ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS 2 Plus (ENGL 202P)

OVERVIEW

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on workplace communications, assuming the young professional has now entered the workforce in some manner. Students will role-play continuously during this course, with classes pairing best practices in business communication with practical experience through role play and improv as well as with spontaneous and planned presentations, projects, and problem solving. 

Students who complete the course will not only gain practical skills and experience in presentations, negotiation, meetings, and more, but will also improve their confidence, leadership, stress and time/project management, resiliency, adaptability, and creativity. They will also create a practical portfolio of professional communications collateral and participate in a project designed to further their behavioral competencies and give them real-life experiences with working professionals.

2. REASON FOR THE COURSE

Gaining practical experience and building up the confidence and skills to perform successfully as a young professional before entering the workforce can be challenging. Picking up where EB 1 leaves off, this course drops students into a partially-simulated, role-playing classroom where classes not only continue to build on developing soft skills, but provides them alongside the contextualization of practical application. With controlled activities such as role-play in nearly every class, students will rapidly improve their behavioral competencies such as emotional intelligence, customer service, resiliency, and adaptability, but also develop confidence in speaking up, leading, managing, managing up, navigating conflict or strained situations, negotiating, guiding behavior change, preparing and giving dynamic presentations, and more –all before actually entering the workforce. 

3. STUDY HOURS


4. ROLE IN CURRICULUM

Prerequisites: 
Students must have successfully completed English for Business 1 P.

SKILLS

  • LEARNING OUTCOMES
  • ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
  • TEACHING METHODS
  • STUDY PLAN
  • TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

5. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Knowledge Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Articulate Effective Vocabulary & Terminology (CK1)
Incorporate effective vocabulary and terminology used in formal business settings into dynamic written and spoken narratives		 Apply PK1
Cognitive Skills Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Create Business Communications Collateral (CC1)
Integrate professional English business communications collateral in business presentations, correspondence, and demonstrations.		 Create PC1
Communication, Information Technology, and Numerical Skills Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Communicate Professional Behavioral Competency (CCIT1)
Communicate competency in professional settings, such as events, conferences, and meetings.		 Apply CCIT3
Interpersonal Skills and Responsibilities Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Perform Business Interactions Effectively (CIP1)
Perform effectively in business interactions in English, such as networking events, meetings, public speaking, and negotiation		 Perform PIP3

6. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

Grades will be determined based on the following assessments and score allocations:

SKILL Assessment Skill Weighting for Grade
Participation Portfolio Controlled Activities Final Simulation
Articulate Effective Vocabulary & Terminology (CK1)   100%     30%
Create Business Communications Collateral (CC1) 100%       10%
Demonstrate Professional Behavioral Competency (CCIT1)     100%   25%
Perform Business Interactions Effectively (CIP1)       100% 35%

 

7. TEACHING METHODS

The course primarily uses role-play and improvisation, demonstrations, group discussion and problem solving, case studies, presentations, questions, and workshops. The class is frequently turned into a dynamic, interactive, safe-space for learning and growing and trying behaviors and attitudes out together as students spend time exploring, practicing, role-playing/enacting scenarios and subsequently, enhancing their soft skills and behavioral competencies for business communications. Students will also spend time in class workshopping scenarios as a group through discussion and role play.  

In place of tests and exams, students will produce a portfolio of communications collateral and complete a final simulation demonstrating what they have learnt:

Portfolio
Work Group: Groups of ~4-8
Output Format Suite of Data-Driven Narratives for Business Purposes
Language: English
Assignment: Students will collaboratively prepare a suite of business materials which they can use immediately or over the coming months. These materials include presentations, handouts, and correspondence – elements of which will also be incorporated into class role play scenarios/activities as well as the controlled activities. 
Scoring will be according to the Assignment Rubric.
Final Simulation:  Navigating Workplace Situations
Work Group:
Output format:
Language: English
Assignment: In process

8. STUDY PLAN

The course targets the 60 lessons in the study plan below. Each lesson is 1.5 class hours each; there are a total of 90 class hours.  The study plan below describes the learning outcome for each lesson, described in terms of what the student should be able to do at the end of the lesson.  Readings should be done by students as preparation before the start of each class. Implementation of this study plan may vary somewhat depending on the progress and needs of students.

