Faculty of Economics

DISCAG/DIMEG

Business English

Group A

Prof. Carmen Argondizzo

Tutorials: dott.Vanessa Marcella

2ndsemester 2018

Course description and content

The course focuses on the development of academic skills in L2 with the support of authentic materials related to the students’ field of study. The teaching approach is communicative and learner-centered. The lessons will be dynamic and will include the use of videos and constant collaborative group work. Moreover, students (both International and Italian) will be asked to give brief oral presentations in class in order to share cultural backgrounds.

Course objectives and skills

Knowledge and understanding

Students should approach the course with the objective of:

expanding their knowledge of the main elements of spoken and written discourse in English;
being able to follow presentations and academic lectures in their field of study;
developing critical and creative thinking, while being exposed to communicative and collaborative group experiences, both in class and in everyday academic contexts.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Students should be able to develop and apply their knowledge in the following language skills and communicative functions:

Reading and textual skills

understanding and reflecting on the content of academic texts, including articles on technical issues in the field of Business Administration.

Listening skills

understanding the main ideas and a certain range of details of most spoken language in a business context as long as it is delivered at normal speed;

understanding and reflecting on the content of video presentations (e.g.: academic seminars, commercials, hints on presentations and elevator pitch experiences).

Speaking skills

explaining the main points in an idea with reasonable precision, evaluating situations, expressing opinions on a range of topics, specifically related to business and economics, while using appropriate business vocabulary and, when necessary, persuasive language;
delivering a well-developed presentation, highlighting significant points and relevant supporting details;
participating in discussions related to topics in the field of Business Administration.

Writing skills

writing and completing a short text using appropriate language;
writing and completing a business email.

Autonomous StudyCMC_E project 5 Units

DatesContent

March 14th

Topic 1Approaching the module: course organization. Introduction to the CLA website

March 20th21st23rd

Topic 1Warm up activity: Getting to know each other through name badges.

Topic 2Listening and enjoy: Una vita in vacanza by Stato Sociale.

Students listen to the Italian song, give feedback on emotions the song created; note down key words in English and give definitions on the keywords.

Value: Take things easy but reflect on important issues.

Topic 3Video watching: Britains’ got Talent. Students watch the video and give feedback on global content and detailed expressions.

Value: Inclusion and passion for dancing.

TutorialsAssessing competences in the English Language using as reference the self-assessment grid provided by the Common European Framework (Council of Europe); awareness of study tasks.

Business topics:Industries and companies. Types of businesses. Expanding Business vocabulary through collocations and related words.

March 27th28th (Easter Holiday)

Topic 1Reflecting on Tutorials: students are asked to recall10 words or principles that they remember about class.

Topic 2Stand up and talk to each other: introduce yourself to your new friend.

Topic 3Video watching: The Candidate. Heineken video. Students watch the video and give feedback on global content and detailed expressions.

Topic 3Corpus Linguistics (Rosalba Rizzo)

Tutorials Business Topics: Globalization. Brainstorming and creating mind maps on Globalization. Students report on Globalization and on the forces driving globalization presenting points of view in small groups.

April 4th 6th

Topic 1Reflecting on previous class: students are asked to recall10 words or principles that they remember about corpus linguistics.

Topic 2Stand up and talk: Share your idea with your friend.

Topic 3Video watching: Why Study Business Administration

Students watch the video, spot the mistakes in the script and take notes of interesting words and expressions.

Value: Getting aware of students’ specific field of study.

Topic 4A word and definition activity: Innovation. A student reads the definition of the word wit hout mentioning the it. The other students guess what the word is. Then they read the definition and focus on key words.

Excerpt from: Matthew Bishop 2004. Essential Economics The Economist Newspaper Ltd.

April 10th11th12th

Topic 1Reflecting on Tutorials: students are asked to recall10 words or principles that they remember about class.

Topic 2In-progress reflection on language skills and course objectives: The Syllabus.

