English for International Business (5cr)

Objective

The student can:
• use and understand vocabulary and terminology related to working life and employment relations needed in an English-speaking working environment as employees or in managerial positions
• perform work-related routine tasks, main managerial tasks and carry out negotiations in routine and problem situations using the English language
• understand and use the terminology of financial administration, auditing and reporting in English to the extent that they are able to read related written materials and to participate in and follow discussions on these topics in the working environment and perform tasks included in their job descriptions
• perform tasks needed in starting export/import operations, choosing the operational mode of internationalisation and entering new markets
• understand the English terminology used in export/import documents, transport documents and in handling international business operations
• take care of related business communication face to face, by e-mail, fax, letter or over the phone
• deal with problem situations related to import and export operations and routine complaints regarding e.g. customer service, products or deliveries
• take cultural differences into account in business practices and intercultural communication

Content

• topics related to working life and employment relations (e.g. recruitment, employment contracts, job titles and job descriptions, pay, taxation, holiday entitlements, orientation training, quality, developmental discussions, trade union activities, occupational health and safety)
• topics and terminology related to the company’s finances (e.g. payroll accounting, invoicing, payments, insurance, banking, investments, cost accounting, pricing)
• data included in annual reports (e.g. financial statements documents, key figures, audit report)
• starting international operations and entering foreign markets and choosing the suitable operational mode of internationalisation with examples of different options
• export/import and transport documents and terminology related to invoicing, payments, collection, packing and dispatch, deliveries, forwarding and transport, confirmations, complaints and contracts
• advanced business communication needed in face-to-face negotiations and over the phone and in written communication by email, fax or letter
• solving problems and dealing with complaints, claims and adjustments
• issues related to cultural aspects and interactive communication in intercultural working environments

Qualifications

European Frame of Reference (CEF) level B2

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Class participation, assignment(s), oral/written exam(s)
The student's performance corresponds the learning outcomes
100-90 %: 5 (A Excellent)
89-80%: 4 (B Very good)
79-70%: 3 (C Good)
69-60%: 2 (D Satisfactory)
59-50%: 1 (E Sufficient)