You will be working in workshop mode with the tutor and your fellow students (usual group size will be a maximum of 20 students). Much of your class time will be spent preparing and carrying out the tasks which will be assessed in the end of course tests. The module will also provide you, through role play and case study examination, with the skills and vocabulary needed to operate in a business environment.

The Library
A PC with MS Office and Internet
Individual and group study space
A good advanced learner's English Dictionary
Multimedia equipment (DVD player, listening station)

We will be using Market Leader Pre-intermediate as well as materials available in the media, on the Internet and supplementary materials supplied by your tutor.
Cotton, D. et al. (2008). Market Leader Pre-intermediate. Pearson Longman, Essex.

A speaking test (weighted at 25%); a listening test (weighted at 25%); a writing test (weighted at 25%); a reading test (weighted at 25%).

This module is assessed by four elements:

(1) A speaking test of up to 15 minutes which will normally consist of three parts: a general conversation, a mini-presentation on a business theme and a conversation with the examiner, again on a business-related topic (LO2 & 3).
(2) A listening test of up to 40 minutes which will normally consist of a mixture of tasks based on conversations and monologues on Business-related themes (LO3).
(3) A writing test of up to 45 minutes which will normally consist of two writing tasks, typically (a) a workplace-internal communication; and (b) a communication with someone outside the company or a report or a proposal (LO1).
(4) A reading test of up to 60 minutes which will normally consist of a number of tasks (e.g. matching exercises, gap fills, etc) (LO1).


You will be expected to be operating at IELTS 5.5 or equivalent by the end of the module.

Students are required to pass all elements of the assessment for this module.

You should have an English level of at least IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.

Most weeks you will be doing exercises in class to help you to prepare for the examinations. The sort of activities you will be doing include:
Reading and writing:

Business-related articles, including letters, reports, etc.

Speaking and listening:
Various business-related topics including: production, trade, money, transport, communications, education, travel and tourism.

You will be using a variety of materials, including a course-book at an appropriate level, and any other materials your tutor thinks appropriate.

These exams are internal exams. However, the module also prepares you for an external SELT; namely, the Cambridge Business English Vantage exam (see Award Handbook for more details).