American English For Students of Business (S994-30003)

This seminar is designed for students whose native language is not English and who intend to enter graduate management programs or conduct business in an English-speaking environment. The goal of the program is to provide a setting for students to acquire and refine English language skills through an introduction to management theory and practice. Students will explore business and organization concepts and terminology through lectures, class discussions, readings, case analyses, student presentations, exercises and assignments. The course will also provide opportunities to practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English. It will introduce students to the content, style, and workload of a graduate management program. Topics addressed during the course include strategic planning, organization, investment analysis, and developing a business plan. Work will often be done in small groups to facilitate learning and to promote the use and understanding of teamwork.

The international composition of the class is a rich resource. Many of the readings and cases focus on international and cross-cultural issues. Cross-cultural learning will be fostered through working in culturally homogeneous and heterogeneous groups to encourage the sharing of insights across nationalities and to examine culturally-based assumptions about behavior in organizations.

Special features of the seminar are as follows:

	4-5 hours of instruction, five days per week
	practice in the case method to explore business strategies and concepts
	field trips to area businesses

Afternoon Courses

Two afternoons a week students take Oral Communication Skills to improve spoken English within the business context. This class will focus on presentations in mock business meetings based on case studies. Twice a week students also have an afternoon Written Communication Skills class, which will focus on group and individual writing projects based on case studies. These classes allow students to review vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, grammar and pronunciation.