Office English Course

SUMMARY

Title: Office English

Entry requirement: High Intermediate level English

Use or plan to use English in workplace and/or take TOEIC test.

Accreditation: Certificate in Office English Skills “A”, “B” or “Pass””

Course length: 6 weeks

Course hours:

Monday – Thursday

13.30 - 15.30,  1 hour computer lab homework

Cost: $960

Course Assessment: Continuous assessment of coursework

Submission of written document portfolio

Oral presentation

SYLLABUS OVERVIEW

• Workplace vocabulary, including common vocabulary in the modern office.

• CV preparation, job applications and interviews

• Common language patterns in the workplace

• Protocol and business culture, including differences international cultural differences and making conversation in a business environment.

• Written communication including use of e-mail, fax and standard business letters

• Telephoning skills – listening, speaking, vocabulary and intonation

• Conducting meetings and negotiations, including arguing, agreeing and disagreeing.

• Reports and letters, including use of formal written English (MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint)

• Reading articles from the business press, other business texts, charts and graphs.

• Making and preparing successful presentations, including research techniques, use of notes, gaining and holding audience attention.

• Networking, including business hospitality and socialising in a business environment.

• Travel, including making hotel and flight reservations.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1

By the end of week 1 you will be able to:

• understand globalisation and the importance of English in the international business world;

• identify the power structures of corporations and corporate hierarchy;

• give basic information on companies, greet new colleagues and superiors, know how to ask for and where to seek information in a new workplace;

• give information about yourself including personal details, contact details, etc.;

• use appropriate language for making appointments, arranging meetings and contacting colleagues and clients using a telephone system; and

• send appropriately formatted emails, including use of informal / internal and formal / external language.

Week 2

By the end of week 2 you will be able to:

• organise a formal meeting including deciding the date, correct invitees, sending invitations and relevant documentation (agenda, minutes of last meeting, any other preparation documents);

• use appropriate language and methods to communicate and arrange meetings;

• send faxes to inform or ask for information and

• write a curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter.

Week 3

By the end of week 3 you will be able to:

• use telephones to communicate effectively with a client;

• identify the key techniques used in brand management and advertising;

• use appropriate research methods to prepare projects and presentations;

• write and present a marketing presentation on a business or product of your choice;

• prepare and deliver a presentation for a meeting;

• identify and use appropriate style and language for formal business correspondence and

• understand and interpret statistical information in a graphic format.

Week 4

By the end of week 4 you will be able to:

• understand the principals of effective report writing

• write a report using appropriate language and format;

• use telephones effectively in everyday business situations;

• analyse and prioritise documents in a business environment;

• negotiate effectively in English and

• prepare effectively for a job interview.

Week 5

By the end of week 5 you will be able to:

• research and prepare a business report;

• participate in and chair a meeting;

• identify cultural differences in business practices;

• socialise in a business environment;

• understand the importance of work-life balance in your profession; and

• further practice your negotiating skills.

Week 6

By the end of week 6 you will be able to:

• submit a complete business report;

• use fax and emails effectively for appropriate business/office situations;

• correctly analyse and interpret documents for priority;

• take minutes during a meeting;

• interview a candidate for a job vacancy; and

• deliver a presentation.

RESOURCES

Case studies: Texts from Market Leader and Business Opportunities Course Books.

Vocabulary: Business Language in Use.

Websites: BBC, Financial Times, Newsweek, Time, CNN, New Zealand Herald, yahoo business.

Practical Homework: Watch/listen to the news, read NZ Herald.