FAQs

Especially Important points are in red.

This is pretty long, but PLEASE READ ALL OF IT.

Question 1. Who is the course for?

A:   It's actually for students at the University of Applied Sciences (BHT) Berlin, but anyone who happens to stumble across the website is welcome to look around.

Q 2. What level of English proficiency is targeted?

A: Since "Business English for Engineers" is a sub-species of "English for Special Purposes" (ESP), some ESP assumptions have been adhered to in putting the course together. In particular, participants are expected to have at least an "intermediate" level of fluency, which is roughly equivalent to what's known here in Germany as Abiturenglisch.

Since the class is only 90 minutes once a week, it seems better (to me at least) to try to use as much English as possible.

Q 3. Is there a theory behind the course?

A: Sort of.  Many language teachers - including me - believe that creating an environment in which learners use the "target language" (in this case English) to perform tasks is one of the best ways to develop language skills. Some people call it "learning by doing".

One more thing: one of the basic requirements of a modern language course is that the teacher recognize and address the individual learning needs / styles of the students.

I've designed the structure of this course - in which the students have an hour or so each class to work independently on the computer - to give a student or a group of students the opportunity to address comments / questions / suggestions directly to me (during the class or via email), and I will do my best to deal with each of these adequately. Of course, part of the participant's job is to follow up on her / his question if s/he isn't satisfied with my reply.  

Q 4. What is the role / function of the Internet in this course?

A: We'll use the Internet to get a wide range of information about Business English, especially vocabulary, which will be discussed in class and form the real focus of the work.  

The nice thing about the Internet is that - because there's so much information available - it allows flexibility so that each student can find something that's of particular interest to her or him.

I've tried to identify a number of links for each class that will give you a pretty wide choice of things to look at. You can read, look at graphics with explanations, and even listen to explanations of Business English terms made by practicing Engineers and other scientists.  

Q 5. Yes, but how can the Internet help me learn English? Or even, can it really help me learn English?

A: About all I can say is that I think It depends on you and your effort. Generally speaking, people who have a goal and work hard to reach it, reach it. If you want to improve your knowledge of "technical" English and actively participate in this course, it seems pretty sure your English will improve. In this class the Internet is a supplementary tool, like a textbook. It is not a magic bullet.

How much better your English will be when you finish the course is a tough one to call. (That means "it's hard to predict".) One thing for sure, though, is that you'll have had a lot of exposure to material - especially written material - about Business English in English. What you do with it depends on you.

Q 6. How much do I have to know about computers and the Internet?

A: You have to have an email account somewhere, and know the basics of how to use it. Some experience "surfing" (using a www browser like Netscape Navigator®, Microsoft Internet Explorer®, or Opera®) is also necessary because this is an English class, NOT a class in how to use the Internet.

Of course you will get the information you need about using the Net in order to do the activities. If you ever have a problem, please feel free to ask me. If there's something I don't know (which is very likely), one of your classmates probably will. 

Q 7. All this has been wonderfully informative, but what're we actually going to do in class?

A:  I was getting to that. The module description focuses on general skills related to the world of business for which English is often required.

As mentioned in the description, the emphasis in regard to writing will include an application letter and a c.v. To practice speaking, we'll do some interview questions and you have to give a brief presentation.   

Since this course is an "Übung", the activities will involve practicing both the writing and listening/speaking as much as possible.

Q 8. Hmmmm. What are you talking about? Would you please be kind enough to explain what I have to do to pass this course?

A: Good questions. For the answer please click the word HERE in the red rectangle below.

Q 9. How did you come up with this crazy idea?

A: It wasn't easy. If you want to see how you will be graded, click:

8. Q: Can I ask more questions?

A: You can ask me by email at , or if it's SUPER urgent, call me at 451 9533 before 10 P.M.

Now, please go back to the Activities for Day 01.