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HA R63 - English Skills for Business Students*

Faculty
Spencer Shaw
Course Coordinator
Lise Mourier
Prerequisite/progression of the course
The course is only open to intermediate level (minimum B1) non-native speakers of English. It is not possible to register for both HR63 and HR 65 in the same semester and it is not possible to register for HR63 if you have previously taken HR65.
This course starts at the B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference and works toward achievement at the B2 level.
Course content, structure and teaching
The skills course will focus on developing the following skills:
· Effective reading
· Academic and business writing
· English as an International Language
· Oral communication (including class presentations and discussion)
Teaching methods
Seminar style teaching with interactive class discussions and peer critique. Regular attendance and active participation in discussion is essential for success in this course.
The course's development of personal competences
Interpersonal and intercultural skills. Improved fluency in English communication on both a social and business level. Ability to formalise both spoken and written argumentation.
Learning Objectives
The learning objectives to achieve within English Skills for Business Students are:
  • To be able to follow lectures or talks in familiar subject matter, presented in a straightforward fashion
  • To be able to understand the main ideas of complex speech on both concrete and abstract topics delivered in a standard dialect, including technical discussions in student’s own field of specialisation
  • To read and understand articles and reports on current problems in which the writers express specific attitudes and points of view
  • To understand in detail texts within student’s own field of interest or academic/professional speciality
  • To initiate, maintain and end dialogue with effective turn taking and engage in extended conversation in a clearly participatory fashion on general topics
  • To give clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my field of interest
  • To explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options
  • To have sufficient vocabulary to express oneself connected to academic field and general topics
  • To communicate with reasonable accuracy and correct mistakes if they have led to misunderstandings
  • to write clear and detailed texts (compositions, reports or texts of presentation) on various topics related to student’s field of interest
  • To write summaries from different sources and media
  • To develop an argument systematically in a composition or report, emphasizing decisive points and including supporting details
Type of examination, exam aids and assessment
4-hour written exam – computer (Word) with print. No exam aids. 12-point grading scale.
Recommended literature
Compendium of readings and exercises

Last updated by The electives office 25/02/2010