Specialised English Writing Skills

Teacher(s)

Byrne Timothy (coordinator);

Language

English

Main themes

• Memos,
• e-mails,
• letters,
• CVs,
• press releases,
• minutes of meetings,
• summary writing, etc.

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	The main objective of the course is the analysis and drafting of various types of written messages that are used on a daily basis in business contexts, viz.: memos, e-mails, business correspondence, CVs (résumés),  press releases, minutes of meetings, summaries (précis writing), etc. He/she will also have to be able to master the language functions, the grammatical structures, the 'etiquette', the 'genre conventions', the general vocabulary as well as the specific business vocabulary, with the aim of becoming able to fluently and spontaneously write the various kinds of written business genres mentioned above. The target level at the end of the course is C1 (CEFR).

Content

Production of the various types of written messages that are used on a daily basis in company contexts: memos, e-mail, letters, press releases, minutes of meetings, summary (or précis) writing, etc.

Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The student is encouraged to gradually improve his/her skills in the drafting of the above-mentioned genres, first through the analysis of models and subsequently through imitation and emulation in various concrete situations.
Weekly drafting of assignments (at home as well as in class)
Detailed correction by the teacher
Error analysis

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

• Continuous assessment throughout term, including the student's participation during class, two tests and weekly assignments submitted individually or in little groups
• No written exam at the end of term (weighting of 100 % for continuous assessment)
• Creation of an e-portfolio

Online resources

http://moodleucl.uclouvain.be/

Bibliography

Timothy BYRNE, Business English Writing Skills, Leuven, ACCO, 2017 (3rd ed.)
https://www.acco.be/en/items/9789033498558/Business-English-Writing-Skills

Faculty or entity

ILV