Module Description
English for Professional Communication 3
Short Code:
Language of Instruction:
ECTS-Credits:
Workload (h):
Central Idea:
In today’s globalized business world, the ability to communicate effectively in English has become indispensable. At the same time, English has undergone a major demographic transformation; its most widespread use is noa among speakers who have different first languages. This means that communicators must be highly aware of the context of communicative acts, adapt their style accordingly, and be able to craft clear, unambiguous, and appropriate messages in a wide variety of situations. EPC3, therefore, is not a traditional language course but takes a skills-focused approach to help students become successful communicators in international business encounters.
Module Coordinator:
Lecturers:
Location (Offered):
Additional Required Knowledge:
English level B2+ or higher
Module Type:
Comments:
Workload[h]
Contact hours: 24
Guided self-study: 46
Independent self-study: 20
Module Evaluation:
Performance Evaluation
During the Exam Session:
Exam Comments:
No aids allowed
During the Semester:
- Präsentation in Gruppen, Dauer 5min/person
Evaluation Type:
Weighting:
- Presentation : 40 points
- Written exam: 80 points
Remarks:
Contents
Intended Learning Outcomes (Final Competences):
Professional competences
Participants can:
- Analyse the contexts of acts of business communication
- Apply appropriate techniques to create goodwill
- Write clear, professional replies to enquiries
- Write appropriately phrased negative messages
- Write persuasive business proposals
- Give a well-structured business presentation on a start-up company (in pairs)
Methodological competences
Participants can:
- Adapt their oral and written communication to situational requirements, e.g. by choosing the right level of formality and using a you-viewpoint
Self-competences
Participants can:
- Analyze and modify their own communication strategies
- Develop their own language learning strategies, e.g. for vocabulary building
Social competences
Participants can:
- Use techniques to build positive relationships through communication
- Provide reliable support for the learning process of other team members
Module and Learning Content:
Topic area I: Introduction
- Startups
- The Business Model Canvas
- Building positive relationships through communication
Topic area II: Writing
- Crafting effective messages: replies to enquiries
- Breaking bad news: negative messages
- Persuasive messages: proposals
Topic area III: Giving a business presentation
- Pitching to investors
- Referring to visual elements
- Choosing the right register
- Commanding attention
- Dealing with questions
Teaching and Learning Methods:
Lectures, class discussions, pair work, group work, role plays; e-learning activities
Bibliography:
Mandatory:
- Rentz, K. and Lentz, P. (2016). Business Communication: a Problem-Solving Approach. New York: McGraw-Hill Education. [The relevant chapters are available as pdfs on Moodle.]
- ENPC worksheets (Moodle).
Optional:
- McCarthy, M., McCarten, J., Clark, D., Clark, R. (2009). Grammar for Business. Cambridge: Cambridge UP.
- Brieger, N. (2011). Writing. London: Collins English for Business.
- Ledden, E. (2017). The Presentation Book. How to create it, shape it, and deliver it! London: Pearson Business.
Further links to optional literature are on Moodle