222 BWL 2 - English for Business
Kursthemen
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Hello Everyone!
Sara Meitner here. I’ll be doing English for Business with you this semester. I look forward to meeting all of you.
I’m from the USA, so have an American accent (although I have lived in Germany since 1989).
The European Union standard for English is that used by the British in the United Kingdom.
Even though the UK is no longer a part of the EU, the standard for English remains the same, so the emphasis in our class is on British English, and all of the exams will be done according to modern, contemporary British English use.
We will go through the standards and what will be expected of you throughout the semester.
We meet on Fridays throughout our time together here in Lübeck. I will be using the Moodle to notify you of what the topics for each day will be. I haven’t posted a lot yet, as it is important for me to meet each one of you and see what kinds of Business English you especially need. There are typical things that everyone will work on, including writing business letters, essays, going over – and practising – the various communicative skills you will need at work.
You will be giving presentations in teams of two (with adjustments according to attendees, if needed). You will need to identify your team and the topic on 15 September (with a more formal write-up to be submitted to MOODLE by 22 September). Sign-up sheets with dates and times will be immediately available on 15 September.
I’m looking forward to having a great semester together.
Cheers,
Sara
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Today we will...
1. have an overview of the course (presentation by Sara)
2. get info on when your portfolios are due
3. set up oral exam arrangements (you will identify your team (and topic, if possible) and secure your presentation date
4. take a placement exam (will remain "hidden" until used)
5. do a "Getting to know you" activity (if time allows)
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This contains some introductory information about your lecturer and the content of the PPT presentation.
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This gives you the dates when your oral exam topic overview is due, as well as the due date for both portfolios.
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Tells you the general plan of the semester - and specifics on presentation dates and times.
(This is NOT the sign-up sheet for the presentations)
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1. There are instructions (listed separately as well as on the front page of the test itself). Open this first.
2. You can either use the answer sheet shown (if you have online writing capability) - or you can just use any piece of paper (Sara has blank sheets available).
3. The test will be made available when 1 and 2 have been completed.
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Please wait until your lecturer has told you to open the file. It is timed.
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For submitting compulsory assignments, the weekend after our first class together I created a section that you find at the end of Moodle here.
It is listed below under:
Course Assessment Submissions
The presentation topic is due now (through 22 September at 23:59). -
Today we will go over all the information you need for doing your portfolio.
1. What a business to business letter of complaint looks like
2. What a complaint letter should contain
3. Various helps for the formulation of your complaint letter.
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1a BE Letter of Complaint model: How it should look
1b BE Letterhead example
1c AE Letter of Complaint model: How it should look
2a Complaint in writing exercise: Choose the correct term
You can work together. Be sure to do the work before you look at the answers (goes for all such
assignments). Sara will go over the answers with you, if needed.
2b SOLUTION to Complaint in writing_Choose the correct term
3a Übersetzungsübung: Translate from German to English
You can work together.
3b Lösungsblatt: For AFTER you have done the exercise.
4 A glossary Sara created – only from English to German at this point.
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The PDF has the assignment for your first portfolio.
Any questions, ask Sara.
The assignment can be submitted at the end of Moodle under:
Course Assessment Submissions
It is due 13 October 2023 by 23.59.
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PART 1 SWOT ANALYSIS
Today we are going over what a SWOT analysis is in English and what will be expected of you for your second portfolio.
We will begin with a presentation on the basics. The high points of the presentation have been put into a PDF for you for ease in reference.
More information is found in this section, including an example of how to write up the analysis. The example is 1000 words (from discussion to conclusion. You “only” need 300.
PART 2 PRESENTATIONS
Because presentations begin after your week off, we'll go through important information on giving a presentation in English.
We’ll cover 10 useful tips – and adjust them, discussing the most important for YOUR presentation.
We’ll also touch on the other helps, again with your presentation in mind.
And, at the end…Sara will give you a presentation – and it will be your job to spot what she is doing WRONG!
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The high points of the presentation
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Goes into more detail on what and how to do the analysis.
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The example is 1000 words from discussion to conclusion. You need 300.
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1 Tips for Effective Presentations
2 All sorts of phrases to assist you in preparing and giving your presentation.
3 Describing charts and graphs.
4 Good listening habits: knowing what to listen for helps you in your delivery.
and I am adding a fifth - good for comments during a presentation you make - and otherwise...
