The Business Communication 3-month Diploma Program is designed for students wishing to enlarge their knowledge of the business world, develop communication skills necessary to succeed in business, and increase their career prospects.
The Program consists of two components: International Business Communications Course (IBCC) and an Intensive Business Talk Course (IBTC). The certificate option is available for students who are registered part-time and/or for one/two terms only.
IBCC
The required textbook for this course is Market Leader (new edition) by David Cotton, David Falvey, Simon Kent.
The students participate in many activities linked to a variety of business topics.
Each unit is organized to meet a variety of communication goals:
- Improving language fluency through discussions;
- Enriching business vocabulary;
- Improving reading comprehension
skills through reading authentic article from a variety of business magazines and newspapers;
- Improving listening skills through authentic interviews with business people from around the world;
- Improving language accuracy through reviewing common Grammar problem areas;
- Developing essential business skills, i.e. negotiating, telephoning, conflict resolution, etc.
- Learning a variety of business document formats (letters, reports, memos, etc. and improving business writing style;
Program Structure
The program consists of 16 topics for 3 months. We can intake new students every month and each week students participate in the following activities:
Discussions / Reading / Listening / Speaking / Cultural / Case studies / Writing
Covered Topics
1. Globalization |
2. Brands |
| - Discussion Topic : Discuss ideas about globalization - Reading : The advantages and disadvantages of globalization newspaper article - Listening : The dangers and benefits of globalization - Speaking : Describe ways of entering new markets - Cultural : Managing telephone calls - Case study : Solve problems of a global company - Writing : Memos |
- Discussion Topic : Talking about brands - Reading : Piracy newspaper article - Listening : An interview with a marketing specialist - Speaking : Discuss authentic product promotions - Cultural : Taking part in meetings, solving problems of leading brands - Case study : Solve problems of a leading brand - Writing : Memos |
3. Travel |
4. Advertising |
| - Discussion Topic : Describe likes and dislikes about traveling - Reading : Promotional materials and newspaper articles - Listening : An interview with a customer service trainer - Speaking : The difference between British English and American travel words - Cultural : Making arrangements on the telephone - Case study : Make arrangements for participants - Writing : E-mail |
- Discussion Topic : Discuss authentic advertisements - Reading : Outdoor advertising newspaper article - Listening : An interview with a marketing manager - Speaking : Vocabulary and expressions for talking about advertising, starting presentations - Cultural : Good and bad advertising practices - Case study : Creating and presenting an advertising campaign - Writing : Summaries |
5. Employment |
6. Trade |
| - Discussion Topic : Choose the most important qualities for job candidates - Reading :A newspaper article on how to select the best candidates newspaper article - Listening : An interview with an experienced job interviewer - Speaking : Vocabulary to describe personal character - Cultural : Meeting management - Case study : Choose the best candidate for the job of General Manager - Writing : Promotional leaflet |
- Discussion Topic : Imported and exported goods - Reading : Letter of credit - Listening : An interview with an expert on negotiating - Speaking : Vocabulary for talking about International trade - Cultural : Negotiation styles - Case study : Negotiate a deal with an overseas manufacturer - Writing : Faxes |
7. Innovation |
8. Organization |
| - Discussion Topic : Discuss inventors, inventions and innovations - Reading :A newspaper article on innovation and the market - Listening : An interview with an expert on presentations - Speaking : Vocabulary to describe inventions - Cultural : Presentation skills - Case study : Creating a design for an international company - Writing : A news article |
- Discussion Topic : Ranking status symbols in order of importance - Reading :A newspaper article on flexibility in the workplace newspaper article - Listening : An interview with a project manager - Speaking : Vocabulary to describe types of companies - Cultural : Socializing - Case study : Reorganize the structure, layout and working practices of a company - Writing : Reports |
9. Money |
10. Ethics |
| - Discussion Topic : Discuss attitudes towards money - Reading : Stock market speculations - Listening : An interview with a bank director - Speaking : Describe trends - Cultural : Dealing with figures - Case study : Raise money to finance a new invention - Writing : Reports |
- Discussion Topic : Discuss ethics at work - Reading : Corruption newspaper article - Listening : An interview with a senior manager - Speaking : Ranking a list of ethical and unethical activities - Cultural : Narrating and problem solving - Case study : Decide whether someone has acted ethically and taking appropriate action - Writing : Letters |
11. Change |
12. Strategy |
| - Discussion Topic : Discuss attitudes towards change, ranking stressful situations - Reading : A CEO s views on manage change - Listening : An interview with an independent management consultant - Speaking : Vocabulary for describing and reporting about meetings - Cultural : Holding meetings - Case study : Agree on changes in a company that has been taken over - Writing : Action minutes |
- Discussion Topic : Define strategies and who should be involved in setting strategies - Reading : The advantages and disadvantages of a merger - Listening : An interview with the head of a worldwide organization - Speaking : Vocabulary for talking about business strategies - Cultural : Analyzing the decision making process - Case study : Determine strategies to save a failing company - Writing : Press release |
13. Cultures |
14. Leadership |
| - Discussion Topic : Discuss the importance of cultural awareness in business - Reading : A newspaper article doing business across cultures - Listening : An interview with an expert on cultural awareness - Speaking : Social English - Cultural : Social / cultural differences - Case study : Plan a visit by an overseas manufacturer Writing: Faxes |
Discussion Topic : Discuss the qualities of good leadership Reading : Profile of a leading chief executive Listening : An interview with a leading chief executive Speaking : Vocabulary to describe people s character Cultural : Team leadership Case study : Discuss ideas to save a failing retailer Writing : Letters |
15. Competition |
16. Quality |
| - Discussion Topic : Discuss competitiveness - Reading : Strategies to gain a competitive advantage - Listening : An interview with a senior executive about competition - Speaking : Vocabulary for talking about competition - Cultural : Negotiation skills - Case study : Design a new competitive strategy for a business - Writing : Reports |
- Discussion Topic : Discuss different ways of measuring quality - Reading : A newspaper article new style quality - Listening : Two interviews about defective products - Speaking : Vocabulary for talking about quality control and customer service - Cultural : Complaining - Case study : Determine an action plan to handle complaints - Writing : Memos |
Program Start Date
New intake every month
Admission Requirements
TOEIC Score >700, TOEFL Score >530 (CBT>197, IBT>71), WTC Placement Test Level 7 or Completion of WTC Level 6
Practicum
A 1 month optional Business Practicum is available to students who fulfill the course requirements and pass an interview.
