|
|
 |
LAW B237W
English Communication for Managers I
| Introduction |  |
Welcome to BUS B237W English Communication for Managers I.
BUS B237W English Communication for Managers I is a five-credit, middle-level course for students who wish to improve their ability to communicate effectively in English when performing managerial functions in an international business environment. The course aims to enhance your skills in communicating with a broad range of business audiences. The minimum exit English competency requirement for this course has been pitched at the level equivalent to band 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). BUS B237W focuses on sharpening your English reading and writing abilities, while the related course BUS B337W English Communication for Managers II focuses on English listening and speaking proficiency. The contents of the two courses assume that you are studying English as a foreign language, rather than a second or native language.
For those of you taking the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAC) in mainland China, successful completion of both BUS B237W and BUS B337W will satisfy the English competency requirement for you to enter the Qualification Programme (QP) of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA).
BUS B237W English Communication for Managers I will be presented fully online through the university's e-learning platform. All study units and the interactive exercises and tasks will be delivered through the Internet. You are advised to check the minimum technical requirements for this course in the 'Course materials' section of this Course Guide.
There are no prerequisites for this course.
| What this course helps you do | |
This Course Guide tells you briefly what the course is about and outlines the aims and learning outcomes of the course. It also gives you information about the course materials and how you can work your way through the materials. It suggests the amount of time you will need to spend to complete the course and the units. Finally, it gives you information about tutorial assistance and a general idea of when your tutor-marked assignments are due.
Course aims
This course is designed to assist you to develop your English reading and writing competence for managerial purposes. More specifically, it aims to help you:
Identify both explicit and implicit information and intentions of business texts.
Produce documents of major business genres including proposals and reports according to contextual needs.
Course learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
Develop a personal plan for enhancing your English communication competence for management.
Utilize a broad range of lexical resources for managerial purposes.
Apply suitable syntactic forms and discourse patterns for your communication objectives.
Explain complex business texts effectively.
Compose common business documents for effective achievement of your communication goals.
| Course materials | |
As BUS B237W is an online course, all the study units and most of the supplementary readings will be provided in the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You are required to have access to the Internet through a personal computer to take part in the e-learning activities. The following are the minimum requirements for this course:
a personal computer with a Pentium IV 1 GHz or more powerful CPU
128 MB RAM or above
20 MB hard disk or above
a broadband connection to the Internet
Windows XP or a newer version of the MS Windows platform
earphones and a microphone
a USB webcam (optional)
a printer connected to your computer for printing online course content (optional).
For further details, please refer to the following webpage:
http://ecentre.ouhk.edu.hk/aboutOnlineCourses/computerRequire.?
Software configuration
You should have the following software configuration to support e-learning:
Internet browser -- Internet Explorer 6.0 or above (or Firefox). If you use an older version of a browser, parts of webpages may not be displayed normally. Internet Explorer is recommended since there are some restrictions in Firefox, for example, certain e-learning functions may not work, including Rich Text (fonts and paragraph setting formats) in the discussion board. For Macintosh users, other browsers such as Firefox are recommended. The preinstalled browser, Safari, has not been tested thoroughly.
Some interactive activities require the plug-in for Flash Player 6.0 or above. If your browser does not have the plug-in, you will see a message indicating the URL where you can install it.
Anti-virus software
Computer viruses are a serious problem. In order to protect your computer, you are advised to install suitable anti-virus software. You should also periodically get the updates for your anti-virus software. The university has included a URL on Online Learning Environment (OLE) where free anti-virus software can be downloaded. Please note, however, that this free anti-virus software only offers limited anti-virus functions. Please refer to the main page of OLE for detailed information on anti-virus measures and the purchase of anti-virus software.
Online study units
There are five study units in BUS B237W English Communication for Managers I. Each unit consists of three or four weeks' worth of part-time work. The study units outline the learning objectives of each section, guide you through the topics, provide examples of language usage through case scenarios and provide self-tests and activities to reinforce your learning. The following table gives you an overview of the study units and each key topic, the time taken to complete each unit, and the assignments that assess the units.
Unit
Title
Study time (weeks)
Assignments
1 Personal plan and word power
4
?
2
Grammar and business discourse
4
Assignment 1
3
Workplace reading
4
?
4
Composing texts for managerial purposes
3
Assignment 2
5
Business writing techniques
3
?
Revision
2
?
Total
20
?
In addition to the online study units, you will be expected to make use of other materials from time to time as stipulated below.
Printed materials
Although you will not be provided with printed copies of the Course Guide and the five study units, PDF versions of the study units will be available on the website if you prefer a printable option.
Textbook
BUS B237W English Communication for Managers I has no set textbooks, but you are expected to have at least a good English language dictionary to assist your learning.
Supplementary readings
Additional readings will be incorporated in the study units. These readings are mainly from documents from the workplace and business magazines.
| Course assessment | |
BUS B237W English Communication for Managers I contains a variety of non-assessed activities which do not count towards the course grade. These non-assessed activities include self-tests and language tasks. The assessed activities that count towards the course grade are the tutor-marked assignments (TMAs), your participation in online discussion during the course and the final examination.
Tutor marked assignments
There are two tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) for the course. They are designed to test your mastery of the language skills covered in the course. Learning objectives and detailed instructions will be provided in assignment questions. Both assignments are required. This means that you have the opportunity to receive regular feedback and comments as you progress through the course.
TMA submission extension policy
The assignment policy of the university as stated in the Student Handbook should be observed. You are required to submit assignments for this course in accordance with the dates communicated by your course coordinator. You may apply for a submission extension?on the grounds of illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances.
Applications for extensions of up to seven days should be submitted to the tutor. The tutor shall consider valid and unexpected emergencies on an individual basis. Normally, documented proof of the extenuating circumstances is not required for extensions of up to seven days. The tutor shall decide and advise you of the revised date for submission.
For extensions of over seven days, you should note the following:
If you require an extension of more than seven days on the grounds of illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances, they are required to complete an 'Application Form for Assignment Extension over seven days' and submit it to the Course Coordinator.
Supporting documents must be submitted along with the application for extension of over seven days to justify the claim.
Applications for extension should normally be lodged before or on the due date.
Applications are considered by:
the Course Coordinator for extensions of 8 to 21 days; and
the Dean for extensions of over 21 days.
If the assignment is posted to the tutor, it is your responsibility to check that the assignment has successfully arrived (see Assignment File). Extension applications without supporting documents on the grounds of postal loss will not be accepted. The university cannot accept any responsibility for assignments that are not received by your tutor due to problems with the post. As a precaution, you are advised to keep a copy of each assignment you submit and obtain a certificate of posting from the post office when you post your assignment.
According to the university's policy, there is no extension of the due date for the final TMA.
Online discussion
You are encouraged to share your ideas relevant to any course concepts and any writing skills with other students through the online discussion board. Through such discussions, you may discuss issues and views in depth, clarify your understanding and learn from other students. Your participation in the discussion accounts for one-tenth of your course grade.
Examination
The final examination is a three-hour comprehensive examination that aims to test your knowledge of the course content and your ability to apply what you have learned to reading and writing for managerial purposes. The examination will be done in the pen-and-paper mode at a venue decided by the university.
It is imperative for you to review all course materials, including activities, self-tests, TMAs, and tutor comments, when studying for the final examination. Before the final examination, the OUHK will send you a sample examination so that you are accustomed to the style and format of the final examination. You will also be advised of examination arrangements.
Assessment summary
Assessment type
Marks
Assignments 1–2
40% (two assignments)
Online discussion
10%
Final examination
50%
TOTAL
100%
As specified in the Student Handbook, your final result in this course depends on your performance in both the continuous assessment (TMAs) and the examination. In order to pass the course, you need to pass both the continuous assessment and the examination. For more information on the university's policies on assignments and examinations, please refer to the section 'Assignments and examinations' in the OUHK Student Handbook.
| Tutors and online support | |
Tutors
Your tutor will mark and comment on your assignments, keep a close watch on your progress, provide advice on any difficulties you might encounter, and generally assist you during the course.
You will be notified of the name and contact details of your tutor as soon as you are allocated to a tutorial group (shortly after the start of the course).
Do not hesitate to contact your tutor if you need help. The following might be some typical circumstances in which you would find help necessary. Contact your tutor if:
You do not understand any part of the study units or the assigned readings.
You have any difficulty with the self-tests.
You have a question or problem with assignments, or with your tutor's comments on or grading of an assignment.
It is a good idea to keep copies of all TMAs you submit for reference during any telephone conversations with your tutor. Remember that TMAs should be submitted in accordance with the due dates indicated. Your tutor will mark and return them to you as soon as possible.
Online support
Five online lecture/tutorial sessions covering a total of 10 hours will be provided in support of BUS B237W English Communication for Managers I. Participation in these sessions is not compulsory but is strongly advised.
You can also submit your study problems and questions to your assigned tutor through email. You are also encouraged to use the discussion board in the OUHK's Online Learning Environment (OLE) to interact with your tutor as well as your fellow students. This channel provides flexibility to both tutors and students to disseminate the latest course information.
| Summary | |
BUS B237W English Communication for Managers I is a five-credit, middle-level course. It aims to enhance your English language competency and provide you with the skills you need to communicate confidently in English as a manager in a business environment.
The course will be presented online, where you will be provided with examples of English usage and given the opportunity to practice what you learn through activities and self-tests. You will make a plan for your own English language development based on your professional context, and the course will help you to solidify your understanding of English grammar while enhancing your skills in reading and business writing techniques. You will be assessed on your mastery of the course material through two tutor-marked assignments and a final examination. Throughout the course you will be supported online through a number of online lecture/tutorial sessions, the course discussion board and telephone/email contact with your tutor.
Good luck with your study of BUS B237W English Communication for Managers I!
| A note about the developer of this course | |
K C Li is an Associate Professor in the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration at the Open University of Hong Kong. He has served as Programme Leader for language study programmes and language teacher training programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has participated in the development of many English courses and has written a number of textbooks in relevant areas. He holds a PhD in business English and four Master's Degrees in management and language education areas. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Linguists.
| Deferment of studies | |
Click here and view Deferment of studies.
| About the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration | |
Click here and view the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration.