 No Lesson Learning Outcomes Teaching (T), and Assessment (A) Methods
 1

Course Introduction: Welcome to the workplace! Part 1

  1. Distinguish between personal and organizational communications and scenarios (CIP1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Discussion (T, A)
2

Course Introduction: Welcome to the workplace! Part 2

  1. Distinguish between personal and organizational communications and scenarios (CIP1)v
 Kahoot (T, A), Discussion (T, A)
3

Course Introduction: Welcome to the workplace! Part 3

  1. Distinguish between personal and organizational communications and scenarios (CIP1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Discussion (T, A)
4

Negotiation Strategies Part 1

  1. Compare and contrast business negotiation strategies and techniques (CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T, A) Demonstration (T) Activity (T, A)
5

Negotiation Strategies Part 2

  1. Compare and contrast business negotiation strategies and techniques (CCIT1)
  2. Control verbal and nonverbal communication (CK1)
 Kahoot (T, A) Demonstration (T) Activity (T, A)
 6

Negotiation Strategies Part 3

  1. Understand driving and hidden forces in business negotiations (CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T, A)
Demonstration (T)
Activity (T, A)
7

Negotiation Strategies Part 4

  1. Understand driving and hidden forces in business negotiations (CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T, A) Demonstration (T) Activity (T, A)
8

Negotiation Scenarios Part 1

  1. Assess negotiation situations (CC1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Discussion (T, A) Case Study (T, A)
9

Negotiation Scenarios Part 2

  1. Assess negotiation situations (CC1) 
  2. Negotiate across business contexts (CC1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Discussion (T, A) Group problem solving (T, A)
10

Negotiation Scenarios Part 3

  1. Differentiate between negotiation techniques and motives and apply negotiation acumen for win-win results (CC1)
 Case Study (T, A) Roleplay (T, A)
11

Negotiation Scenarios Part 4

  1. Differentiate between negotiation techniques and motives and apply negotiation acumen for win-win results (CC1)
 Roleplay (T, A) Discussion (T, A)
12

Workshop

  1. Design a negotiation strategy and negotiate professionally
 Demonstration (T) Controlled Activity – Simulation(T, A) Discussion (T, A)
13

Customer service & successfully navigating workplace culture  Part 1

  1. Evaluate workplace culture and compare/contrast internal vs. external customer service (CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T) Demonstration (T) Roleplay (T, A)
14

Customer service & successfully navigating workplace culture  Part 2

  1. Evaluate workplace culture and compare/contrast internal vs. external customer service (CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T) Presentations (T, A)
15

Customer service & successfully navigating workplace culture  Part 3

  1. Evaluate workplace culture and compare/contrast internal vs. external customer service (CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T) Demonstration (T) Roleplay (T, A)
16

Customer service & successfully navigating workplace culture  Part 4

  1. Evaluate workplace culture and compare/contrast internal vs. external customer service (CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T) Demonstration (T) Roleplay (T, A)
17

Persuasion Techniques & Skills Part 1

  1. Understand persuasive speech and design a persuasive case for a business decision (CK1 & CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Discussion (T, A)
18

Persuasion Techniques & Skills Part 2

  1. Understand persuasive speech and design a persuasive case for a business decision (CK1 & CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Roleplay (T, A) Discussion (T, A)
19

Persuasion Techniques & Skills Part 3

  1. Understand persuasive speech and design a persuasive case for a business decision (CK1 & CCIT1)
 Presentations (T, A)
20

Persuasion Techniques & Skills Part 4

  1. Understand persuasive speech and design a persuasive case for a business decision (CK1 & CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Discussion (T, A)
 21

Creating Buy-In Part 2

  1. Successfully convince peers, executives, and colleagues to accept and implement a proposal (CIP1)
 Discussion (T, A) Group problem solving (T, A)
22

Creating Buy-In Part 2

  1. Successfully convince peers, executives, and colleagues to accept and implement a proposal (CIP1)
 Discussion (T, A) Roleplay (T, A)
23

