IB M3 2019-20 English Business Communication Business Partner B2+

1 Introduction

Welcome to this EBC (English Business Communication) programme for module 3.

You have chosen an education in an international, multicultural setting. Moreover, present-

day society is influenced heavily by the English language. For these reasons, NHL Stenden
offer this EBC programme.

You may have had English in different contexts before, but now we are going to focus on the
business setting. Although the professional setting students encounter may be different for
each education, there are certain English skills that are required for all students in any
industry.

In this EBC programme, your knowledge of basic tenses, functions and structures at this level
will be polished, although it is certainly not a course for beginners. The language-orientated
course offers practice in the structures and skills needed to develop a sound base for the
study of English. The language is presented in a variety of business contexts, thus giving a
direct and relevant meaning to you, as professional learners.

You will cover the following topics at this level: Market Research, Business Challenges
(environmental/cyber) Global Mobility, Corporate Culture in Communication and Strategies
(alliances), Training and Development at work (give and take) , Finance in Business (money
matters), Risk Management, Decision Making, Formal email writing and short report writing.

On successful completion of this course, you will have a sound grasp of the rudiments of the
English language and will be able to communicate effectively in the business environment at
the B2+ level across the four disciplines: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking

There is also a focus on English grammar and vocabulary, which directly relates to the
previously mentioned skills. The aspects of grammar which will be covered are:

- Question tags
- Cleft sentences
- Phrasal verbs
- Tenses/simple and perfect
- Future tense
- Inversions
- Past modals
- Sentence inversions
- Compound nouns and adjectives
- Conditionals
- To infinitive / continuous tense
- Idiom and Vocabulary

Independent work and preparation is also a major part of this course.

1
2 Competences and objectives

Competences
The competences developed in this course include:
1. Knowledge and understanding of business terminology;
2. Knowledge of methods and techniques useful in basic business life;
3. The capacity to study, understand and evaluate relevant business publications and
writings;
4. The capacity to report (orally and in writing) in English on different aspects of business
and using different methods;
5. Critical evaluation of your (peers’) work.

Course objectives
After completing this course, you are knowledgeable about the most important aspects of
business English. You will also be able to understand basic business terminology, writings and
listening passages. You will be able to produce basic business English writing and speaking
texts and passages at a B2+ (CEF) level.

The table below explains what a B2+ level in the Common European Framework means:

Listening B2+: I can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even
complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably
familiar/ business related. I can understand most TV news and
current affairs programmes.
Reading B2+: I can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary
business problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes
or viewpoints. I can understand contemporary literary prose on
familiar business subjects.
Spoken Production I can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of
B2+: subjects related to my field of interest. I can explain a viewpoint
on a topical business issue giving the advantages and
disadvantages of various options.
Spoken Interaction I can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes
B2+: regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. I can take
an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for
and sustaining my views.
Writing B2+: I can write clear and cohesive text on a wide range of subjects
related to my interests. I can write a formal email or report,
passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against
a particular point of view. I can write formal correspondence
highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences.

2
In this EBC programme, the following language competencies will be developed:

Receptive Productive

Listening* Reading Spoken Interaction Written

- Dialogue - Articles - Face to Face situations/ - Short reports

- Presentation - Websites interactions - Business
- Videos - Discussions correspondence ( email
*self study or letter)

Didactic Concept
Language is a tool that you can use to understand specific topics and communicate with.
Therefore, it is central to and vital for any form of communication. In the frame of
competence-targeted education, the didactic approach of language acquisition is most
efficient and beneficial. Combinations of teacher instruction and autonomous learning, and
“focus on form” and “focus on forms” provide the students with the tools to grow in overall
business English proficiency.

Autonomous learning will be stimulated, which is used in most languages courses at NHL
Stenden IB. Students must work independently and be self-motivated, enabling control over
their own learning process.

Methods
The course is based on exercises that combine various skills utilising the Business Partner
B2+ course and work book, plus the digital support resources that come with this package.
These exercises focus on realistic situations that may arise in any professional business
lifestyle. The skills are:
• reading (newspaper and magazine articles, reports, graphs);
• writing emails, reports, business letters,);
• listening (general conversations, interviews, presentations, meetings);
• speaking (meetings, brainstorming, short debates);
• presenting (plans, group/ individual business ideas);

3
3 Programme

This chapter gives you the program for all the classes. The pages and chapters refer to using
the book: Business Partner B2+ by Dubicka, Rosenberg, Dignen, Hogan & Wright (2019).
Pearson.

