Business English 2023/2024 cohort 2022 and

February 2023
This information is for students who started their study in September 2022 or February 2023
Elements of programme Business English:

Programme Business English

All these four elements need to be sufficient in order to complete Business English:

Level 1

You were expected to complete the Hogeschooltaal test and writing dossier last study year:

 Hogeschooltaal test
 Writing dossier

Level 2

You need to complete the essay and debate this study year:

 Argumentative essay
 Debate

Level 1
If you have not rounded off the level 1 English programme, please do so as soon as possible.

WRITING DOSSIER
Writing skills
You write professional products, so you can learn to communicate at a professional level.

The writing dossier consists of 6 writing products.

Assessment
You can submit your writing dossier on the Blackboard page of your Learning Community, under RHH,
professional assignments. The deadlines are announced on Blackboard, After the deadline, the
assessor has three weeks to assess your essay. You can submit your essay between deadlines, but
then it will probably take longer for your essay to be assessed.

Assignments writing dossier

1. Introduction
 IBC structure
Intro: catchy/creative opening (anecdote, quote, motto)
Body: information about yourself
Conclusion: future / expectations

2. LinkedIn profile
• Professional profile picture
• Suitable background
• Well written ‘about’ summary: you can check the criteria for this and sample sentences on
Hogeschooltaal

3. Curriculum Vitae
Read the information on Hogeschooltaal and apply this!
Attractive lay-out with a clear division between sections
Clear contact information and a professional profile picture
Attention-drawing personal profile text
Detailed and well-structured education and work experience sections
Skills (language with levels and ICT) and interests (only relevant) sections

4. professional email
IBC structure
Read the information on Hogeschooltaal and apply this!
To-the-point subject line
Professional salutation
Clear opening paragraph (reason, topic and aim of email)
Thorough body paragraph(s) (detailed information and background information)
Satisfying final remarks paragraph (call to action and courteous closing)
Choose from the following topics:

5. Mini-report
• At least 400 words
• IBC structure
• Introduction, 2 or 3 body paragraphs, conclusion
• Introduction ends with a thesis statement
• Body paragraphs start with topic sentences and end with closing sentences
• Body paragraphs are divided in themes
• Conclusion ends with a recommendation or expectation
 • Formal language
• Reference list with 3 or 4 sources and in-text references APA style
Choose one of these topics:

FOOD WASTE IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

HUMAN TRAFFICKING WITHIN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
INCLUSION IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
MODERN SLAVERY IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND THE REDUCTION OF MEAT CONSUMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE WITHIN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
THE FUTURE OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY POST-COVID
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRENDS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
6. Reflection
IBC structure
At least 300 words
In-depth
Examples
Plan for future improvement

Hogeschooltaal test
Grammar and vocabulary
You learn about grammatical structures and acquire new vocabulary, so that you can use the English
language at a professional and academic level.

Test
You do the Hogeschooltaal test English at B2 level. You have three attempts per study year.

You can enrol for the Hogeschooltaal test via Progress. You need to have an account on
Hogeschooltaal.

You have to buy the practice programme on www.hogeschooltaal.nl, which costs 55 euro.

Information about Hogeschooltaal

Via the online learning programme Hogeschooltaal English, you can enhance your grammar and
vocabulary skills. Tests are taken via Hogeschooltaal and you do practice tests to track your progress.
There are instructive videos with explanations on grammar, writing modules for writing
reports, professional emails, executive summaries, argumentative essays and writing about
graphs and tables, motivation letters, CVs, job application letters and LinkedIn profiles.

Account
All students need an account for Hogeschooltaal. You will receive instructions via your English
teachers and the Test Office.
For doing the tests, you can create a free account.
For the practice programme, you buy an account.

Hogeschooltaal test
You need a score of at least 80 percent to pass this test. The test will be offered at least twice per
semester. You can enrol via Progress

Website
www.hogeschooltaal.nl

Level 2
Argumentative essay
Writing
You learn to write a five paragraph argumentative essay , so you can write in a structured and
coherent manner.
The argumentative essay has to be about 600 to 800 words, with APA referencing.

Topics

Use one of the following research questions:

 To what extent are intercultural competences important within the hospitality industry?
 To what extend did the covid pandemic have a positive/negative influence on the hospitality
industry?
 How viable is it for the hospitality industry to implement sustainable practices?
 How important is it for the hospitalilty industry to follow food and beverages trends?
 In what ways iwill Artificial intelligence continue to impact the hospitality industry?
 How important are financial knowledge and skills for a hospitality manager?
 How important s reputation management for the hospitality industry?
 In what ways can the hospitality industry attract staff?
 In what ways can the hospitality industry retain staff?
 How can the hospitality industry balance personalizing guest experience versus invasion of
privacy?