Creating Buy-In Part 3

  1. Successfully convince peers, executives, and colleagues to accept and implement a proposal (CIP1)
 Presentations (T, A) Discussion (T, A)
24

Creating Buy-In Part 4

  1. Successfully convince peers, executives, and colleagues to accept and implement a proposal (CIP1)
 Discussion (T, A) Roleplay (T, A)
25

Workshop

  1. Role-play reframing situations to de-escalate rising or actual conflict (CIP1)
 Demonstration (T) Controlled Activity (T, A) Discussion (T, A)
26

How to handle difficult work situations Part 1

  1. Use diplomatic language, mindful tone, and other tools (CIP1)
 Kahoot (T, A) Discussion (T, A) Demonstration
27

How to handle difficult work situations Part 2

  1. Use diplomatic language, mindful tone, and other tools (CIP1)
 Kahoot (T, A) Problem Solving Activity & Role Play (T, A)
28

How to handle difficult work situations Part 3

  1. Use diplomatic language, mindful tone, and other tools (CIP1)
 Presentations (T, A) Discussion (T, A)
29

How to handle difficult work situations Part 4 

  1. Use diplomatic language, mindful tone, and other tools (CIP1)
 Kahoot (T, A) Discussion (T, A) Roleplay (T, A)
30

Something to declare: managing different opinions and asserting your own  Part 1

  1. Design data-driven/fact-based, persuasive or empathetic cases and statements (CK1, CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T) Demonstration (T) Roleplay (T, A)
31

Something to declare: managing different opinions and asserting your own Part 2

  1. Design data-driven/fact-based, persuasive or empathetic cases and statements (CK1, CCIT1)
 Presentations (T, A) Discussion (T)
32

Something to declare: managing different opinions and asserting your own Part 3

  1. Apply assertive language and fact-based statements (CIP1)
 Kahoot (T) Demonstration (T) Roleplay (T, A)
33

Something to declare: managing different opinions and asserting your own Part 4

  1. Apply assertive language and fact-based statements (CIP1)
 Kahoot (T) Demonstration (T) Roleplay (T, A)
34

Managing up, handling difficult clients/bosses/executives or workplace bullies  Part 1

  1. Distinguish between kinds of conflict and appropriate next-steps (CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Presentations (T, A) Discussion (T, A)
35

Managing up, handling difficult clients/bosses/executives or workplace bullies  Part 2

  1. Distinguish between kinds of conflict and appropriate next-steps (CCIT1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Discussion (T, A) Group problem solving (T, A)
36

Managing up, handling difficult clients/bosses/executives or workplace bullies Part 3

  1. Use ICT to reduce or mitigate conflict (CC1, CIP1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Discussion (T, A) Group problem solving (T, A) Kahoot (T, A), Discussion (T, A)/ Activity (T, A)
37

Managing up, handling difficult clients/bosses/executives or workplace bullies  Part 3

  1. Use ICT to reduce or mitigate conflict (CC1, CIP1)
 Kahoot (T, A), Demonstration (T) Group problem solving (T, A)
38

 Workshop

  1. Role-play workplace scenarios with appropriate responses to character needs/situations (CIP1)
 Demonstration (T) Controlled Activity( T, A) Discussion (T, A)
39

The art of conversation and calls to action Part 1

  1. Prepare relevant topics of conversation (CCIT1)
 Discussion (T, A) Group problem solving (T, A) Roleplay/Activity (T, A)
40

The art of conversation and calls to action Part 2

  1. Prepare relevant topics of conversation (CCIT1)
 Discussion (T, A) Demonstration (T, A) Presentations (T, A)
41

The art of conversation and calls to action Part 3

  1. Perform a lengthy and meaningful professional conversation with a persuasive CTA (CIP1)
 Discussion (T, A) Roleplay/Activity (T, A)
42

The art of conversation and calls to action Part 4

  1. Perform a lengthy and meaningful professional conversation with a persuasive CTA (CIP1)
 Discussion (T, A) Roleplay/Activity (T, A)
43

Leading meetings, leaning in, and asking questions Part 1

  1. Design a meeting agenda (CIP1)
 Discussion (T, A) Demonstration (T) Activity (T, A)
44

Leading meetings, leaning in, and asking questions Part 2

  1. Design and execute a meeting agenda (CIP1)
 Presentations (T, A) Discussion (T, A)
45

Leading meetings, leaning in, and asking questions  Part 3

  1. Prepare questions to ask and answers to provide (CK1)
 Discussion (T, A) Demonstration (T) Activity (T, A)
46

Leading meetings, leaning in, and asking questions Part 4

  1. Prepare questions to ask and answers to provide (CK1)
 Discussion (T, A) Demonstration (T) Simulation (T, A)
47

Meeting preparation, materials, and follow-up Part 1

  1. Create compelling materials for business meetings (CC1)
 Kahoot (T, A) Demonstration (T) Activity (T, A
48

Meeting preparation, materials, and follow-up Part 2

  1. Create compelling materials for business meetings (CC1)
 Discussion (T, A) Group problem solving (T, A)
49

Meeting preparation, materials, and follow-up Part 3

  1. Craft strategic follow-up messages (CK1)
 Discussion (T, A) Demonstration (T) Workshop (T, A)
50

Meeting preparation, materials, and follow-up Part 4

  1. Craft strategic follow-up messages (CK1)
 Discussion (T, A) Demonstration (T) Activity (T, A)
51

Negotiating projects and ideas – simulation Part 1

  1. Determine the key points of a negotiation and prepare relevant facts and/or infographics (CK1)v
 Discussion (T, A) Demonstration (T) Role-play/activity (T, A)
52

Negotiating projects and ideas – simulation  Part 2

  1. Determine the key points of a negotiation and prepare relevant facts and/or infographics (CK1)
 Group problem solving (T,A) Role-play/activity (T, A)
53

Negotiating projects and ideas – simulation  Part 3

  1. Negotiate using the prepared points and materials (CIP1)
 Discussion (T, A) Group problem solving (T) Role-play/activity (T, A)
54

Negotiating projects and ideas  – simulation Part 4

  1. Negotiate using the prepared points and materials (CIP1)
 Role-play/activity (T, A) Discussion (T, A)
55

Understanding your audience and presenting what matters Part 1

  1. Differentiate between valid information and vital/relevant information (CK1, CCIT1)
 Discussion (T, A) Demonstration (T) Activity (T, A)
56

Understanding your audience and presenting what matters Part 2

  1. Differentiate between valid information and vital/relevant information (CK1, CCIT1)
 Discussion (T, A) Group problem solving/Activity(T, A)
57

Understanding your audience and presenting what matters Part 3

  1. Create a compelling and dynamic financial presentation for a BOD (CC1)
 Discussion (T, A) Demonstration (T) Workshop (T, A)
58

Workshop – Simulation

  1. Execute a board or committee meeting (CC1, CCIT1, CIP1)
 Roleplay (Controlled Activity)( T, A) Discussion (T, A)
59

Final Showcase 1

  1. Produce a product that showcases the skills developed (​​CK1, CC1, CCIT1, CIP1)
 Presentation/Activity (A) Discussion (T, A)
60

Final Showcase 2

  1. Produce a product that showcases the skills developed (​​CK1, CC1, CCIT1, CIP1)
 Presentation/Activity (A) Discussion (T, A)
TOTAL HOURS: 90 HOURS

 

9. TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

Textbook

There is no specific textbook for this class, but students may reference the materials
below and handouts from class

References

  1. Cengage Learning, Essentials of Business Communication, Mary Ellen Guffey and Dana Loewy, Tenth Edition
  2. CamEd Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interview Tips Handbook (2024 Edition)
  3. Macmillan Education 2013, The Business B2 Upper Intermediate, Frances Watkins and Paul Emmerson with Mike Sayer, First edition published 2008.
  4. Macmillan Education 2013, The Business C1 Advanced, John Allison, Rachel Appleby and Edward de Chazal, First edition published 2013.

Education Resources