Topic 3Video watching: The Basics of Business Education - What Business Students Should Study (1st part).

Students watch the video and give feedback on global content and detailed expressions.

Tutorials Business Topics:Corporate strategy and Structure, Strategy and leadership. Talking about strategic and operational planning. Talking about company structure. Listening to students’ presentation on different types of strategic alliances.

Creating collocations.

Listening: note-taking task.

April 17th18th20th

Topic 1Reflecting on Tutorials: students, in groups of three, are asked to recall10 words or principles that they remember about class.

Topic 2Video watching: The Basics of Business Education - What Business Students Should Study (2ndpart).

Students watch the video and take notes of concepts presented and detailed expressions. They watch the final part and reflect on different cultures and the different behaviours of reacting to professors’ teaching and interaction with students.

Topic 3Stand up and talk: (role play – professor/student) Ask questions to your professor about Business Education.

Tutorials Business Topics: Formal emails/letters.

Text completion: completing a business e-mail by providing missing words.

Writing a cover letter.

Students’ presentation of a SWOT analysis.

Listening: note-taking task.

April 24th 27th

TutorialsBusiness topic: Marketing – Product, Price, Place and Promotion. Describing products.

Business Topic: Discussions – Developing an argument. Talking about how to manage a discussion. Focus on linking words.

Students’ presentation on the 4 Ps.

Listening: multiple choice task.

May 2nd3rd 4th

Topic 1Video watching: The Basics of Business Education - What Business Students Should Study (3rdpart).

Topic 2Stand up and talk: (role play – simulation professor/student) Ask questions to your professor about Business Education.

Topic 3Video watching (sets of short videos):What’s an elevator pitch in a presentation

Extensive and intensive listening: searching for words and concepts.

Short definition

Topic 4Oral Presentation: How to present through a mind map, a poster or a business model canvas .

Tutorials Business Topics: The language of trend, graphs and figures. Understanding and describing graphs and figures. Understanding verbs of movement. Focus on synonyms, opposites and approximate figures.

Listening: note-taking task

May 8th9th11th

Topic 1Digital business discourse and Twitter

Seminar held by Othilia, visiting professor from Romania

TutorialsBusiness topics:Presentations: structure and key phrases.Getting ready for the written examination and wrap up: Focus on exam tasks. Group work

May 15th16th(RR)18th

Topic 1Stand up and Talk: share opinions on the seminar run by the visiting professor

Topic 2How to build an elevator pitch meaningfully (2nd part)

how to perfect an elevator pitch

what to do and what not to do

your personal brand (?)

Topic 2Oral Presentation: hints and suggestions, language for oral presentations, expressions students like to use.

How to present through a mind map, a poster or a business model canvas.

Tutorials Business Topics: Business and the environment. Identifying key words concepts.

May 22nd23rd 25th

Topic 1Stand up and talk: (group work, 3 students) students share their almost finalized ideas/projects with their friends and colleagues.

Topic 2International Students’ space

Listening, note-taking, questions from the group.

Topic 3Reflection timeand course wrap up: awareness of competences achieved. Re-assessing your language competences based on the Common European Framework (Council of Europe); Have you improved your competences in the English language? What should I still improve?

TutorialsBusiness topics: Working conditions, Your job, Job interview.

Getting ready for the written examination and wrap up: Focus on exam tasks. Group work

May 30th31stJune 1st

Topic 1 (to be finalized)A word and definition activity: Environmental economics. A student reads the definition of the word without mentioning the it. The other students guess what the word is. Then they read the definition and focus on key words.

Topic 2 (to be finalized)Video: The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes.

Students watch the video and take notes of key words and concepts. They share opinions with other students.

Value: Caring for the planet.

TutorialsHints on the written exam: format and activities. Exam simulation.

Further information and course requirements

Home Assignments and Autonomous Study which will enhance YOUR autonomy as a learner

For further practice visit and

We remind you that materials and facilities provided by the CLA are resources available to every student.