English for Business Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

   Students should have reached the Council of Europe Language Level B2 of competence in English. This is equivalent to the University of Cambridge First Certificate in English and may be described as follows:

A student at the B2 level can be expected to:understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation; interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party; and produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. 

Teaching Methods

The teaching methods to be used in this curricular unit embrace:

1. Discussion of vocabulary/reading exercises
2. Listening exercises followed by discussion and analysis of transcripts practice
3. Dealing with problem areas in English
4. Conducting research by mingling, interviewing others and writing down responses while standing
5. Improving English Grammar and Academic and Professional Writing skills at home by the use of recommended text books
6. Learning vocabulary and collocations for long-term improvement in understanding and production of the language

Learning Outcomes

 This curricular unit offers students a general knowledge of the English language with particular emphasis on the specific language used in both Business and Economics. Topics associated with the world of business and individual corporations will be dealt with through listening, speaking, reading and writing tasks. Knowledge acquired will specifically enhance a student’s ability to study other disciplines in English in the second semester of the third year, as well as in the Master or PhD degrees, where communicating, and especially reading in English, will be essential.It will also enable students to use the language with more confidence in their future working lives. These objectives should also be attractive to overseas students who are studying Management of Business Studies in their home country.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Activities can be categorised as speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary development and self-improvement. Various reading, vocabulary and collocation exercises related to Economics and Business English will include: World Economy; International Trade; Business Letters; Fair & Free Trade

The syllabus includes:

1. Listening/conversation/reading/writing/vocabulary exercises including: The BBC International News and Business News
2. Efficient use of Advanced Learner’s Dictionary: the different kinds of words; collocation; phonetic symbols; phrasal verbs; idioms; transitive and intransitive verbs; countable and uncountable nouns; American and British English
3. Techniques aiming at dictionary independence: False Cognates; Prefixes and Suffixes; Discourse Markers; Modal Verbs
4. Academic and professional writing: style and techniques.

Head Lecturer(s)

Rodney George Peach

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Periodic or by final exam as given in the course information: 100.0%