Business English

The course comprises two separate parts: Business English Reading and Vocabulary Focus, and Writing and Grammar Focus, in the course of which the students will become acquainted with selected problems concerning an economic system and the principles of business correspondence.

The course provides an accessible introduction to key concepts and the language of the business world. In the course of the classes the students will become acquainted with selected problems concerning an economic system and related international economic issues.

The following issues will be discussed (general content distribution in the two components):

• Company structure

• Employment (recruitment)

• Retail and franchise

• Business styles

• Banking

• Business and the Environment

• The Stock Market

• Import and Export

• Company Startup, Company Life

• Corporate Alliances and Acquisitions

Additionally, in the Writing and Grammar Focus part of the course, students will practice other kinds of business correspondence based on the Oxford Book of Business Correspondence,while in the Reading and Vocabulary Focus part, students will also develop the key language skills needed to communicate effectively in work situations.

Required reading:

Selection of texts and materials developed by the teachers, made available on the Moodle platform

Additional reading:

Trappe, T., Tullis, G. New Insights into Business. Pearson Education Limited.

Appleby, R., Watkins, F. International Express. Third Edition. Oxford University Press.

Ashley, A. Oxford Handbook of Commercial Correspondence. Oxford University Press.

Ashley, A. Oxford Correspondence Workbook. Oxford University Press.

Selected articles concerning business matters.

Assessment rules:

The students are evaluated in accordance with the university regulations, and they must attend all course meetings. Informed participation in class discussions – based on completion of the assigned reading and supportive collaboration with classmates – is also required.

Each class absence has to be excused in the first week after the lesson missed. The final grade percentage will be reduced for every unexcused absence. A grade average of at least 60% must be achieved to pass the course, so the students who have passed the final test but failed to obtain the required cumulative grade point average have to retake the final test and achieve the result sufficient to make up for the points lost due to unexcused absences or failing course assignments. Instructors are authorized to refuse credit when the student’s absenteeism rate is around 50%.

Each of the two components of the course (Business English Reading and Vocabulary Focus, and Writing and Grammar Focus) is worth 50% of the final grade. In order to complete the course, the student must obtain an overall average of at least 60% both in Reading and Vocabulary Focus, and Writing and Grammar Focus part.

Methods of assessment: The student obtains points for completing the following assessment tasks:

- Classroom Assignments, Written Tests and Homework Submissions (W1, U1, U2, U3, U4)

- In-Class Performance (W1, U1, U2, U3, K1, K2)

Assessment criteria: The course grades will be given in reference to the following criteria:

fail – 0-59%

satisfactory – 60-69%

satisfactory plus – 70-75%

good – 76-85%

good plus – 86-90%

very good – 91-100%

NOTE: all the above principles apply to all kinds of classes: traditional classroom and all the forms of remote teaching situations. In case of online teaching, the tests may likewise be administered remotely in a form facilitating the verification of the achievement of learning outcomes.

Not applicable.