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 (100%) via Moodle. Individual and team work. Independent study, guidance provided by the teacher on request (via email). Assignments to complete according to instructions and to hand in for the teacher to provide feedback and assessment. Self-evaluation.

Timing and attendance

No scheduled meetings, no contact classes either online or on campus. However, students must adhere to given deadlines for assignments.

Learning material and recommended literature

Provided by the teacher on Moodle. Online reading materials, exercises, assignments, and a test.

Exam retakes

Students who fail the course will need to complete the course requirements within one year (12 months) from the end of the course period. Consult the teacher to agree on retakes of failed assignments and upgrading exams.

Learning environment

Online (100%) via Moodle. Email for communication between the students and the teacher.

Student time use and work load

The approximate student workload is 80 hours during the course, 5-6 hours a week on average.

Contents

- appropriate genres and styles in business communication
- terminology of sales and purchases, typical phrases
- import and export document models and their use
- internal and external business communication including newsletters and press releases

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

The course is taught at a B2 level according to the Common European Framework. Students who have successfully completed other business writing or correspondence courses in English are not recommended to take this course.

Assessment criteria

Students are to complete the assignments according to the given timetable, pass a test, and write a self-evaluation essay at the end of the course. The teacher assesses the students' performance individually on a scale of 5-0 (certain assignments Pass/Fail). Failed/grade 0 assignments and a failed test can be retaken twice. If the student completes the course (grade 4-1) but wishes to upgrade, one attempt is allowed. Consult the teacher about retakes and upgrade exams.

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 the 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 the 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 the context.