5 Thought starters on making comments.
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– for your motivating pleasure -
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DHSH BWL 222 1/2
English for Business
Second portfolio assignment
To be submitted to Course Assessment Submissions by 27 October, 23.59hrs
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Develop a SWOT matrix and create a SWOT analysis on a company of your choice to identify and report on the internal and external factors influencing and affecting their performance. You can conduct your SWOT analysis on the company as a whole or you can focus in on one of their products.
Write your SWOT analysis using 300 words and submit it along with your SWOT matrix.
PLEASE NOTE: The SWOT matrix is NOT included in the 300 words.
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Please use this matrix and submit it with your written analysis.
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All will meet from 12.15 to 13.45 for course materials.
Today there will be 3 presentations from 14 to 15.30. Further information will be given in class.
This adjustment is due to the illness of a presenter. Times may be adjusted per discussion with the groups.
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The evaluation/grading will reflect the GROUP scores – everyone in the group receiving the same mark/grade.
Shown are the grading sheets to be used for 3rd Semester 2023.
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All will meet from 12.15 to 13.45 for course materials.
Today there will be 4 presentations from 14 to 15.30. Further information will be given in class.
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AUS KIEL:
Semesterbefragung der Studierenden im dritten Semester
Die Studierenden sollen anschließend einige Minuten innerhalb der Vorlesungszeit zum Ausfüllen der Online-Umfrage erhalten, damit eine repräsentative Beteiligung erreicht wird. Die Umfrage wird am Ende des Tages geschlossen.
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Für innerhalb der Vorlesungszeit: 12:15 bis 15:30 Uhr
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Today is a normal class day except there will be two presentations.
I will come to the class at 11:30.
A REMINDER: Your SWOT Analysis is due by 23:59 tonight.
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What do you understand when someone says: "Let's meet at half four." or "Let's meet at 12 am. ???
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In today's world, it is more important than ever to have a good command of business English. To help you with the basics, here are exercises to help build your vocabulary.
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Of the 51 countries in Europe, only nine have the same name in English as in German. It's important to have an idea of the English names. You can work together to do the assignment. I've included a help - but it's also VERY IMPORTANT to write the names yourself. I will come around and check your work.
I will make the official answers available when everyone has finished.
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Companies, Careers and Organisations, Interns, Trainees and Apprentices
These exercises touch on a selection of important terms. You can of course work together. The solutions will be made available to you as everyone finishes.
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Today we will cover important basics for: Manufacturing, Services, Products, Material and Suppliers
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Today we are covering part 2. As before, you can work together. The solutions will be made available after most of you are finished.
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The German version of the antiplagiarism agreement is the „Eidesstattliche Erklärung“.
It and the Overview of Tools Used are found in this section.
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You only have to submit it once - and it will be good for all your submissions. Please list them all on this document.
A WORD document is provided for you for ease of completion.
Please create a completed PDF for submission.
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Please download the WORD document, fill out and submit a PDF of the completed form (use more pages, if needed) to the folder provided here. Because you will be writing the assignments at different times, you can submit one "Tools Used" per portfolio and presentation immediately AFTER you have completed them. Please note the name of the assignment on the form.
Directions: Enter your name and mark which course you are attending (in upper left-hand corner). Write the name of any program you have used (one per section), then write how you used it.
EXAMPLE:
NAME of TOOL: DeepL
USE: I used DeepL to translate sentences in both of my portfolios and my presentation.
(NOTE: In Kiel, the students are required to show which sentences they used the translators for.)
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All information regarding the assessment of this course will be posted here.
There are two assessment components (1. The two portfolios and 2. the presentation) for this course.
Portfolio Assessment 1 (PA1 - 25%)
Portfolio Assessment 2 (PA2 - 25%)
Presentation (50% of your final grade)
Assessment % Date Due
Presentation Topic Upload to Moodle by 22 September
Complaint Letter (PA1) 25% 13 October
SWOT Analysis (PA2) 25% 27 October
Presentation exam 50% PLEASE SEE BELOW
You must submit a copy of the DHSH antiplagiarism agreement (German version) for all your portfolio assignments and your business presentation, i.e. you only need to complete the form once per person, but be sure you’ve listed all of your exam components on it. Be sure to submit it no later than at the same time you post your PA1.
