2019-2020 / GEST7016-1

Languages and business communication

Duration

45h Th

Number of credits

 Master in sales management (120 ECTS) (en alternance)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Maureen Hosay, Marie Mawhin, Isabelle Van Den Hove

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The English course has the following aims:
  1. Strengthening the students' knowledge of business English.    2. Practicing communication (oral and written) in a context that closely resembles their professional environment.     3. learning information related to their areas of expertise based on audio and written documents.    4. Become more aware of cultural differences in business. 
 
The Dutch course has the following aims:
  1. arousing the student's interest in Dutch
  2. perfecting the student's knowledge, in the 4 macro-skills

  • - listening comprehension (luistervaardigheid)
  • - reading comprehension (leesvaardigheid)
  • - written expression (schrijfvaardigheid)
  • - oral expression and discussion (spreek- en gespreksvaardigheid)
3. discover some cultural aspects and current events (in Dutch-speaking Belgium and the Netherlands)

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The English course will:


  • Help students improve their knowledge of English and develop it in line with their professional life. 
  • Help them communicate more efficiently about themselves, their surroundings, the company for which they work, their projects, etc.
 
The Dutch course will:


  • Help students show curiosity about the Dutch language;
  • Help them communicate more efficiently about themselves, their surroundings, the company for which they work, their projects, etc.
  • Allow them to acquire a good base in Dutch and then to refine their mastery of Dutch as a foreign language (= NT2)

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

English: B2 level (or at least B1+).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

English
 
- 1 module of 2X3 hours
- 6 modules of 2 hours each
 
Each module will revolve around four skills: 
-Listening Comprehension
-Reading Comprehension
-Written Expression
-Oral Expression
 
Dutch: structured around 2 main areas:
1st area: grammar - theory and exercises;
2nd area:  vocabulary;
Many topics and lexical fields will be addressed, including:
zich voorstellen; iemand voorstellen; telwoorden en rangtelwoorden; een klacht formuleren; klachten behandelen; een agenda opstellen; deelnemen aan een vergadering; een bezoek plannen; een mail opsturen; zakelijk Nederlands;... Four skills: listening comprehension + reading comprehension + speaking + writing.
The course requires a great investment of time and perseverance, in the classroom and at home.
 

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

The student must complete the required work and get involved if he wants to succeed.

Recommended or required readings

ENGLISH
Lecture notes.
Listening comprehenion: https://www.businessenglishpod.com/category/sales/
Business vocabulary : https://www.businessenglishsite.com/business-english-vocabulary.html
Units of « Business Vocabulary in Use »
Interesting books:
In Company (Mark Powell)
The Business (John Allison with Paul Emmerson)
Working in English (Leo Jones)
New International Business English
200 modèles de lettres commerciales en anglais (Harry G. Linden)
Open for Business ! How to Write Letters that Get Results (Courtney Fergusson)
Dictionaries:
Robert & Collins
Word Reference: https://www.wordreference.com/
Oxford Collocation Dictionary: http://www.freecollocation.com/
Reverso context: https://context.reverso.net/traduction/
Grammar:
Oxford Learner's Grammar (John Eastwood)
 
DUTCH
Lecture notes.
Reading comprehension : www.wablieft.be
Reading and listening comprehension: www.nedbox.be (promotor : KULeuven)
Vocabulary:  Quizlet
News : www.hln.be for example
Grammar : Rosen, G., Grammaire illustrée du néerlandais, éd. Erasme
Dictionary: Van Dale for example

Assessment methods and criteria

VERY IMPORTANT:
Any failure (9/20 or less) for the "English" or "Dutch" component will lead to a failure score for the whole course. In August, the student may request a postponement of the grade for the component he or she has successfully completed.
ENGLISH
Written exam in 1st session - May/June = 45%:
Some of these components may be evaluated during the class;
Oral exam in 1st session - May/June = 40%
Continuous certification evaluation: various tests will be scheduled during the year = 15%.
2nd session: written exam = 55% /  oral exam = 45%.
!!! Not presenting part of the exam = 0/20 for the whole exam.
 
DUTCH
Evaluation methods
Written exam in 1st session - May/June = 50%:
Some of these components may be evaluated during the class;
Oral exam in 1st session - May/June = 35%.
Continuous certification evaluation: various tests will be scheduled during the year = 15%.
2nd session: written exam = 65% /  oral exam = 35%.
!!! Not presenting part of the exam = 0/20 for the whole exam.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

COORDINATOR AND CHAIRWOMAN OF THE HEC LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT:
Mrs. Marie Mawhin, marie.mawhin@uliege.be, 04 232 72 75, office 215, HEC (rue Louvrex).
ENGLISH:
Mrs. Maureen Hosay, mhosay@uliege.be
DUTCH:
Mrs. Monique Stassen, monique.stassen@hepl.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

FOR DUTCH: distance learning (emails, Lol@, videoconference).
FOR ENGLISH: distance learning (emails, Lol@, videoconference).

Assessment subjects

FOR DUTCH:
Oral expression through press articles sent on 20/4 by Mrs. van den Hove and Stassen Monique.
 
FOR ENGLISH:
Oral expression (business meetings) based on case studies sent in advance. 

Assessment methods

FOR DUTCH:
 - Oral exam by videoconference = 30% 
- Written exam = evaluation during the year = 30% 
- 3 Dispensary grammar tests = 10%
- All of the hearing comprehensions on lol@ = 30%
 
With regard to the oral examination by videoconference:
- The student prepares the articles (vocabulary research, general understanding of the text, is able to express his opinion on what he has read)
- Questions and answers in Dutch  
 
FOR ENGLISH:
 - Oral exam by videoconference = 70% 
- Two vocabulary tests + presentation during the year = 30%  
With regard to the oral examination by videoconference:
- Each student prepares a role from the case study.
- In group of four, the students hold a meeting in English based on the case study.

Contacts

FOR DUTCH:
Monique.stassen@hepl.be
ivandenhove@uliege.be
FOR ENGLISH:
mhosay@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

 FOR DUTCH:
Oral expression through:


  • e-commerce: Colruyt (available on lol@)
  • "Koppen": reportage available on lol@
  • two press articles sent by Mrs van den Hove and Stassen
     
 For English: not applicable.

Assessment methods

 FOR DUTCH:


  • assessment method: oral exam by videoconference
  • platform used: jitsi meet (I. van den Hove) and collaborate (M. Stassen)
     
 For English: not applicable.

Contacts

FOR DUTCH:

  • monique.stassen@hepl.be
  • ivandenhove@uliege.be