Study Guide

Learning outcomes

Proficiency level: B2

The student is able to:
- interpret business transaction documents
- use field-specific business terminology and style of writing
- prepare clear and accurate business messages in correct English
- prepare explicit and effective texts for use within and outside the organization, and to meet the communicative needs.

Implementation and methods of teaching

Online studies, individual and pair work

Timing and attendance

4 January to 30 April 2021 (16 weeks). Online exercises and/or assignments every week and a final test (online) to complete through Moodle, no scheduled meetings in class or online.

Learning material and recommended literature

Provided by the teacher on Moodle

Exam retakes

Retakes and upgrading exams to be agreed on with the teacher

Learning environment

Moodle

Student time use and work load

About 80 hours during about 16 weeks

Contents

Outcome: Students are able to produce effective business documents using appropriate genres and styles. They can use standard business document templates and apply the essential terminology of sales and purchasing operations.
Contents: formal vs. informal style in business writing; common business transaction documents: inquiry, offer, invoice, complaint; other business texts: memo, press release, executive summary

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

The course is taught at the B2-C1 level according to the Common European Framework. Students who have taken KLI0637/ KEN0121Business Correspondence or KLI0801 Business Correspondence and Negotiations are not eligible for this course.

Assessment criteria

Students are to complete all assignments according to the given timetable and pass a test. Failed assignments and the test can be retaken twice. Students are assessed individually on a scale of 1-5. Assignments have a 60% weight and the test has a 40% weight in the assessment.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student does not complete the tasks, or the student's writing skills do not meet the grade 1 criteria.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student has met the assignment requirements minimally. Work displays vaguely consistent and appropriate register. Content is vaguely effective and diverse. Much of the text lacks logic and cohesive elements. The text is not in keeping with style-specific conventions. The student constructs minimally understandable sentences. Grammatical irregularities occur often. Vocabulary is minimally appropriate to context.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student has met the assignment requirements adequately. Work displays somewhat consistent and appropriate register. Content is somewhat effective and diverse. The text has a reasonably logical structure and is rather cohesive. Minor mistakes occur in style. The student mostly constructs sentences well. Grammatical irregularities occur. Vocabulary is adequately professional and mostly appropriate to context.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student has met the assignment requirements fully. Work displays consistent and appropriate register. Content is effective, diverse and skillfully delivered. The text has a clear and logical structure and is cohesive, fluent, and versatile. The student uses varied structures although occasional grammatical irregularities may occur. Vocabulary is varied and professional and typically appropriate to context.