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Business English Communication,B2 (5 cr)

Code: 3011525-3003

General information


Enrollment

02.07.2020 - 07.09.2020

Timing

24.08.2020 - 31.12.2020

Number of ECTS credits allocated

5 op

Virtual portion

5 op

Mode of delivery

Distance learning

Unit

Engineering and Business

Campus

Location-independent

Teaching languages

  • English

Degree programmes

Teachers

  • Poppy Skarli
  • Marjo Joshi

Groups

  • PINBOS20

Objective

The aim of the course is to activate and develop the students’ field-relevant English language and communication skills. The students will gain professional skills in various spoken and written communicative situations encountered in studies, working life and society. In addition, they will learn to utilize tools and techniques to further develop their skills in authentic, field-specific contexts.
Upon completing the course, the students should have acquired skills to communicate at level B2 according to European Framework of Reference for Languages, which states that at B2-level students should be able to produce clear, coherent and well-structured texts, present detailed descriptions related to one’s field of interest, express and exchange opinions using fluent language, follow complex arguments, and read longer articles and reports.

Content

- Writing academic and professional texts
- Presenting and discussing field-specific topics in academic and professional contexts
- Reading field-specific texts and utilizing the information in academic and professional contexts
- Learning and using key terminology of their field
- Becoming professional, autonomous language users in working life

Materials

Provided on course workspace for each study module

Teaching methods

Academic Writing: task-based, individual, online study materials, self-reflection
Business English Communication: task-based, individual research and reflection, interactive online meetings, team discussions and sharing video lectures and reading materials

Exam schedules

No examinations. Student can re-attempt the course by completing other missing parts of the course within one month of the course end.

International connections

Academic Writing: Personal objectives and independent study, Task-based assessment
Business English Communication: Personal objectives and independent study, Work life oriented learning assignments, Digital working environment as an authentic learning hub, Task-based assessment

Completion alternatives

Student can complete the Academic Writing part (2ECTS) and complete Accreditation of Prior Learning based on Competence (not transfer of credits):
Two weeks prior to course start, student submits a written report showcasing expertise in academic writing skills. If the submission fulfils the assessment criteria, student can attain the credits. If the submission does not meet the criteria, student joins the course
Student can complete the Business English Communication part (3ECTS) and complete Accreditation of Prior Learning based on Competence (not transfer of credits):
Two weeks prior to course start, student submits a video and a written report showcasing expertise in oral and written work place communication and professional communication. The report must include concrete examples of work place communication (e.g. meetings, negotiations, written reports, contracts, emails and so on). If the submission fulfils the assessment criteria, student can attain the credits. If the submission does not meet the criteria, student joins the course.
Please see the course workspace for further details.

Student workload

135 hours of student work
Academic Writing: 2ECTS=54 hours of work, on average 10 hours per week. No online meetings.
Busienss English Communication: 3ECTS=81 hours of work, on average 8 hours per week. Live online meetings: 2x 1hour All Group Online Meetings on Zoom, and 2x 1hour Study team online meetings on MS Teams. (Meetings integrated with Intercultural Communication for Global Work course. Meetings are compulsory even if student takes only one of the courses)
Modules include study materials and practical activities and assignments.

Content scheduling

Academic Writing: Aug-Sept (wk 35-40)
Business English Communication: Oct-Dec (wk 41-51)

Further information

Students who take an active part in and successfully complete the Business English Communication part of the course (integrated with Intercultural Communication for Global Work course), are eligible to apply for the digital badge 'Global Communicator':
Through faculty-led student education, the badge earner has demonstrated the ability to communicate and work in international environments in English. In addition, the badge earner has achieved an understanding of cultural frameworks, communication methods and tools for online and on-site global work.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Academic Writing:
Five course assignments (60%)
Essay (40%)
Business English Communciation:
Five course assignments (50%)
Participation in online meetings and live online discussions (30%)
Peer feedback, participation in written online discussions, sharing of own expertise. (10%)

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Student did not complete required course assignments that show competence in course topics, did not participate in the online meetings to showcase competence in course topics or take an active part in the course to share expertise and learn from others.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student can describe the importance of business communication skills in oral and written business context, and shows some ability to communicate in situations requiring business communciation skills.
The student can describe and identify features of academic writing, elements of paragraph and essay structure, unity and coherence, is aware of ways to avoid plagiarism.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student is able to describe the communication skills needed in orla and written business contexts and demonstrates ability to communicate in various business situations.
The student can produce text that contains some features of academic writing, has some elements of paragraph and essay structure. The student can produce text that displays a degree of unity and coherence. The student can reference sources and compile a refrence list although there are inconsistencies in the format and style.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to analyse different communicative situations in business and suggest ways of improving the communication in challenging situations. The student shows ability to adapt and adjust his/her communication style in various situations requiring professional communication skills.
The student can produce text that contains most features of academic writing, has well-developed elements of paragraph and essay structure. The student can produce text that displays unity and coherence consistely throughout the essay. The student can reference sources and compile a refrence list in a consistent format and style.