Advanced Business English I - Honors Class

Transcription

1 Advanced Business English I - Honors Class Advanced Business English I is for second-year students in the economics course. Its overall purpose is to raise the ability of students in all four basic English language skill areas, speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This course seeks to increase students' knowledge of English vocabulary, both individual words and longer phrases and patterns that are often used in a business or economics context. The goal is for students to go beyond merely identifying correct answers from among a selection, and to actively build the confidence to use English effectively when they have the chance to speak or write it. In order to acquire this productive ability, there will be many chances for the students to practice speaking English in the classroom, and two speaking tests are planned. Some writing practice is provided. For listening and reading, in addition to regular classroom work, classes will occasionally be conducted in the computer lab. Having some command of English is an advantage for people in many types of work around the world. The primary aim of this course is to help students to improve their overall English ability and to use the language effectively; secondarily, the aim is to help students to improve their knowlege of specific vocabulary and expressions used in the context of business and economics. Beyond work-related purposes, students will have gained more confidence in speaking to others in international social settings as well. Tests and assignments will be given to measure how well students have mastered the vocabulary, sentence patterns, and other material presented in lectures and in the textbook. The best way for students to prepare for these tests is to come to class very regularly, to study the assigned pages in the book, and to complete each homework assignment. Some of the tests and assignments may require students to use English actively, through speaking or writing. Class attendance is important for such activities in particular, so that students will know what to do on the days they will occur. The teacher proceeds through the course at a suitable pace. This pace should be measured enough to allow the students who may be weaker in English enough time to learn the material, while stimulating enough to challenge the students who may be stronger in English.

2 Business Explorer 3, by Gareth Knight and Mark O'Neil, Cambridge University Press, ISBN The teacher will be happy to give advice to students who may be interested in English books and articles that may be found in the library, in the LRR, and on the Internet. Students should also access the ALC Net Academy software in the computer labs, to improve reading and listening in English: ALC can be used for independent study as well as for formal classwork. Students who are interested in taking standardized English proficiency tests (for example, TOEFL, TOEIC, STEP, or G-TELP) can find practice materials in the LRR (Language Resource Room). The teacher will be glad to give advice - and when possible to help administer, grade, and comment upon practice tests - if students have an interest in these materials. Class performance = 50%. This includes homework, in-class assignments, participation, listening and speaking activities, and computer lab activities. Tests = 50%. This includes the midterm and final exams, two speaking tests, short quizzes, and CALL worksheets. In principle: A = % B = 79-70% C = 69-60% D = 59-50% F = < 50% Students should come to every class, hand in every homework assignment, and discuss things with the teacher. (For example, tell the teacher if you must be absent, and tell the teacher if you are having any problems at all in the class.)

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