Course Objectives

The course is intended for students studying tourism and international marketing, as well as students who wish to improve their verbal and written skills within more specialised fields of Business English. Students will learn to function in an international business environment, increasing their competence and knowledge of written and spoken business communication. Students will become more familiar with social and cultural conditions in English-speaking countries.

Course Description

The course begins in the autumn with a review of general English grammar. Students will be given an opportunity to increase their vocabulary in business English communication with exercises in social English and verbal presentations. The students will also read and discuss articles and chapters chosen from the syllabus to provide practice and insight into business communication. The spring semester will focus on written business correspondence, using an e-mail project with Belgian students. Students will write CVs, and familiarise themselves with other documents associated with job applications. The discussion of case studies from international business and the composition of formal written reports will also be emphasised.

Learning Methods

3 to 4 hours of lectures weekly during the autumn and spring semesters. Lectures, group-work, individual written assignments, verbal presentations, business letters and reports, e-mail communication, case studies and discussions. Instruction will be in English.

Assessment Methods

Autumn semester: 4 written assignments that require passing grades. Oral examinations with individual presentations and discussion of the syllabus. The grade for the autumn semester will count for 50% of the final grade. The 4 to 6 written assignments in the spring semester must receive passing marks. Final written examination: 3 hours. The mark for the spring semester will count for 50% of the final grade. Students must achieve passing marks in all parts of the assessment.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean