Course description

Title of the Teaching Unit

English - Corporate communication skills and socio-economic issues - Bilingual program

Code of the Teaching Unit

11ULG14

Academic year

2024 - 2025

Cycle

Number of credits

Number of hours

Quarter

1-2

Weighting

Site

Montgomery

Teaching language

English

Teacher in charge

Borremans Stéphanie

Objectives and contribution to the program

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The objective is to equip management students in a fast-changing world with a set of skills and tools that will enable them to perform at academic level and be life-long learners, and which stand central to ICHEC. The course also focuses on corporate communication, socio-economic skills and the English language.

This English course is designed for students following the bilingual Bachelor in Business Management and aims at activating the language and various topics covered in the other courses taught in English (Management, Marketing and Political Economics). It is also closely linked to the Methodology seminar (AIP).

English courses at ICHEC aim at making students fully operational in English and increasing the possibility of international exchanges during their studies as well as their employability on a local and international fast-changing job market.

The following skills are developed:
o Language and communication skills (based on ICHEC communication skills)
6.1 Dare to express his/her ideas clearly, concisely, fluently, completely, argumentatively and assertively in several languages.
6.2 By adapting his/her oral communication to different contexts and their specific codes, as well as to the people he/she is speaking to, while actively listening.
6.3 By producing clear, structured written communication adapted to the specific characteristics of the person with whom he/she is communicating (language, culture, function, etc.), making appropriate use of digital tools.
6.4 By being able to debate, negotiate and convince in accordance with professional and organisational codes, while respecting the diversity of participants and using the appropriate tools.

o Critical thinking (based on ICHEC Critical thinking skills)
2.2 By questioning the reliability, quality and legitimacy of sources, including artificial intelligence products.
2.5 By questioning established frameworks and models, comparing and contrasting them with the reality on the ground, using an interdisciplinary and multi-faceted approach.

o Collaboration (based on ICHEC Collaboration skills)
7.1 By adopting an attitude of active listening and benevolence conducive to successful integration into a team.
7.2. By establishing the key guidelines necessary for a constructive, motivating and inclusive team dynamic and operating style.
By guiding students through the use of technology and the use of digital collaboration tools.

o Digital skills
By adopting a reflective approach to the use of technology, taking a step back
By the critical integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and learning activities
By equipping students with digital communication and collaboration tools

LEARNING GOALS
Learning outcomes in terms of knowledge
At the end of the course, students will be able to use with ease and fluency orally and in writing:

-the vocabulary developed in a corporate and socio-economic context. This is linked to the life of a company and to economic, political and cultural news. It will also be linked to the other courses taught in English: Management, Marketing, Political Economics and the Methodology seminar.

-the grammar corresponding to level B2 from the European framework designed by the Council of Europe.

Learning outcomes in terms of skills. This includes the professional skills from the: «COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF) – BUSINESS SKILLS ».

At the end of the course, students should be able to:
-language skills:
*(speaking): present a corporate or socio-economic topic, debate, give their opinion and develop their argumentation, convince, give feedback (about a presentation), take part in a conversation in which people don’t adapt for non-native speakers. Use appropriate communication tools.

*(listening): identify essential information from an oral source (News, conference, …) and report its content into (correct) English

*(reading): read, understand, summarize (orally and in writing) a text from the press (generic, specialized, business) and research articles linked to management and marketing. Respect copyright and citation rules.

*(writing): write well-structured and clear essays and reports, e-mails (in an academic or professional context), use connectives and guiding language to structure, take notes from a written or oral source, a presentation.

The skills listed below will contribute to a successful completion of the course:
-soft skills
-thinking and critical thinking skills
-digital skills
-collaboration skills
-...

Prerequisites and corequisites

Prerequisites:
Students should be comfortable with a B2 English level of the European Common Framework for Languages of the Council of Europe.

Level of the course:
At the end of the course, students should have reached a B2 level (from the Common European Framework) for speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary. The B2 skills and knowledge will have to be extended to the fields of corporate communication, socio-economic issues, management, marketing and political economics.

Content

TEACHING METHOD AND PEDAGOGICAL SUPPORT

This course consists of two parts:

A/ The interactive course (2 hours/week with your TP)
B/ The “remediation” course
1. grammar refresher course (self-study programme + follow-up and reinforcement at Ichec or online) - Q1 (first term)
2. soft skills workshop - Q2 (second term)

A/ Interactive course: (2 hours/week in class)

The interactive class takes place two hours per week.

Chapters covered in Q1:
1- Start with you: motivation and leadership
2- New tech
3- Reading & summing-up strategies
4- Critical thinking and cognitive bias
5- Company and brand presentations
In collaboration with the management course, the students will produce a group video on the theme “What makes a good leader?”.

Chapters covered in Q2:
6- Academic writing
7- Corporate communication
8- Going green: sustainability

- A grammar revision program is to be carried out as self-study, with follow-up and reinforcement in class. A test will be organized by the end of the first term for all students: no exemptions.
- The vocabulary will be extended to socio-economic themes, based on the sources seen in the course as well as the book Advanced Business Vocabulary in Use.
The face-to-face course is the keystone of the program. The student must actively attend to take part in a set of oral communication exercises.

Students will be first exposed passively to the vocabulary corpus and will activate it through interactive activities (speaking, reading, writing, reading), following a spiral pattern. The scope of discussions and vocabulary will be extended to the fields of management, marketing and political economics. Extracts of the textbooks (and extra topics of these three subjects) may be referred to throughout the course. Strategies and skills developed are closely linked to the Methodology Seminar (AIP) from Management and Marketing.

Vocabulary (self-study):
Vocabulary enrichment is a keystone of the bilingual program and is part of the self-study programme. Vocab from courses Political economics, Management and Marketing fields will be dealt with. You should be able to use all vocabulary words from the different sources covered in class (all activities in lessons), listening, texts and the book Business Vocab in Use: Advanced. The book is available at the SIC and is also used in the second year.
Mascull, B. (2017) Business Vocabulary In Use: Advanced. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. (Available at the SIC)

To support students in their mastery of the language, particularly for vocabulary and grammar, a (compulsory) continuous formative evaluation programme is available on Moodle. All the information, deadlines, contents to cover are detailed on the Moodle platform of the course. This includes vocabulary from all sources of the course (see above), as well all items covered in the grammar refresher course.

In this course, artificial intelligence is likely to be used as an assistant to generate ideas, to search for information (search engine type), as an assistant to organise or revise a production, to partially (or completely) elaborate a production. AI can also be used to write content or conduct an analysis. It can also be used as a learning assistant. Make sure you use AI transparently and critically and produce original, personal ideas. You must comply with citation rules regarding the use of AI.

B/ ‘Remediation’ course

- Grammar refresher course
The detail of the grammar revision program is to be found on Moodle
Resources: Documents posted on Moodle, the textbooks, MyGrammarLab (Pearson), Wallangues.

In addition to the standard class, students will need to revise the B2-level grammar via a self-study program on MyGrammarlab (access to the platform available at SIC). Some follow-up and reinforcement sessions will be organized in class. The self-study program and all other necessary information will be given in class and/or posted on Moodle.

- Soft skills workshop
This workshop (second term) focuses on non-verbal communication, active speaking and listening activities. Participation is not compulsory but is strongly encouraged. It will also put the emphasis on a tool called the Message map, which enables you to present your idea concisely and convincingly, so that your message or product – no matter what it is – can reach the stars. Students will be working individually, with partners or in small groups.
Organisation for the workshops:
- The face-to-face course takes place every two weeks, at the scheduled time. The breakdown of groups can be found on Moodle.
- Face-to-face classes are "surrounded" by a vast online program.
- Registration for each session on Moodle (15 students per time slot).
- Depending on the sanitary conditions, the face-to-face program may switch to Teams.

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

- Attendance is compulsory.

- If you were absent for a test without any certificate, your mark will be zero for that test. If you were absent for a test with a medical certificate, please hand it in as soon as possible to the secretariat AND to your teacher.

Teaching methods

Assessment method

ASSESSMENT
• Formative evaluation (speaking skills, written and oral expression, vocabulary) throughout the year.

• Summative evaluation : Oral 55/100, Written 45/100

Q1
- Grammar test /15
- Oral exam (in groups) January /20

Q2
- Written exam June /30
- Video project “What makes a good leader?”
/5
- Oral exam (in groups) June /30

Q1+Q2
/100

-To succeed, students will have to demonstrate a sufficient mastery of BOTH written and oral skills, and to comply with the required B2 level of the European Framework for Languages defined by the Council of Europe. Moreover, students will have to demonstrate the appropriate business skills from the European Framework (see above).

-The final grade will be given ONLY IF students have completed both the oral and written exams.

-To progress throughout the year, students are encouraged to participate actively in the Interactive class. This oral participation is also taken into account in the evaluation.

-The assessment procedures may vary from one exam session to the other.
Students may be evaluated by other language teachers in order to make grading as objective as possible. Evaluations may take place at ICHEC or online, depending on the circumstances.

-Closely follow the instructions provided in the context of each evaluation regarding the use of artificial intelligence. AI may be allowed or strictly forbidden (ex: written exam).
Each time you use AI, make sure you use it transparently and critically and produce original, personal ideas.

Remark: A student may record or film a course with prior agreement of the teaching staff but mustn’t post those recordings on the Internet and, more specifically, social networks.

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bailey, S. (2018). Academic Writing. A handbook for international students. London and New York: Routledge.

Kotler, P., Keller, K. (2016). Marketing Management. Harlow: Pearson.

Kotler P. , Armstrong G. , Harris L. and He (H). (2019) Principles of Marketing. 8th European Edition. Pearson.
Jones-Macziola, S. (1999) Further Ahead. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Lussier, R. N. (2020). Management fundamentals: Concepts, applications, and skill development. SAGE Publications.
Mascull, B. (2017) Business Vocabulary In Use: Advanced. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.

Murphy, R. (2004). English Grammar In Use, Third Edition, Cambridge University Press.

Paquet, G., Bawin, I., Schrooten, V., et Wattier, S. (2024). Séminaire de méthodologie et d’initiation à la démarche scientifique. (Syllabus en ligne) . ICHEC. https://moodle.ichec.be

McCarthy, M. & O’Dell, F. (2016). Academic Vocabulary in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Robbins, S., Coulter, M. (2018). Management. Harlow: Pearson.

Wadsö-Lecaros, C. (2016) Academic writing: Structuring paragraphs – MOOC, Lund University. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa2btnwJqzs

The CORE project. The Economy. Retrieved from https://core-econ.org/the-economy/book/text/0-3-contents.html

The Language Team (2020-21) Syllabus: Introduction to Socio-Economic Issues, Ichec Brussels Management school.

The Language Team (2021-22) Syllabus: English – Corporate Communication Skills and Socio-economic issues.

European Framework for Languages. Retrieved from https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168045b15e

Additional textbooks and sources used in the Management, Marketing and Political economics courses may be added to this list.