Students will be expected to prepare for class in advance (via access to online resources of reading for example) to maximise time spent on interactive activities in class. Students will also be expected to produce work in the form of written correspondence and reports, and to produce presentations, both live and recorded. Assessments are based on written report and a live research-based presentation.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | L2 English speakers - CEFR Level B2 /IELTS 6.5 minimum who need to improve their language skills.
It is an advantage for students to have a basic understanding/knowledge of and/or interest working in business or similar professional contexts. Having taken a first year business or business-related course or equivalent at their home universities would be useful but it is not essential.
The course will be open to students in any College interested in a business-oriented career or to those wishing to improve their language communication skills for the professional work-place. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2021/22, Part-year visiting students only (VV1)
|
Quota: 14 |
| Course Start |
Lifelong Learning - Session 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 60,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
136 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
1. 1,000 word written report of a given business situation. (60%)
2. 15-minute individual oral presentation on a business-related topic in the final course conference. (40%)
|
| Feedback |
Both formative and summative feedback will be provided. Formative throughout the course on activities and written work produced. Summative on their assessed work. |
| No Exam Information |
|
| Academic year 2021/22, Part-year visiting students only (VV1)
|
Quota: 14 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
1. 1,000 word written report of a given business situation. (60%)
2. 15-minute individual oral presentation on a business-related topic in the final course conference. (40%)
|
| Feedback |
Both formative and summative feedback will be provided. Formative throughout the course on activities and written work produced. Summative on their assessed work. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- speak confidently in English in a variety of professional work-related contexts.
- use appropriate business English vocabulary actively in the topic areas covered in the course.
- research and give a presentation on a business- or professional work-related topic in English.
- engage critically through reading, writing and discussion with some frequently occurring business genres such as business documentation, reports, and business correspondence.
- work with others in different roles in a variety of simulated professional contexts including preparing for and participating in meetings, negotiations and job interviews.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
1. An understanding of the difference between explanations based on evidence and/or research and other sources, and of the importance of this difference.
2. Apply knowledge, skills and understanding:
- In practical contexts.
- In using some of the basic and routine professional skills, techniques, practices and/or materials associated with the subject/discipline/sector.
- To practise these in both routine and non-routine contexts.
3. Present and evaluate arguments, information and ideas that are routine to a subject/discipline/sector.
4. Use a range of approaches to address defined and/or routine problems and issues within familiar contexts.
5. Convey complex ideas in well-structured and coherent form.
6. Use a range of forms of communication effectively in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
Source is SCQF level descriptors: https://scqf.org.uk/media/1123/scqf-level-descriptors-web-aug-2015.pdf
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| Keywords | English,business,professional communication,professional skills,speaking skills,vocabulary |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Richard Bryan
Tel:
Email: rbryan@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk |
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