This is a one-semester course for preparatory year students from the School of Business and Management. This course is taken in the Spring Semester. Most students taking the course will have taken LANG 1007 in the Fall Semester.
There are four 1½ hour classes per week. In these classes students read, speak and write about business-related topics and issues, as well as topics of general interest. Because the course has been designed to provide an integrated approach to language skills development, students will, for example, write about topics and issues that they have previously read about and discussed.
Students decide on the focus topics. Business-related topics could include the future of fair trade or the impact of P2P networking on the music industry. Examples of topics of general interest might include the search for alternative fuels or the redevelopment of areas of historical significance in a city.
Students also participate in business simulations. This involves taking part in a meeting to try to resolve a difficult situation or problem through negotiation, within a limited period of time. Students play a specified management role and are given specific information about their personal situation.
The main course text, Introduction to Business Communication for Preparatory Year Students, is provided by the Language Center.
The course is graded and worth three credits.
Course Objective
To the student
The aim of LANG 1009 is to develop your ability to read with understanding, critically analyse, and then talk and write about business-related topics and issues. To do this you will need to extend your knowledge of vocabulary commonly featured in business articles. You will also work on your ability to communicate ideas effectively in presentations, seminar discussions and meetings, and in writing reports.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attribute |
By the end of this semester, you will be able to... |
| Competency-building |
Vocabulary
- provide evidence of your understanding and ability to use a range of business-related vocabulary.
Critical Thinking and Reading Skills
- select information that might be of use in seminars.
- extract key information from business articles.
- analyse critically argumentation, examples and evidence to form balanced judgements.
Presentation Skills
- lead a seminar by presenting a clear, balanced and contextualised description and analysis of a general or business-related issue.
- use language that is accurate but also appropriate in tone and style for a seminar presentation.
- use appropriate body language to facilitate communication when presenting.
Discussion Skills
- participate in a seminar or meeting by using turn taking strategies and basic negotiation techniques to achieve goals, resolve conflicts and reach agreement.
- use language that is accurate but also appropriate in tone and style for a seminar discussion or meeting.
- use appropriate body language to facilitate communication in a discussion.
Report Writing Skills
- write a report with a clear, coherent and balanced description and analysis of relevant issues.
- use language that is accurate but also appropriate in tone and style for a report.
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Leadership & Teamwork |
- collaborate with your peers to research and present information on general and business-related topics.
- collaborate with your peers to facilitate seminar discussion of general and business-related issues.
- play an assigned role, and collaborate with other participants in a meeting, to achieve goals, resolve conflicts and reach agreement.
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Vision & Orientation to the Future |
- manage the development of your business-related vocabulary, by selecting appropriate words and expressions from articles read, keeping a detailed record of these and checking your ability to understand and use this vocabulary.
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