English Applied to Business Sciences V

Prerequisites

• PR1. English language proficiency at B1+/B2 level according to the Common European Framework of
  Reference for Languages (CEFR), with consolidated knowledge of intermediate grammar structures and
  general business vocabulary.

The adopted teaching methodologies are student-centred, with a strong practical and communicative component, following the principles of a task-based approach. They include the following strategies:

• TM1. Task-based Learning: Units are developed around tasks with real-world applications.
• TM2. Contextualised Grammar Teaching: Grammatical content is introduced progressively and applied in authentic communication.

• TM3. Use of Authentic Materials: Integration of real business texts, press, and multimedia content.
• TM4. Regulated AI Integration: Guided classroom activities using generative AI for writing and lexical development, strictly limited to in-class contexts under teacher supervision, and completely banned during evaluations.
• TM5. Collaborative Work: Interactive group activities and business case analyses to foster interpersonal and leadership skills.

Learning Outcomes (LO)

By the end of the curricular unit, students should be able to:

• LO1. Identify and explain the main cultural dimensions that influence business communication in an international context, marked by the strong presence of the English language.
• LO2. Recognise and interpret culturally appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication practices, including forms of address, greetings, business etiquette, dress codes and professional interactions.
• LO3. Analyse the impact of cultural differences on business relationships, teamwork, negotiation, hospitality and time management in multicultural environments.
• LO4. Apply effective intercultural communication strategies to communicate appropriately and professionally in various international business situations.
• LO5. Use Artificial Intelligence tools ethically and in a strictly regulated manner, solely in a classroom context when explicitly requested by the lecturer, acknowledging their absolute prohibition in any assessment moment.

Skills (S)

Upon completion of this course unit, students will have developed the following skills:

• S1. Intercultural competence: To understand and value cultural diversity, recognising the impact of cultural differences on communication and professional relationships in international business contexts.
• S2. Communication skills in a business context: To communicate effectively, appropriately and professionally in multicultural environments, adapting communication strategies to different interlocutors and business contexts.
• S3. Analytical and adaptability skills: To analyse intercultural communication situations in a business context, identifying potential cultural barriers to communication and proposing strategies that promote effective professional relationships in multicultural environments.

Associated Competences (AC)

• AC1. Adapt verbal and non-verbal communication to different cultural contexts and interlocutors in business settings.
• AC2. Analyse and resolve intercultural communication situations, identifying potential cultural impacts and proposing strategies for effective and collaborative communication.
• AC3. Develop critical thinking and digital ethics, discerning the role of technologies and AI, limiting their use to authorised learning activities and acting with academic integrity.

Syllabus

• S1. Culture and Diversity in a Business Context
  • 1.1. Cultures and culture; distance and familiarity in professional relationships; intercultural communication in a business context.
  • 1.2. Phrasal verbs.
• S2. Etiquette and Protocol in International Business
  • 2.1. Names and forms of address; dress code and professional image.
  • 2.2. Future tenses (Future Perfect; Future Perfect Continuous).
• S3. Interpersonal Relationships and Business Practices across Different Cultures
  • 3.1. Hospitality, entertainment and building professional relationships; time management in different business cultures.
  • 3.2. Future tenses (Future Perfect; Future Perfect Continuous).
• S4. Effective Communication in Multicultural Environments
  • 4.1. Barriers to Intercultural Communication; strategies for effective intercultural communication; best practices in communication within international teams and organisations.
  • 4.2. Reported speech.
• S5. Preparation and Delivery of Formal Business Presentations & Case Studies
  • 5.1. Structure, executive presentation language, pitching, and integrated management case study resolution.
  • 5.2. Simulated professional contexts and public speaking techniques.

Assessment is continuous and based on evidence of communicative performance in professional contexts.

A) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

• AM1. Classroom Participation (30%): Active class participation and task performance focused on the direct application of the syllabus content covered.
  
  
• AM2. Individual Written Test (40%): In-person individual assessment focusing on reading comprehension and text production, covering specialized vocabulary and syntactic and grammatical structures.
  
  
• AM3. Group Project with Oral Presentation (30%): Formal group presentation (5 minutes per student) focusing on the use of specialized vocabulary and oral communication practices.

Final Grade Formula (FG):

FG = (MA1×0,30) + (MA2×0,40) + (MA3×0,30)

B) ASSESSMENT BY FINAL EXAM

For students who do not opt for continuous assessment or do not fulfil its requirements:

• MA4 Individual Written Exam (60%): Comprehensive written assessment of comprehension skills, vocabulary, grammar, and formal business writing.
  
  
• MA5. Individual Oral Exam (40%): Assessment of students' oral production skills.

Final Grade Formula (FG):

FG = (MA4×0,60) + (MA5×0,40)

Regulatory Guidelines, Attendance, and Academic Ethics

Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may only be used within the classroom context and only when requested by
the lecturer, and they must never be used during any assessment moments of the course unit. Unauthorized
use in evaluation components constitutes academic fraud.

Procedure in Case of Suspected Fraud

In the event of a well-founded suspicion of fraud detected during the grading phase of an assessment, the
student will be summoned to take an oral exam to verify the knowledge and skills demonstrated. This
verification is conducted by a jury comprising the course unit lecturer and two other lecturers from the same
scientific field. If the student fails to prove possession of the knowledge and skills demonstrated in the
written exam, the assessment will be annulled.

Attendance and Special Statutes

Attendance is compulsory under the continuous regime, with a maximum of 6 unjustified absences
permitted. Students with special status (e.g., Working Students) must inform the lecturer within the first 3
weeks of the semester to define their attendance and evaluation arrangements.

NAO