Academic management

This module is a third-year free elective. It is designed to facilitate English learning within the context of economic and financial activities. The module assumes a basic command of English (A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or CEFR) and intends, through a theoretical and hands-on approach, to evolve towards B1 (pre-intermediate, or CEFR independent user). The module main objective is helping students acquire the grammar, vocabulary and pragmatic skills for this level within a professional environment.

To make good use of this module it is essential to have a CEFR A2 command of English in the first place. Students are expected, from the onset, to be able to communicate in usual everyday tasks to be able to talk about their past, give instructions and simple opinions. This starting level is essential to follow a lesson in English and participate actively in the written and oral tasks put forward. No adaptation will be given to those with a lower level. This is particularly relevant to those who have not been in contact with English in the last two years.

General skills:

• Organization and planning (GS2).
• Oral and written communication in English (B1 level) (GS4).
• ICT skills (GS5).
• Teamwork (GS9).
• Working within an international context (GS10).
• Performing in various multicultural contexts (GS11).
• Independent learning (GS14).
• Adapting to new situations (GS15).
• Awareness of environmental, social, and equality issues, and democratic values (GS19).

Module-specific skills:

• Writing short reports and other professional documents, focussing on language issues and requirements (MS3).
• Applying cultural aspects from texts to behavioural and simulation models (MS6).

• Being aware of communicative requirements in English, and developing a lexicon which helps working in a given context (MS30).

Learning outcomes stemming from these skills are:

• Understanding language used in an accounting and financial context in English (LO9.1).
• Understanding business-related texts in English, being capable of summarizing, extracting and analysing information (LO9.2).
• Using formal registers and other common forms of politeness in business contexts, both orally and through written texts (LO9.3).
• Exchanging information in English orally, both face to face and on the phone, considering cultural differences (LO9.4).
• Using communicative strategies in English to argue, explain, give further details, state opinions, make plans or projects, apologize and promote a product (LO9.5)
• Doing research to put together self-devised texts (LO9.8).
• Organizing and structuring business texts through discourse markers and those text formats prevalent in the English-speaking world (LO9.9).
• Producing typical texts and documents in accounting and finance (such as commercial correspondence, business documents, informative texts, reports or projects) (LO9.10).

Topic 1. Inside companies

1. The working day: jobs, skills, careers, routines and tasks.
2. Company growth: sectors, company culture, structure and history.
3. Working holidays: company policy and decision-making.
4. New places, new people: starting a new job.

Topic 2. Company communication

1. Online communication: business and customer service e-mails.
2. Describing equipment: components, shapes, dimensions and materials.
3. Distribution: travel arrangements, short messages and delivery issues.
4. Making arrangements: telephone conversations, appointments and planning.
5. Transport: travel arrangements and problem-solving.

Topic 3. Job seeking

1. Thinking globally: working in an international team.
2. Job applications: job offers, CVs, cover letters and online recruitment.
3. Staff development: training courses and transferable skills.

Learning in the module requires active participation through simulation, exchanging-information and text-writing activities, either individually or in small groups. As an English-for-Specific-Purposes module, it is set around tasks or projects, and uses both synchronous/asynchronous online and face-to-face methods as suitable. Exceptionally, if health authorities require so, exclusively virtual teaching methods may be implemented; in such a case, the students will be informed about the relevant changes. Lessons will introduce linguistic targets through receptive tasks (reading and listening comprehension) and oral practice, as well as instructor comments and feedback. Students will also engage in oral and written production, both individually and as a group. In their time for self-guided learning, students will work with linguistic targets, interacting with texts, videos or tasks as required, and will complete set assignments.

Assessment consists of two major components: A) ongoing assessment, based on performing written and oral tests through the semester; and B), module finals on the contents and skills discussed in class. Both will evaluate the same abilities and follow the same grading criteria. Exceptionally, if health authorities require so, exclusively virtual assessment methods may be implemented; in such a case, the students will be informed about the relevant changes. Students are reminded that oral tests may be recorded, and a copy would be available at their request.

In the first call (May)

A. Ongoing assessment (60% of the final grade, max. 6 out of 10) consists of:

• ongoing assessment tests on the content, vocabulary, and skills discussed in class, through listening and reading comprehension, and written tasks. The average weighs 36% of the final grade.
• two oral tasks: a brief simulation on the skills practiced in class (phoning, problem-solving, arranging a meeting, etc.) in pairs. Towards the end of the semester, students will do an individual interview on one of the syllabus topics. The average weighs 12% of the final grade.
• a Use-of-English test (grammar and vocabulary), typically towards the end of the semester, weighing 12% of the final grade.

B. Final assessment (40% of the final grade, max. 4 out of 10). Once lessons end, the Faculty will set a time and place for module finals, which will comprise:

• a written test, worth 28% of the final grade, including listening, reading, writing, and Use-of-English papers.
• an oral test in the format of an individual interview on one of the syllabus topics, weighing 12% of the final grade.

Differentiated assessment (if granted)

Those students granted Differentiated Assessment (see article 7 of the Assessment Procedure at the University of Oviedo) will follow component B only, thus weighing 100% of their grade (up to 10 marks).

Subsequent calls

In subsequent calls component B will weigh 100% of the grade (up to 10 marks).

Code of Ethics

Students are reminded that the Universidad de Oviedo Code of Ethics is in force and applicable; it may be reviewed via the following link: https://www.uniovi.es/en/launiversidad/panoramica/codigoetico

Essential reading and practice

Whitby, Norman 2013 Business Benchmark Pre-intermediate to Intermediate Student’s book BEC Preliminary Edition, 2nd Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Duckworth, Michael 2003 Business Grammar and Practice New Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

N.B.: These books are also used for Business English II: Oral Presentations and Intercultural Communication.

Additional bibliography

a) Online resources

OCW Course

http://ocw.uniovi.es/course/view.php?id=169&section=5

BBC World Service Language Learning Area – English at Work

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/englishatwork/

BBC World Service Language Learning Area – Pronunciation Tips

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/

BBC World Service Language Learning Area – Talking Business

www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/business/talkingbusiness

Business English Grammar Exercises

http://www.better-english.com/grammar.htm

Business English Vocabulary Exercises

http://www.better-english.com/vocabulary.htm

Business Grammar Online Practice

http://elt.oup.com/student/bgp/?cc=global&selLanguage=en

English Club Business English Resources

http://www.englishclub.com/business-english/

b) Online dictionaries

http://www.businessdictionary.com/
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/business-english/

http://es.forvo.com/languages/en/
http://www.howjsay.com/

http://www.wordreference.com/