ENGLISH FOR CORPORATE COMMUNICATION
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Upper-Intermediate Level (B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – CEFR).
The students’ knowledge will be assessed through a final level B2 written and oral test that will take place on the same day. It is necessary to pass the written test to access the oral part.
1. The computer-based written test lasts 40 minutes and consists in 60 (multiple choice or fill-in-the-gap) questions on Modules A and B.
The final mark is calculated out of 30. Pass mark is 18, which will allow students to access the oral part of the exam. If it is less than 18, the test is not passed and students will have to take the exam again during the following session.
2. Oral test - students make a company presentation according to the instructions in module B.
The final mark is calculated out of 30. Pass mark is 18. If it is less than 18, the exam is not passed and students will have to take the oral exam again. After passing the oral exam, the final mark will be added to that of the written test, which will result in a final, average mark.
The course aims to develop and strengthen students’ communicative competences in corporate and institutional settings by providing a theoretical understanding of the core principles of business communication and enhancing their ability to convey messages effectively and strategically in professional contexts. In particular, the course focuses on consolidating the language skills required for written production in English, with reference to key text types used in business communication (such as formal emails, press releases, and short reports), promoting the appropriate use of grammatical structures and specialised vocabulary. By the end of the course, students will be expected to demonstrate: – lexical and grammatical competence at B2+/C1 level in the domain of professional English for corporate communication; – the ability to read, understand, and analyse authentic texts from institutional and business contexts; – the ability to produce clear, coherent, and purpose-oriented written texts in English; – increased awareness of effective communicative strategies, also transferable to written production in their native language. The course also contributes to the development of critical awareness in evaluating linguistic registers and stylistic choices according to context and communicative goals (Dublin Descriptor 3), as well as to the ability to communicate content clearly and effectively in a foreign language (Dublin Descriptor 4). Furthermore, it fosters autonomy in learning and encourages ongoing improvement of acquired competences (Dublin Descriptor 5).
The course is divided into the following modules:
A) Business vocabulary
1. The human dimension;
2. Quality;
3. Competitive strategy;
4. Marketing;
5. Logistics;
6. The Internet;
7. Company finance;
8. Corporate responsibility;
9. The global economy.
B) Business communication skills:
1. Information exchange
- Discussing corporate events;
- Describing attitudes;
- build rapport.
2. Cultural differences:
- voice and visuals;
- phone calls;
- leading meetings.
3. Presentations;
- promoting ideas;
- questionnaires;
- making decisions.
4. Pitching techniques:
- emailing;
- presentations openings;
- business travel.
5. Teleconferencing:
- facilities;
- negotiating;
- mediating.
Teaching is based on frontal lessons, in which the teacher shows the contents of the course. Students are required to participate actively through exercises, readings, writing exercises, conversation and mock tests with guided correction.
Students are required to complete a compulsory course of exercises on the online platform.
Office hours upon appointment via email: daniel.russo@uninsubria.it