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 | Available to all students |
| 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.
It is essential that students who wish to enrol on this course contact the Visiting Student Office and enrol by 5pm on the Wednesday before the start of the course. Places fill up quickly. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 20 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 36,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
160 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written assignment: ethical investment report ¿ 60%
Spoken assignment: oral presentation ¿ 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 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 14 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 36,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
160 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written assignment: ethical investment report ¿ 60%
Spoken assignment: oral presentation ¿ 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:
- Produce professional writing, with appropriate language, structure, tone, and other academic conventions.
- Develop the necessary reading skills to analyse business sustainability challenges across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
- Present their ideas using clear language appropriate to the audience and purpose
- Participate in simulated professional contexts such as business meetings, negotiations and other intercultural communication situations, using appropriate language.
- Apply accurate business vocabulary in written and spoken communication.
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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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| Special Arrangements |
It is essential that students who wish to enrol on this course contact the Visiting Student Office and enrol by 5pm on the Wednesday before the start of the course. Places fill up quickly. |
| 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 | Mr James Cooper
Tel: (0131 6)50 4400
Email: jcooper6@ed.ac.uk |
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