Developing a Business English Course @ Beiwaionline – the 1st phase

Presented by Xiang, ShuChair tutor

The Institute of Online EducationBeijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU)

Topics Background Problem Goals Current situation analysis Course development – 1st phase

Forming a team Defining objectives Conceptualizing framework Selecting contents Developing sample unit (script + courseware)

Problems & solutions – lessons learned Wrap-up – get ready for the 2nd phase

Background

About Beiwaionline – the Institute of Online education of BFSU Online degree programs Testing center for BEC exams – training progra

ms About learners @ Beiwaionline – degree pro

grams In-service people Online learning

The currently in-use business English course materials are problematic, a new business English course needs to be

developed.

Problem

The current business English course @ Beiwaionline - BA program: Intended for learners from a different learning and cu

ltural background No copyright – impossible to make courseware for on

line learners

Goals

To develop an appropriate business English course for Beiwaionline learners

For the online BA program Preparing learners for BEC tests (BEC V) Training materials for BEC test training pr

ograms (minor)

Current situation analysis

Curriculum of BA program Learners’ needs and wants

analysis Study on BEC tests (BEC V) Liter-review on online learning and

learners

Course development – 1st phase

A team was formed.

Then, based on the results of current situation analysis:

Course objectives were defined Course framework was conceptualized Course contents were selected Sample unit was developed

Script Courseware Feedback & improvements

Course objectives:

to introduce business info & vocabulary To improve students’ English

proficiency (4 skills) in a business context

to prepare learners (BA program) for practical project design and thesis writing (business)

to prepare students for BEC V test

Course framework: Two courses: Business English 1 & 2 (8 units/course) Suggested study hours:

8 study hours + 2 community hours (f2f tutorials)/unit Unit structure

2 topics<sections> (sub-topics)/unit 4 activities (listening, reading, writing, speaking)/section 3 tasks (pre, while, post)/ activity 1 supplementary listening /listening activity 1 supplementary reading /reading activity

 Script developing guidelines (for writers) Courseware developing guidelines (for technicians)

        

Course Contents:

Introduction (Unit 1) – today’s business world Management (5 units) – human resources,

communication, technology, company development Finance (3 units) – financial statements, financial

planning, performance evaluation Customer (2 units) – getting to know your

customers, improving customer service Production&Marketing (4 units) – production,

competition, public relations, promotion Closing (Unit 16) - globalization

Sample unit – Unit 1 Introduction to Today’s Business World

Script: Topic 1 The structure of organizations

Listening Activity Objectives Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Key concepts and vocabulary Supplementary listening

Reading Activity Writing Activity Speaking Activity

Topic 2 Corporate culture

Demo courseware

Feedback & improvements:

During the process of developing the sample unit, guidelines were modified and improved.

Problems & Solutions Online education vs. f2f education

Sharing & learning – reading & discussing Time control

Realistic and reasonable timetable Appropriate time assigned to each piece of work Agreed by all team members in different departments

Strong emphasis on deadlines accountability for consequences of unfulfilled deadlines

Coordination among team members Well informed of individual responsibilities Strong sense of deadlines Planning ahead Direct (f2f) communication

Communication between educators and technicians – Common language

Getting to know a little bit of each other’s field Direct (f2f) communication Setting rules together

Wrap-up Developing a BE course – the 1st

phase

Goals

objectives

framework

contents

sample unit

curriculum

Needs & wants

BEC

Liter-review

Problems &

Solutions

Currentsituatio

nanalysis

2nd phase

Coursedevelopment

1st phaseteam

Problem

Lessons learned for a smoother progress in the 2nd phase

Experience and expertise gained to share with online course developers

Thank you!

Any questions or comments?