English for Business Communication

COURSE OUTLINE

  1. GENERAL

SCHOOL

BUSINESS, ECONOMICS & SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE

LEVEL OF STUDY

UNDERGRADUATE

Course Unit Code

12070004

SEMESTER OF STUDY

7th

Course Title

 

ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

 

Coursework Breakdown

TEACHING WEEKLY HOURS

ECTS Credits

Lectures and guided activities

4

6

 

 

 

Course Unit Type

 

Skill development

Prerequisites :

 

Knowledge of General English at B level (CEFR)

 

Language of Instruction/Exams:

English (Intermediate to upper-intermediate level)

COURSE DELIVERED TO ERASMUS STUDENTS

Yes

Module web page (URL)

https://moodle.uniwa.gr/course/view.php?id=2224
           
  1. Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

 

The aim of this course is to develop students’ communication skills in the English language that will enable them to function effectively in a business environment. The course offers a practical approach to corporate communication that includes training in the principles and key elements of  business writing and the effective delivery of oral presentations. The course content focuses on selected written and oral forms of communication related to topics and issues critical to students of Business Studies.

Upon successful completion of this course  students should be able to

·         write effective and concise letters and memos employing appropriate business format;

·         prepare informal and formal reports that include analysis and offer recommendations;

·         participate in meetings and conduct proper techniques in telephone usage;

·         summarise  personal achievements and skills in appropriate formats for future employers or academic institutions;

·         perform  effectively  interviews 

·         prepare and deliver an oral presentation utilizing electronic software.

 

 

General Skills

The course provides students with the opportunity to                                                           

·         acquire collaborative skills through team work;

·          realize the impact of language usage on applying business etiquette to a variety of professional situations;

·         recognize the importance of  cultural  differences and how they affect communication in a business environment. 

 
   
  1. Course Content

The 13-week syllabus includes:

 

·         The process of communication/ Communication models/ Communication styles/ Communication types

·         Style and register in business communication

·         English for socializing: introducing yourself, welcoming a visitor, offering/accepting hospitality, talking about your work, ending a conversation

·         Letters of Inquiry, Responses to Inquiries, Quotations

·         Orders, Order Acknowledgement, Advice of Dispatch, Incoterms

·         Collection letters

·         Letters of Complaint and Letters of Adjustment

·         Conducting meetings: expressing opinions, making suggestions, agreeing/disagreeing

·              Writing minutes

·         Banking and Credit Letters

·         Telephone communication: taking/leaving messages, making arrangements

·         Memos and Emails

·         Reports: describing trends, expressing proportions, dealing with numbers, iIncorporating graphics

·         Making presentations

·         Job search writing: the Application or “Cover” Letter. Resumes and CVs /Job  Interviews

 
  1. Teaching Methods  – Assessment

Mode of DeliverY

In-class lecturing and guided activities                                                                         Multimedia lab supervised activities

USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Internet browsers, MOODLE, presentation tools, video editing software

 

TEACHING METHODS

 

Method description

Semester Workload

Lectures and guided activities

Structure and selected key elements of business writing, through presentation of guidelines and examples followed by practical applications/

Activities for oral practice

 

70

Supervised activities

Academic skills

Preparation for a PowerPoint presentation and script on a  business topic   

30

Autonomous activities

Independent learning

Assignment writing

50

TOTAL

150

 

 

ASSESSMENT METHOD

 

Written exam at the end of semester

•              Questions on text comprehension and use of English (50 points)

•              Writing task (50 points)
  1. Course material

Bennie,M.(2009) A Guide to Good English Communication. UK: How To Books Ltd.

British Council (2017) English for Business. Available at: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/teaching-adults/resources/english-business

Businessenglishpod (2017) Learn Business English. [Online[ Available at: https://www.businessenglishpod.com/

Chiotis-Leskowich, I. (2008) International commercial correspondence. P.I. Publishing.

Chiotis-Lesowitch, I. & Diamantis, G.(2005) Speech Communication Skills in the Global  Workforce . Αθήνα:  P.I. Publishing Diamantis, G. (2013) English for Business Communication. Athens:Φαίδιμος. 

Comford, J., Revell, R. & Scott, Ch. (2007) Business Reports in English. U.K. Cambridge University Press.

  Diamantis, G. (2013) English for Business Communication. Αθήνα: Εκδόσεις Φαίδιμος. 

  Koutsoyanni, E. (2015) Selected Elements of Written and Oral Communication. Teaching notes.  [Online] Available at:  https://moodle.uniwa.gr/course/view.php?id=771

 Purdue Online Writing Lab (2017) Professional, Technical Writing. [Online] Available at:  https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/4/16/

  Sweeney, S. (2003) English for Business Communication. Cambridge University Press