In the overview of tools used, state the name of the program (i.e. ChatGPT / DeepL, etc.) and then write how your used it (i.e. I used the ChatGPT to get some ideas for the possible solutions. / I used DeepL to translate the following sentences).
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Include the names of the presenters, the topic you have chosen and 5 or 6 bullet points (½ to ¾ of a page) on what you wish to specifically talk about. Due no later than 22 September, 23:59.
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Your first portfolio assignment: Writing a complaint (300 words)
Is due by 13 October 2023, 23:59.
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Please submit your report and matrix here by 27 October, 23.59 hours.
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A copy of your presentation must be submitted no later than the Wednesday before you are to give your presentation. Please submit it in a PDF format.
Submit by 23:59 on the date shown:
11 October 2023 for presentations on 13 October 2023
18 October 2023 for presentations on 20 October 2023
25 October 2023 for presentations on 27 October 2023
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Please check here for when your presentation is scheduled.
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11 October 2023 for presentations on 13 October 2023
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18 October 2023 for presentations on 20 October 2023
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25 October 2023 for presentations on 27 October 2023
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I’ve thought long and hard about this section. As most things can be found on the Internet, I have mainly concentrated on things I’ve either written, compiled or expanded on/added translations myself – other that the things on tenses and some good articles on giving presentations. Anything with my name or initials (sm) means I have done personal work on it in one form or another.
Specifics will be in the various categories.
READ “1 MOST IMPORTANT” even if you ignore everything else.
The others after formal/informal English are alphabetised – not in order of importance, as you decide what you need.-
Be sure to read through these PDFs. BEGIN WITH #1!
Capitalisation and spelling: Capitalisation and spelling greatly influence how any of your written work is viewed.
Numbers and punctuation: This is very important – even VITAL - when writing numbers and prices. MEMORISE these differences!
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Although we haven’t yet gone intensely into this in class, there are definite differences in the language that could/should be noted. Business and research language tends to be more formal, while personal use takes on the informal, as a general rule. I’ve included two PDFs that deal with this idea (one in each direction).
NOTE from SARA: For your presentations, please use language you are comfortable with.
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Contractions, abbreviations and acronyms are an integral part of today’s communication.
Contractions, as they seem more friendly and can speed things up.
HOWEVER, contractions should NOT be used in formal business letters or other official communications.
Abbreviations and acronyms are necessary in chats and texting.
But they should be used with caution in formal business letters and other official communications.
From the OXFORD DICTIONARY:
contraction (noun): a short form of a word “He's” may be a contraction of “he is” or “he has.”
abbreviation (noun): (of/for something) a short form of a word, etc.
acronym (noun): an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word (e.g. ASCII, NASA, LOL).
I’ve only included information on contractions in English here, as abbreviations and especially acronyms are available everywhere on the Internet.
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1. There are two explanatory PDFs here. The same information is given on both. One explains the English tenses in German. The other explains the English tenses in English.
2. A "Pictoral" PDF gives expanded explanations in English, including a visual, sentence formulas and sample sentences.
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As is the case with most languages, spoken English is naturally shortened, often making contracted words and phrases the norm.
Although originally based on American English, both PDFs are useful for helping you understand what native speakers are actually saying, no matter where they are from.
Of course, accents play a major role – and there are of course regional differences. And honestly, the Brits and Australians are champions at shortening words. A favourite example of mine is the word “extraordinary”. It essentially has 6 syllables. The Americans usually do it in 5: ex-tror-din-ar-y. A great many Brits can do it in two: “strord-nri”.
And the Australians shorten just about everything (you can find excellent examples online).
When you take a look at the PDFs – I’m sure you’ll recognise a LOT if not all of the situations. I can be contacted if you need help in pronouncing anything. And I added translations to the idioms, so you'll know what's being said.
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How does that go again? As we know, each language has its quirks.
So, I’ve included a sentence structure chart, time order words and a PDF covering verbs followed by ‘-ing’ / ‘to + infinitive’
NOTE: adjectives are found under “Using Adjectives”
Anything else can be found on the Net.
