How We Should Be Teaching Business Communication According to Findings of Writing Research
Although instructors of written business communication courses try to help students refine their writing, many instructors have had only limited-if any formal instruction in writing pedagogy. Familiarity with the pedagogy of writing will enable business communication instructors to help students improve their writing skills, especially students whose skills are substandard. When students’ writing skills are substandard, the writing process must also receive its fair share of attention. Regardless of how well students master the content and structure fundamentals of various types of business documents, the effectiveness of the material they write will be diminished when their writing skills are deficient.
Contrasting views of business students’ writing needs in an EFL environment
Abstract This paper reports on a study of business student and faculty views at the Lebanese American University as to the students’ language proficiency levels, writing in particular, and what the specific writing needs are in order for students to be effective in their course work. The role of the English and business faculty is also investigated. English for specific purposes (ESP) research has indicated that although both faculty and students consider writing skills important, students’ English proficiency is not always up to the level needed to cope with the various writing genres required. Helping students raise their writing proficiency level has been the role of the English teacher; however, recent research in the field shows that students would benefit from the cooperation between the business and English faculty towards this end. Findings indicate that students perceive their writing skills as more satisfactory than faculty do, differ on what writing tasks are necessary, but agree that both the business and English faculty should cooperate in the teaching of English. Implications are drawn for ongoing cooperation in the teaching/learning of writing between the business discipline and the English as a Foreign language classroom.
The Problems and Opportunities in Developing International Business Programs
This paper discusses the results of a survey conducted among AACSB member schools. The survey dealt with two major topical areas. These were (a) what types of International Business programs currently exist in AACSB Schools, and (b) problems associated with these programs. The paper also suggests countries that offer opportunities to Colleges of Business to pursue countty-specific programs.