Three ways to improve your students' English and help them get aheadThe Open University has designed three key courses for students who want to improve their academic and business English in today's competitive world.
Whether they are general university-level learners, undergraduate business students, or studying for an MBA, our courses will help your students develop confidence in reading, writing, speaking and listening. They also introduce students to different styles of English and specialist terms from their own field of study.
Each of these courses sits alongside the student's main subject, so that their performance improves not just in English, but across the board. Enhanced communication, networking, IT and study skills will give them a vital competitive edge.
If your students already have English skills to IELTS levels 5.5 or 6, (Common European Framework B2), just click on the courses below for more information:
English for academic purposes online (L185)
(General academic study, 30 credit points)This online course develops the specific language your students need for successful academic study in English.
The course offers a common core of English for academic purposes with two strands: one representing science, maths, computing and technology, and the other representing the arts, humanities, social sciences, business and health studies.
Help your students develop the academic English that is most relevant to their study, through texts that cover a range of topics, including course reading material, student assignments, spoken presentations and oral interactions. They'll consider the cultural differences in academic writing across different parts of the world and the growing importance of multiple media in academic study.
For a full course description, visit
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/l185.htm
The course offers a common core of English for academic purposes with two strands: one representing science, maths, computing and technology, and the other representing the arts, humanities, social sciences, business and health studies.
Help your students develop the academic English that is most relevant to their study, through texts that cover a range of topics, including course reading material, student assignments, spoken presentations and oral interactions. They'll consider the cultural differences in academic writing across different parts of the world and the growing importance of multiple media in academic study.
For a full course description, visit
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/l185.htm
Professional communication skills for business studies (LB160)
(Undergraduate business study, 30 credit points)Personal and business success relies on effective communication, now more than ever. Professional communication skills for business studies will help your students acquire the expertise they need to stand out from their peers.
This practical course will empower your students to undertake more insightful case-study analysis, write successful essays, and produce powerful reports. From proposals to emails, they'll work with a wide range of texts drawing on business studies courses and the wider business world, deepening their knowledge and developing their written communication skills - helping them succeed both in business studies and in the world of work.
For a full course description, visit
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/lb160.htm
For the course taster site, visit
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/tasters/lb160
This practical course will empower your students to undertake more insightful case-study analysis, write successful essays, and produce powerful reports. From proposals to emails, they'll work with a wide range of texts drawing on business studies courses and the wider business world, deepening their knowledge and developing their written communication skills - helping them succeed both in business studies and in the world of work.
For a full course description, visit
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/lb160.htm
For the course taster site, visit
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/tasters/lb160
English communication skills for global managers (LB720)
(Postgraduate business study, 15 credit points)A new opportunity for managers to enhance the language and communication skills they need to succeed in today's competitive world.
This course develops written and spoken English communication skills in an MBA study context, and extends the expert communication skills that global managers need. Your students will build confidence through group interaction with new colleagues across the world, and develop a critical perspective through analysing organisational case studies. They will also learn the skills to participate in online forums and MBA residential schools.
For a full course description, visit
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/course/lb720.htm
This course develops written and spoken English communication skills in an MBA study context, and extends the expert communication skills that global managers need. Your students will build confidence through group interaction with new colleagues across the world, and develop a critical perspective through analysing organisational case studies. They will also learn the skills to participate in online forums and MBA residential schools.
For a full course description, visit
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/course/lb720.htm
Student Reviews
"This course has significantly contributed to my success in the other courses I completed at the same time... I began to see so many common mistakes in my every day communication skills and this caused me to really focus my attention on what I was producing, whether written, verbal or via emails."
LB160 Professional communication skills for business studies
Review posted: February 2009
"I've been asked twice this month by the national manager for a report and recommendations on complex situations 'on one or two sides of A4' and was able to do this with confidence."
LB160 Professional communication skills for business studies
Review posted: February 2010
"I would recommend LB160, Professional communications skills for business studies, to everyone who is starting to study for a Business Studies qualification... The course books introduced me to business documents, new vocabulary and how best to use it as well as revising English grammar and showing me how to write academic essays and business reports."
LB160 Professional communication skills for business studies
Review posted: December 2009
Contact Details
To discuss English language teaching material contact Joanna Ham at j.l.ham@open.ac.uk