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Adjectives describe nouns. So, in this section we will cover general use of adjectives – and then using adjectives to describe people and personalities.
We see ourselves and others through OUR eyes. The results may not be the same as those of others.
There are unending words and terms available. We will NEVER reach the end. So, here you’ll find lists as of 25 April 2023. If you need a term not listed, talk with Sara.
You have 6 PDFs:
1. How to Use Adjectives – General word order
2. Describing people – quick overview of adjective order
- Sara uses herself as an example.
3a Describing Appearance D-E Glossary – German to English
3b Describing People by Appearance E-G – from English to German in more depth
4 Hair Styles including facial hair on men – illustrations
5 Persönlichkeit_Describing Personalities_D-E Glossary_sm
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8 weeks doesn't give us a lot of time to work on vocabulary building in class. So, I've included extra information for those of you who are interested in learning as much as possible.
Some are exercises and solutions (similar to what you've already done in class). Others are vocabulary lists - with very useful words and terms.
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Business cards are a norm in business today. Here is some information on how to read the information AND use the cards for staying in touch.
E-mail is the standard communication in today's world. Although you probably deal with them on a daily basis, your computer is probably set with German terms and references, which can be argued to be the most useful within Germany. However, it could be that you might be in the situation where you need some English terms - or even use an English keyboard. This exercise gives you needed basics.
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E-mails have become the standard form of communication, with telephoning a close second. The terminology for both are pretty much the same when setting up appointments and meetings.
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How do you tell someone how to get to somewhere and/or the location of something? There are many terms involved - and the list never truly comes to an end. You have a list of all sorts of terms dealing with this subject – including how to give directions.
Locations often have to do with what you are talking about: a room, a piece of paper, a report/book/contract or similar document. Locations outside may be different than those inside. So you have both – including “Locations in a Shop” which can be applied to various companies as well.
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In many ways (except for telemarketing), using e-mails for communicating has surpassed telephoning – especially internationally. There are times, however, when a phone call is needed. I’ve included two lists of vocabulary (English to German only) dealing with terminology and actual phrases you can use when telephoning in English. There is also an exercise that has its solution attached.
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Working remotely – called “home office” in German – has always been around. However, since the Covid pandemic, it has become, in many ways, an integral part of business life. Ever more people are working for a company in one location – but may live in another part of the world. You are experiencing it this semester with some of your classes. In this section you’ll find specific terminology having to do with the subject.
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This section has all sorts of special terminology. You just might find something to fit your needs. Give a look through. Most important for everyday life is the section on weather. There are some activities related to it as well. Others are mostly glossaries in English and German – with an exercise here or there.
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No matter where you go, where you are - and what you are doing - WEATHER plays a role. It's good to know the terms and uses. Some may certainly surprise you. The collection has two "fun" exercises included. In a separate PDF you will find the solutions to the "scrambled" terms. BUT TRY UNSCRAMBLING THE TERMS FIRST! I'm pointing at YOU!!!!!
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Negotiations aren't just for business. From our childhoods on, we have been fine-tuning our art of negotiating. This PDF has some important terminology for you.
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Finance vocabulary is a HUGE field of specialized words and terms. There are always new terms being added. I’ve included a few lists – a sampling of the various fields.
Online is a wealth of information. I've included just a few here.
Two great online accounting glossaries are available on the proz (professional translators) website:
from German to English
https://www.proz.com/glossary-translations/german-to-english-translations/accounting/page1
from English to German
https://www.proz.com/glossary-translations/english-to-german-translations/accounting
I’ve also included a link that can send you to all sorts of different sources. One amazing source has a PDF that is over 2000 pages – and counting (unfortunately – the person uses a very large script/font – a smaller size could have significantly reduced the page count).
Each list is in a different style, so might take some time to figure out how to read the information.
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The NATO alphabet. It is the most commonly-used phonetic alphabet in the world. All airports and ports use it - as well as most transport companies. The only time a term is changed is, for example - at the Lima Airport in Peru and the Quebec Airport. In such places, another term has been chosen for those letters.
A to Z Vocabulary lists. Practicing your vocabulary is ALWAYS useful. I have included a sheet that you can use repeatedly to practice your knowledge.