Study Guide

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

Provided on course workspace for each study module

Teaching methods

The methods include task-based activities, individual research and reflection, interactive online and campus meetings, team discussions, video and reading materials.

Exam schedules

No exam as the course is task-based and assessed based on successful completion of required assignments and participation in online and campus workshops. Student can re-attempt the course by completing other missing parts of the course within one month of the course end.

International connections

Flipped learning, Work life oriented learning assignments, Independent and small group study, Task-based assessment

Completion alternatives

Similar Business English courses in other HEI's
Accreditation of prior learning is possible, please contact the teacher before the course starts for instructions. If the accreditation submission fulfils the assessment criteria, student can attain the credits. If the submission does not meet the criteria, student joins the course.

Student workload

135 hours of student work in total; 5 modules; each includes study materials and practical activities and assignments:

1. Describing his/her studies and professional field of work 20h
2. Professional texts and news in various media, vocabulary 25h
3. Career orientation, incl. professional job application, email cover letter and participating in a job interview 30h
4. Meetings and negotiations, networking and business socializing 30h
5. Pitching and presenting information 30h

Content scheduling

Student can both orally and in writing communicate using the right style and register in different contexts:
- Describing his/her studies and professional field of work
- Professional texts and news in various media, vocabulary
- Career orientation, incl. professional job application, email cover letter and participating in a job interview
- Meetings and negotiations, networking and business socializing
- Pitching and presenting information

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Description of own studies and work; peer and self evaluation

Assignments and type of feedback/evaluation:
-CV, email cover letter, Linkedin Profile, job interview practice; teacher and peer evaluation
-Product pitch; peer and self evaluation
-Professional presentation; self, peer and teacher evaluation
-Team meeting; peer and teacher evaluation
-Analysis of professional text and vocabulary; self and teacher evaluation

Assessment:
Completion of five course modules and assignments (50%)
Participation in online and campus meetings and activities (40%)
Peer feedback and self-evaluation (10%)

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Student does not complete required course assignments that show competence in course topics, does 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 shows some ability to communicate in situations requiring business communication skills. The student participates in class sessions but does not share or complete peer evaluation in the learning process. The student completes all the assignments but they may be of poorer standard in terms of language, communication or finishing. The self-evaluation may be lacking in terms of substance or reflection.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student demonstrates good ability to communicate in various oral and written business contexts. The student participates actively in class sessions and peer evaluation to share and learn from others. The student completes all assignments and self-evaluation as required to a good standard.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to communicate professionally in different business situations. The student shows ability to adapt and adjust his/her communication style and react even in more demanding communicative situations. The student participates actively in class sessions and peer evaluation to share and learn from others. The student completes all assignments and self-evaluation as required to an excellent standard.