Module Details

Module Code: BUSS H3004
Module Title: Business English 1
Title: Business English 1
Module Level:: 7
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Martin Meagher
Module Author:: Aisling Donnelly
Domains:  
Module Description: This module aims at providing students with the necessary English language skills to communicate effectively in a professional/work context including the development of writing, speaking and presenting capabilities. The focus of the module is on English usage within the business environment.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Apply English structures competently within a business context.
LO2 Display practical language skills within real workplace scenarios including presentations, negotiations, telephoning, meetings and discussions.
LO3 Compose and produce effective business communications (e.g. letters, reports, emails) relevant to industry needs.
LO4 Demonstrate oral fluency in English appropriate to a business setting.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
1. Business and Commercial Language Skills (written, oral and aural)
Business English: study of the language and terminology used when studying and working within a business/commercial field in an English speaking environment. Potential topics include conducting meetings and negotiations; agreeing and disagreeing; business transactions (ordering, delivery, quotes, payment, customer service); job applications/CVs; interview techniques.
2. Grammar/Use of English
Grammar points will be studied as they arise in class but will also include simple, compound and complex sentences; question tags; structural phrases and clauses; phrasal verbs; the passive/active voice; introduction to complex tenses.
3. Specialised Business Language
Business vocabulary; business idioms; collocations; expressions; analysing newspaper/online articles and business documents, specialised texts, charts and graphs; summarising/rewriting texts and abstracting main points; writing transactional letters/emails; article and report writing.
4. Presenting Skills
Effective presentation skills for business purposes; presentation structure and organisation; audience focus; answering questions; preparation and delivery of a clear, well-organised, professional presentation in English; researching information; selecting appropriate support material.
5. Oral/aural English Skills
Role plays; advertisement analysis; debating and negotiating; speaking and listening skills.
6. Writing and Reading Skills
Reading skills/comprehension; extracting the main ideas from business-related texts; writing and reading to develop proofreading and editing skills.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Examination % of Total Mark 60
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
In-class assessment
Assessment Type Oral Examination/Interview % of Total Mark 40
Timing Sem 1 End Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Oral presentation of a business topic
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Class-based activities Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Learning Time Non Contact Self-directed learning; Blackboard activities; English language work; writing and business English practice; vocabulary familiarisation; assignment/test/presentation preparation. Every Week 6.00 6
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 1.50 1.5
Independent Learning Non Contact No Description Every Week 7.50 7.5
Total Weekly Contact Hours 1.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Adler, Ronald; Maresh-Fuehrer, Michelle; Elmhorst, Jeanne and Lucas, Kristen. (2019), Communicating at Work: Strategies for Success in Business and the Professions, 12th. McGraw-Hill Education, New York, US.
  • Talbot, Fiona. (2019), How to Write Effective Business English: Your Guide to Excellent Professional Communication, 3rd. Kogan Page Limited, London, UK.
  • Murphy, Raymond. (2019), English Grammar in Use Book with Answers: A Self-study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Learners of English, 5th. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
  • Soames, Nicole. (2020), The Presenting Book: Practical Steps on How to Make a Great Impression, 1st. Lid Publishing Limited, New York, US.
  • Lester, Mark. (2017), Practice Makes Perfect: Advanced English Grammar for ESL Learners, 2nd. McGraw-Hill Education, Ohio, US.
  • Swan, Michael. (2017), Practical English Usage, 4th. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
  • Powell, Mark and Allison, John. (2014), In Company 3.0 - Upper Intermediate, 2nd. Macmillan Education, London, UK.
  • Hewings, Martin. (2013), Advanced Grammar in Use, 3rd. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Roche, Marc. (2018), Business English Speaking: Advanced Masterclass, 1st. IDM Business English Books, Self-published, US.
  • Vaughan, Andrew and Zemach, Dorothy. (2013), Get Ready for International Business 1, 1st. Macmillan Education, London, UK.
  • Geffner, Andrea. (2013), How to Write Better Business Letters, 5th.. Barron's Educational Series, Hauppauge, New York.
  • Taylor, Shirley. (2012), Model Business Letters, Emails and Other Business Documents, 7th. Pearson Education Limited, Harlow, UK.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: