A COURSE IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ENGLISH ENAE 2007/2008

Being able to follow a course in English for Overseas trade successfully * implies a readiness to acknowledge English as the main tool of communication, or lingua franca, of international business transactions. It also entails understanding that English is no longer the monopoly of one, or several, nations, i.e., the Anglo-Saxon countries, but that it is now the property, the communicative heritage of the world at large.

To follow this course you will have to accept the evidence that you are not a “native” speaker, and that this fact is not really important in the context that your professional activity is going to take place. As soon as you get into the world of business and management, you will have to deal with Japanese speakers (with a tendency to keep silent sometimes that we Westerners find worrying!), German ones (with a strong accent), French ones (who cannot pronounce the aspirated “h” so well)…the lot…Hence, you will soon find out that your Spanish accent or pronunciation flaws will not be so evident, or relevant. Your communicative abilities, on the other hand, will be tested. You will have to leave your prejudices, stereotypes and self-consciousness aside, trying to have a lot of confidence in yourself, keeping an open mind towards the habits and cultural traits of the rest of the world.

Your job will require from you selling the idea of yourself, your projects, and your value. All of that requires self-confidence and empathy to your neighbour, or business counterpart. It is about speaking, but also about listening, and watching. It is about politeness, good manners and understanding. Sometimes, these qualities are as important as a perfect English, an impeccable accent or a flawless grammar. So, don’t be afraid. If you keep this advice in mind, and work a little every day (listen to original versions : DVDs, digital TV… , read articles in English, the web is full of them!! and so on ), you will be able to communicate globally with success.

THE BASIC SKILLS FOR AN OVERSEAS TRADE COURSE:

Introducing yourself.17th January. The student is given input by means of video and printed information about how to introduce himself/herself in the professional context and keep up with social chat. Role-plays will follow.

Non-verbal communication and Cross-Cultural Awareness. 17th January.Assuming that English is the lingua franca for business worldwide, the students will be presented with information about Hall’s and Hofstede’s ideas on cultural interactions in the world of business. Practical cases will be given to supply feedback in English.

Company structure in the Angloamerican world. 24thth January. Theoretical unit that explains business structure and terminology on corporations in Uk and the USA.

Presenting your company. 24th, 31stth January Audio, video and written input about how to make successful presentations in English. The student will present a real company as hers. For this task, the students will have to make a previous search of websites of multinational companies, selecting the right, relevant information.

Telephoning. 7th February Video and written input about how to make effective telephone calls in English. Role-plays with fictitious situations will be given for practice. Writing effectively. 7th February. Guidelines by means of slides and realia will be offered to show fingertip rules to write letters and emails correctly, plus an explanation of internationally recognised abbreviation.

Holding meetings. 14st February Video and written input about how to hold international meetings in English is to be provided, having as the scope of attention the world of marketing and advertising campaigns. Role-plays with fictitious situations will be given for team-working. Introduction to export terminology. 14th February Consisting of real documents and general information of the ICC for export transactions. Reading comprehension skills and relevant terminology will be provided as well.

Export payments: Documentary collections and Documentary credits. 21st February Consisting of real documents and general information of the ICC for export transactions. Reading comprehension skills and relevant terminology will be provided as well.

Negotiating. 7th March. Video and written input will be supplied about how to carry out international negotiations successfully in English. Role-plays with fictitious situations (through flash cards) will be given for team-working.

Assessment. 13th March. 35% of the overall mark will be given to cooperation and attendance. The class will be divided up in teams for class activities and homework. There will be an individual written test (NOT multiple choice in any case) and a final project for the remaining 65% (40%, 25%, respectively), of the subject.

Methodology:

Every unit is made up with a one-hour introduction by means of oral resources (video, audio),plus one-hour feedback from students, either written or oral, or both. Bibliography will be supplied, as well as the documentation itself, mainly consisting of relevant websites.

Useful websites:

• On Export-import transactions:

Documentary Credits: http://www.ubs.com/1/e/ubs_ch/bb_ch/finance/trade_exportfinance/akkreditiv/arten.html International Chamber of Commerce: http://www.iccwbo.org/id93/index.html Export documents: http://www.export911.com/

• Reviews and newspapers

The Economist: http://www.economist.com/ The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/

The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/

The Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/global/

The Sunday Times: www.sunday-times.co.uk/

• On Corporate Culture:

Geert Hofstede™ Cultural Dimensions: http://www.geert-hofstede.com/ Edward T. Hall: Proxemic Theory http://www.csiss.org/classics/content/13 On cultural dimensions: http://www.via-web.de/272.html

• On Export-Import Transactions

BIMCO: Baltic and International Maritime Council http://www.bimco.org/Corporate%20Area/Documents/Document_samples/Bill_of_Ladings.aspx EXPORT911TM is a business and educational website focusing on international business. http://www.export911.com/