September 2018

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong Community College

Subject Description Form

Subject Code CCN1005

Subject Title English for Academic Studies (Business) I

Level 1

Credit Value 3

Medium of English
Instruction

Pre-requisite / Pre-requisite
Co-requisite/ Level 3 or above in HKDSE English Language; or its equivalents
Exclusion

Objectives This subject aims to help students acquire English language competence
required to study effectively in a post-secondary, English-medium
learning environment. Attention is given to developing students’
competence in English and to helping students adjust to studying in a
post-secondary, English-medium learning environment. Where possible
and appropriate, teaching materials relevant to topics in business will be
used.

Intended Learning Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:
Outcomes
(a) deliver effective oral presentations for academic purposes.

(b) summarise and paraphrase ideas.

(c) research for information, integrate ideas, and document sources

properly for academic purposes.

(d) apply comprehension skills to improve understanding of academic

materials.

(e) write short, structured academic essays.

(f) carry out self-directed English learning activities for individual

academic needs.

(g) explain the importance of upholding academic integrity.

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Subject Synopsis/ Speaking Skills

Indicative Syllabus Oral presentations (on business topics): planning, preparation, delivery,
question-handling.

Writing Skills
Summarising and paraphrasing skills; Introduction to essay writing;
Process approach for writing a short, structured academic essay (on a
business topic), e.g. description or exposition; Skills for writing and
revising sentences.

Research Skills
Library research and online research; Awareness of plagiarism;
Documentation of sources of information, e.g. APA style; Reliability of
sources.

Comprehension Skills
Reading and listening skills for academic purposes; Academic and
business vocabulary development; Use of dictionaries.

Self-directed Learning Development

Introduction to self-directed learning resources; Reflection, planning and
practice in self-directed learning for continuous improvement.

Academic Integrity
Awareness of the importance of academic integrity; Good practices to
avoid academic misconduct and plagiarism.

Teaching/Learning Students will be required to participate actively in the learning process.

Methodology During seminars, students will take part in a wide range of interesting and
challenging language learning activities such as role-plays and
discussions, which reflect students’ needs in their academic studies in
college. In particular, students will be required to plan and collaborate
with peers in a team project/assignment which will give them an
opportunity to experience learning from peers as well. In addition,
students will be required to complete an Online Tutorial on Academic
Integrity.

Audio-visual materials will be used to improve students’ listening and

speaking skills, and an online learning platform will be used as a tool to
promote extended learning after class. Students are also encouraged to
engage in self-directed learning, e.g. materials and activities offered by
self-learning language centres, and English-medium daily activities, to
develop their academic English skills for lifelong learning needs.
Through extensive interactive practices, this subject helps students gain
mastery of the language skills needed for effective academic
communication.

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Assessment A variety of assessment tools will be used to develop and assess students’
Methods in achievement of the subject intended learning outcomes.
Alignment with
Intended Learning Specific assessment % Intended subject learning
Outcomes methods/tasks weighting outcomes to be assessed

a b c d e f g

Continuous Assessment* 100

 Online Tutorial on Pass or

     
Academic Integrity# Fail

 Writing Task
30   
(Individual)

 Test (Individual) 35   

 Oral Presentation
(10% Group + 25   
15% Individual)

 Self-directed Learning
5      
Portfolio (Individual)

 Participation
5 
(Individual)

Total 100
*Continuous assessment items and/or weighting may be adjusted by the subject
team subject to the approval of the College Programme Committee.

To pass this subject, students are required to obtain Grade D or above in

the Continuous Assessment.
#
The Online Tutorial on Academic Integrity is part of the subject
completion requirement. Students who fail this assessment item will fail
this subject.

Student Study Class contact Hours

Effort Expected
 Seminar 39

Other student study effort

 Self-study 53

 Continuous Assessment 43

Total student study effort 135

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Reading List and Recommended Textbook

References
College English. (2018). Hong Kong, China: Cengage Learning.

References

Bailey, S. (2015). Academic writing: A handbook for international

students (4th ed.). New York: Routledge.

Capel, W., Flockhart, J., & Robbins, S. (2012). Business vocabulary in

practice (3rd ed.). London: HarperCollins.

Legg, M. (2017). Academic English: Skills for success (Rev. 2nd ed.).
Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.

McCarthy, M., & O’ Dell, F. (2016). Academic vocabulary in use (2nd

ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Reinhart, S. M. (2013). Giving academic presentations (2nd ed.). Ann

Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

Swan, M., & Walter, C. (2011). Oxford English grammar course:

Advanced. Oxford: Oxford University Press.