Business English (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

4.9- 30.10.2020 required starting level B1+ - B2
this study unit is integrated with LTOP (liiketoiminnan perusteet)

On this course we will cover aspects of written and spoken Business English Communication. The focus is on communication rather than just language, although those aspects will be covered as well. Think of the course as giving you tools to become the kind of business communicator you would like to be.

There are six class sessions with different themes. For each class session, you will have a pre-task that should be completed before the class session, as well as homework after the class session. Class sessions are interactive sessions that consist of activities, group work, discussions and feedback, and require your active attendance.

Course themes:

Career profile: CV/LinkedIn/cover letter, job interviews
Pitching and presenting information 
Meetings and negotiations
Writing, emailing, business vocabulary

Objective

The student can both orally and in writing:
- describe the content and structure of his/her studies, training and working experience,
- introduce the operations and organization of a company and tell about different types of company forms as well as types of duties within a company,
- compile a professional job application and act in a job interview,
- communicate using right formality, vocabulary and phrases through a purchasing process (from an enquiry to an order, complaints, adjustments),
- analyze and tell about current business news in various Finnish media
- make and maintain contacts by phone, email, face-to-face

Content

Telling about the student’s own education, training and work experience. The student understands and can use appropriate business vocabulary and phrases both orally and in writing when describing the operations of a company, business environment, products and processes.
Making and maintaining contacts, discussing current business news, practising presentation skills. Compiling a job application and CV, acting in a job interview. Documentation used in a purchasing process.

Materials

Basic study material is published in Itsleaning but addtional material can be used
All other relevant links and materials are recommended

Teaching methods

contact lessons/workshops with teacher 20h
independent team work onsite and online

Exam schedules

no exam as assessment is done based on completed assignments
self and peer assessment are included

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

Innopeda is applied in various ways: Using and practising Business English prepares for international contacts and working-life needs
Team working skills are trained in group assignments
all assignments are based on typical working life situations

Student workload

5 cr = c 133h of student work
contact lessons with teacher c. 20h
working in teams and independently onsite and online

Evaluation methods and criteria

The course is assessed based on the following:

There are 10 assignments in total, and for each assignment, 0, 1 or 2 points are awarded (max. 20 points)
0= not accepted (e.g. not completed according to instructions or to required standard)
1= ok (e.g. instructions followed but does not show effort or is not a very good example of the required work)
2=excellent (e.g. assignment is completed to a very high standard and is good enough to be shown to others as a good example of the work required)

All assignments must be completed in order to pass the course. In addition, class sessions are a compulsory part of the course and they are counted towards the final grade (max. 6 points):
0=attended class
1=did not attend class

These points are added to a total of maximum 26 points, which is then converted into a final grade:
Points Final grade
26-23 5
19-22 4
17-19 3
15-16 2
13-14 1
12-0 fail