Module QXS-2003:
Business English 1

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics

10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Miss Debbie Garlick

Overall aims and purpose

The overall aim of this module is to increase a students' English language writing and speaking skills to a level sufficient for confident participation in a business/work environment, so that s/he can use English effectively in writing and presentation in both domains and can also transfer these skills to her/his academic work. The module also raises awareness of cross-cultural issues within a business/work environment.

Course content

This course is only available to students whose native language is not English, who would like to improve their skills in Business English.

(QXS2004 can be taken as a follow up course but is not a co-requisite).

This single module course provides practice in the skills required to work or do business effectively in an English-speaking environment. International business interaction, customs and etiquette are covered as well as British business culture. Students also work on improving their presentation skills and gain confidence in telephoning in English.

Business writing is an important element of the course including business letters, reports, memos, faxes and email. Studnets also work on improving their business vocabulary, in particular areas of international trade and the internet.

The module uses a communicative approach and by the end of the course, students would be expected to be at the level of ALTE Level 4 (Cambridge Advanced English), corresponding to 'Competent User' in the Council of Europe Framework.

Assessment Criteria

good

55% A student has achieved a good standard of English language competence in business-related fields in coursework and presentations relating to the learning outcomes above (equivalent to IELTS 6.5). A student has a good level of ability to interact successfully in business situations and have a good awareness of business etiquette. A student shows good competence in using a range of written business formats, as itemised above, and demonstrates good ability in speaking, listening, grammar and vocabulary within a business context. A student is able to give a presentation in English with a good awareness of structure, content, pronunciation, stance, delivery and timing and is able to acquire fairly complex information from a telephone conversation in English.

excellent

70% A student has achieved an exceptional standard of English language competence in business-related fields in coursework and presentations relating to the learning outcomes above (equivalent to IELTS 7.0 or above). A student has an excellent level of ability to interact successfully in business situations and has a very good awareness of business etiquette. A student shows extremely good competence in using a range of written business formats, as itemised above, and demonstrates very good ability in speaking, listening, grammar and vocabulary within a business context. A student is able to give an excellent presentation in English with very good awareness of structure, content, pronunciation, stance, delivery and timing and is able to participate , interact and acquire complex, detailed information from a telephone conversation in English.

threshold

40% A student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of english language competence in business-related fields in coursework and presentation relating to the learning outcomes above (equivalent to IELTS 6.0) A student has basic ability to interact successfully in business situations and has a basic awareness of business etiquette. A student shows basic competence in using a range of written business formats, as itemised above, and demonstrates basic ability in speaking, listening, grammar and vocabulary within a business context. A student is able to give a presentation in English with a basic awareness of structure, content, pronunciation, stance, delivery and timing and is able to acquire basic information form a telephone conversation in English.

Learning outcomes

  1. On successful completion of the module, a student will:

    1. Have an ability to interact successfully in business situations.

    2. Be aware of business etiquette.

    3. Have competence in speaking, listening, grammar and vocabulary within a business context at a level commensurate withi IELTS 6.0 and above.

    4. Be able to write correctly in a wide range of business formats, including letters, memos, reports and emails.

    5. Be able to write an effective academic essay, according to the conventions of UK universities.

    6. Have business presentation skills.

    7. Be able to make phone calls successfully in a business/work situation.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
ORAL Letter/Email 35
Written assignment, including essay Short Report 10
Essay 25
Presentation 30

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
 

Teaching consists of a two hour interactive class each week for 12 weeks. Students will be encouraged to work communicatively and engage in pair, group and team activities. Students are expected to do a substantial amount of work in preparation for and 1 addition to the assessed assignments.

  

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: