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HKUSTx: EBA101x English for Doing Business in Asia - Speaking

Course objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to

    • pronounce sounds clearly and use rhythm appropriately and persuasively,
    • use a range of vocabulary and expressions that are commonly used in business English and in business discussions,
    • analyze and summarize business data
    • identify the purpose of an oral presentation to meet the audience’s needs,
    • organize an oral presentation to suit the audience and purpose,
    • deliver an informative and a persuasive presentation to discuss a topic relevant to a business context in Asia; and
    • develop an understanding of cross-cultural issues, style, and genre for business communication purposes.

Course outline

Week Release Date Learning Objectives Topics Graded Assessments

0

30 May 2017  09:00 (GMT+8)
  • get to know each other
  • plan and prepare for learning
  1. Course Outline page
  2. Grading Scheme page
  3. Pre-course Survey 

none

1

06 June 2017  09:00 (GMT+8)
  • tell the expectations and goals for this course
  • introduce yourself appropriately in  English in a formal context
  • pronounce some challenging English sounds
  • use some basic Business English vocabulary
  1. Introduction
  2. Elements of Introducing Yourself
  3. Challenging English Sounds
  4. Vocabulary Practice

Quiz 1

Due date: 26 Jun 2017  23:59 (GMT+8)

2

13 Jun 2017  09:00 (GMT+8)
  • identify possible cross-cultural issues and misunderstandings in communication
  • pronounce some challenging English sounds
  • use some basic Business English vocabulary
  1. Cross-cultural Understanding
  2. Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions
  3. Challenging English Sounds
  4. Vocabulary Practice

Quiz 2 

Due date: 26 Jun 2017  23:59 (GMT+8)

3

20 Jun 2017  09:00 (GMT+8)
  • apply reading strategies to a business case
  • analyze and summarize business data
  • compare and contrast business data
  • apply cross-cultural understanding within a business context
  • pronounce some challenging English sounds
  • use some basic Business English vocabulary
  1. Reading Strategies for a Business Case Study
  2. The Granthill Winery Case Study
  3. Analyzing and Summarizing Business Data
  4. Comparing and Contrasting Business Data
  5. Challenging English Sounds
  6. Vocabulary practice

Quiz 3

Due date: 26 Jun 2017  23:59 (GMT+8)

4

27 Jun 2017  09:00 (GMT+8)
  • recall a basic organization of an argument/persuasive speech
  • identify the purpose of an oral presentation to meet the audience’s needs
  • use appropriate stress and pausing in your speech
  • pronounce some challenging English sounds
  • use basic Business English vocabulary
  • speak persuasively about a topic for 30 seconds
  1. General Organization of a Persuasive Speech
  2. Identifying the Audience and Purpose
  3. Speaking Persuasively
  4. Challenging English Sounds
  5. Vocabulary Practice

Task 1: 30-second pitch

Peer-assessed 30 second audio recording of a persuasive pitch. 

Due date for your work: 03 Jul 2017 23:59 (GMT+8)

Due date for submitting peer feedback: 07 Jul 2017 23:59(GMT+8)

5

04 Jul 2017  09:00 (GMT+8)
  • identify context and directness in cross-cultural communication issues
  • use stress and pausing persuasively 
  • use hedging in your language 
  • pronounce some challenging English sounds
  • use basic Business English vocabulary 
  • speak persuasively about a topic for one-minute
  1. Context and Directness
  2. Speaking Persuasively
  3. Hedging Your Language
  4. Challenging English Sounds
  5. Vocabulary Practice

Task 2: One-minute pitch

Peer-assessed one-minute audio recording of a persuasive pitch. 

Due date for your work: 10 Jul 2017 23:59 (GMT+8)

Due date for submitting peer feedback: 14 Jul 2017 23:59(GMT+8)

6

11 Jul 2017  09:00 (GMT+8)
  • organize a persuasive speech
  • use discourse markers in organized speech
  • be aware of cross-cultural communication issues
  • pronounce some basic English sounds
  • use basic Business English vocabulary 
  • speak persuasively about a topic for two-minutes
  1. Organizing a persuasive speech
  2. Discourse Markers
  3. Cross-cultural Communication
  4. Challenging English Sounds
  5. Vocabulary Practice

Task 3: Two-minute pitch

Peer-assessed two-minute audio recording of a persuasive pitch. 

Due date for your work: 17 Jul 2017 23:59 (GMT+8)

Due date for submitting peer feedback: 21 Jul 2017 23:59 (GMT+8)

7

18 Jul 2017  09:00 (GMT+8)
  • Test your knowledge - Exam Release 

All topics are included in the exam. The vocabulary tested in the Vocabulary Practice will be part of the exam.

Final Exam & Participation

Due date: 24 Jul 2017 23:59 (GMT+8)