Module QXS-2003:
Business English 1

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media

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
Letter/Email 35
Short Report 10
Essay 25
Presentation 30

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

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.

 100

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
  • Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
  • Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: