Objective
This subject aims to develop those English language skills required by the students to communicate effectively in their future professional careers.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the subject, students are expected to be able to use appropriate language and text structure to:

• interact effectively in an English job interview
• write business correspondence
• write short reports
• participate effectively in workplace discussions

Subject Description
The subject is designed to introduce students to the kinds of communication skills both oral and written that they may be expected to need in their future professions. These skills will be necessary for successful employment in any company/organisation where internal and/or external communication is conducted in English.

The study method is primarily based on seminars. These will include discussions, role-play, individual and group activities. Use will be made of video and tape recordings, library research, and our Centre for Independent Language Learning.

Specially prepared material from the English Language Centre will be used throughout the course. In addition, lecturers will recommend additional reference materials as required.

Administrative details

Syllabus
This syllabus is indicative. The balance of components, and the weighting accorded to each, will be based on the specific needs of the students.

1. Language appropriacy:
   Introducing notions of context-sensitive language use in both spoken and written English.
   
   
2. Seeking and supplying information:
   Practice in the oral skills required in fact-finding and job-seeking interviews, problem-solving negotiations, and conducting questionnaire surveys.
   
   
3. Workplace writing:
   Selecting and using relevant content; appropriate style and format, structure and layout in correspondence and documents such as letters, emails, reports, notices for public display and questionnaires
4. Language development:
   Improving and extending relevant features of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

References for students
General

Ashley, A. (1992) A handbook of commercial correspondence. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Baugh, L. S., Fryar, M. & Thomas, D. A. (1995). How to write first-class business correspondence. Illinois: NTC Publishing Group.

Bilbow, G. T. (2004). Business writing for Hong Kong. 3th ed. Hong Kong: Longman.

Guffey, M. E. (2004). Essentials of business communication. 6th ed. Mason, OH: South-Western College Pub.

Lehman, C. M. & DuFrene, D. D. (1999). Business communication. 14th ed. Mason, OH: Thomson/South-Western.

Murphy, H. A. & Hilderbrandt, H. W. (1997). Effective business communications. 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.

Grammar, vocabulary and style

Mascull, B. (2002). Business vocabulary in use: Intermediate. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.