Weekly Schedule
Week Homework
All homework should be done prior
to the relevant class, e.g., the
homework for class 1 should be
done before you come to class 1,
homework for class 2 before you
come to class 2 and so on.
1 Unit 1.5 Reports/ summary
findings
Pgs.16 Lead in 1, Functional Language
2 A/B
Class work
Homework answers will be checked/
discussed. Any reading activities not
completed in class need to be completed
independently for exam preparation.
Unit 1.5 H/w check
Summary report
Pgs. 16, 118, 126, 132

2 Unit 2.1 Manage or mentor? Unit 2.1. H/w check

Pgs. 18-19 Project 10 A/B pg. 19
Prepare Lead in 1-3, Video 2-5 (own
ideas for 5) Vocabulary 6-9 Project 10
A
3 Unit 2.2 Kindness or success? Unit 2.2 H/w check
Pgs.20-21 Speaking 7 A/ B pg. 21
Prepare Lead in, Reading 2-3, Grammar
4 -6 (+ pg. 119)
4 Unit 2.4 Collaboration Unit 2.4 H/w check
Pgs. 24-25 5 A-D Pg. 25
Prepare Lead in, Listening 2 A-3 D
Functional language 4 A/B
5 Unit 3.5 Letter of complaint Unit 3.5 H/w check
p. 36 Task 3 A-C Pgs.36, 120,126/7
Prepare Lead in, Functional Language 2
A/B
6 Unit 4.1 Environmental challenges Unit 4.1 H/w check
Pgs. 38-39 Project 10 A/B Pg.39
Prepare Lead In Video 2-4, Vocabulary
6-9
7 Unit 4.2 Cyber challenges Unit 4.2 H/w check
Pgs. 40-41 Speaking and writing 8 Pg. 41
Prepare Lead in 1-2, Reading 3/4,
Grammar 5-7 (+ pg 120)
8 Practice listening exam In Class

4
4 Assessment of the EBC programme
The final grade is comprised of four exam components in the Cambridge style, consisting of
a written section, a reading section, a listening section and a speaking section. These exams
take place at the end of M4. Assessment for M3 is based on sufficient attendance and
constructive participation in at least 80% of the EBC classes.

For all the M4 assessments, candidates must score at least the minimum number of points
indicated on the front of the exam papers. If one or more grades are insufficient, the candidate
will not receive a final score for the semester. This means that the failed component(s) must
be retaken and scored at a sufficient level that academic year in order to pass the course.
Failure to pass all four components in the given academic year will result in a failure for the
EBC semester two. In such case, all four components need to be retaken at the end of
semester two in the following academic year, attained year 1 EC credit permitting.

Note that you will receive a semester grade for the second semester EBC programme. That
is to say: you must pass both module 3 and module 4 to receive a passing grade on Progress.
In case you pass only one of the two, Progress will show an F (fail). Only when both module
3 and module 4 are both passed will your grade show a P (pass) or BEH (behaald).

M4 final exams for semester 2

Writing exam
Two Writing Assignments Formal email or letter and short report

Aids NONE
Duration 45 minutes
Exam is based on: Cambridge style/ Business Partner B2+

Reading exam
45 questions Gap fill, multiple choice,
Aids NONE
Duration 60 mins
Exam is based on: Cambridge style / Business Partner B2+

Listening exam
40 questions Gap fill, multiple choice
Aids NONE
Duration 40 mins
Exam is based on: Cambridge style / Business Partner B2+

Speaking exam
Pair discussion Discussion on business topic/ own point of view
Aids NONE
Duration 10-15 mins
Exam is based on: Cambridge style / Business Partner B2+

5
Participation
Although participation is not awarded with points but with a Pass/Fail mark, you are required
to:
 Be prepared and attend at least 80% of the classes (no more than 1 absence
permitted);
 Actively participate in all classes;
 If you are not prepared, you will not be permitted to follow the workshop;
 Without participation, you will not receive a passing mark for this module.

5. Resit of the English programme

Second Opportunity
If you do not score a sufficient mark for your exams to pass the norm, you can register with
the EBC tutor to resit those parts that failed within the current academic year. If you do not
pass the course in this academic year (2019-20, you will have to resit ALL EBC exam
components for M4 next academic year (EC credit norm permitting).

Regarding deadlines, please follow the rules in the Teaching and Exam Regulations. You need
to contact the EBC tutor within 2 weeks after publication of the results regarding any possible
inaccuracies in your grade.

Compulsory textbook

Dubicka, I., Rosenberg, M., Dignen, B., Hogan, M., & Wright, L., (2019). Business partner
B2+ + Digital resources code. ISBN: 978 1 292 23357 4