Criteria

 600 - 800 words

 Argumentative
 5 paragraphs
 IBC structure (introduction, body, conclusion)
 6-8 sources
Introduction

 Hook
 Background information
 Debatable thesis statement

Body

 3 body paragraphs: the first two body paragraphs support the thesis statement and the third body
paragraph provided counter argument(s) and refutation
 Topic sentences
 Explanations of statements, examples, elaborations
 Evidence (with in-text APA references)

https://bibliotheek.nhlstenden.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Bibliotheek/Documenten/2021-11-
22__APA_style_quick_guide_ENG_-_aanpassing_naar_APA7.pdf

 Closing sentences

Conclusion

 Link to thesis statement

 Summary of main points
 Final expectation / recommendation

Include:

 Name, student number, learning community and cohort, indication of 1st or 2nd attempt with feedback
 Key cards of 4-5 academic referenced sources
 Reference list (including 6 to 8 sources)

Please only use academic sources written in English.

Authenticity
All writing products required as a mandatory datapoint must be written in your own words and all sources must
be referenced.

Prerequisites
You must include the following elements before you hand in your essay: Name, student number, learning
community and cohort, indication of 1st or 2nd attempt (with feedback), 5 paragraphs, debatable thesis statement,
topic sentences, APA in-text references, 4-5 key cards, APA reference list (6-8 sources)

Assessment
You can submit your argumentative essay for assessment in the following way:

1. SHM Semester 1 students – Grade centre of your Learning Community

2. SHM Semester 2 students – SHM BB course of your Learning Community.
The deadlines are announced on Blackboard. After deadlines, assessors have three weeks to assess the essay. You
can submit in between deadlines, but then it will probably take longer for your essay to be assessed.

Research Key Card

Student Name: Teacher’s name:

Topic:

Type of source: (journal article/book/newspaper/etc.) Page #:

APA Reference List Citation:

Original Text (2-3 sentences maximum):

Paraphrase & APA In-text Citation (1-2 sentences maximum):

Debate
Speaking
You learn to carry out a debate with a partner on a hospitality related topic, so you can orally present
arguments and speak at an academic level.

The debate is 12 to 15 minutes, in pairs.

Debate topics

Topics you can choose from:

 The elimination of food waste within the hospitality industry will have a profound impact on global
hunger and malnutrition
 As a means of achieving the SDGs by 2030 college students and millennials should refuse travel by
plane
 As a means of achieving the SDGs by 2030 college students and millennials should stop eating meat and
follow a plant-based diet
 As a means of achieving the SDGs by 2030 college students and millennials should stop traveling to
poor, remote countries for vacation
 The hospitality industry has, by the mere nature of it, a responsibility towards refugees.
 Airbnbs have a positive impact on cities and should be supported by local governments.
 Criteria

 In pairs
 12 – 15 minutes

Structure

 5 rounds debate structure

 ARE structure
 Refutation model

Content

 One student is in favour and the other student against the debate statement (you will find out which side
you are on at the beginning of the debate). You have to prepare for both sides)
 3 arguments in favour of the debate statement and 3 counter arguments
 3 arguments against the debate statement and 3 counter arguments

Language

 Debate phrases
 Linking words

Include:

 Printed key cards with all arguments and counter arguments (show to assessor before the debate),
reference sources
 Upload individual debate assessment form and key cards before the debate

Authenticity
You have to speak spontaneously and in a natural manner. You can look at your key cards to refresh your
memory.

Assessment
Your English teacher will inform you of how you and your partner can enrol for the debate.

A-R-E Model Form

Name:
Debate Topic: Pro/Con: (circle one)

Assertion: (a statement or claim)

Reasoning: “Because…”

Evidence: “According to Barnes (2016), the impact of…”

ARE structure

A – Assertion a claim about the world, or a simple statement

R – Reasoning the “because” part of the argument

E – Evidence the proof, usually presented as an example,

statistics, research results, etc

4-step refutation model

Step 1: “My opponent says…”

Step 2: “But I disagree…”

Step 3: “Because…”

Step 4: “Therefore…”

5 rounds debate structure

1. 1st Round: Affirmative Speaker: A. introduces the debate statement/topic and clearly explains and
defines it. B. delivers his/her own arguments

2. 2nd Round: Negative Speaker: A. Introduces themselves and their side of the debate topic. B.
refutes affirmative speaker’s arguments (offering direct refutation using 4-step structure) C.
delivers his/her own arguments

3. 3rd Round: Affirmative Speaker: A. refutes negative speaker’s arguments (offering direct
refutation using 4-step structure)

4. 4th Round: Negative Speaker: summarizes own arguments and counter-arguments

5. 5th Round: Affirmative Speaker: summarizes own arguments and counter-arguments

Regular BA students
Level 1
Hogeschooltaaltest: Learning Outcome 1.1, CHP
Writing dossier: Learning Outcome 5.1, RHH
Level 2
Argumentative essay and debate: Learning Outcome 1.2, SHM
MOH 30 students
Level 1
Hogeschooltaal test and Writing dossier: Learning Outcome 5.1, RHH
Level 2
Argumentative essay and debate: Learning Outcome 1.2, SHM

MOH 60 students
Level 1
Hogeschooltaal test and Writing dossier: Learning Outcome 5.1, RHH
Level 2
Argumentative essay and debate: Learning Outcome 5.2, EHL
Fast Track
Level 1
Hogeschooltaal test and Writing dossier: Learning Outcome 1.1, CHP
Level 2
Argumentative essay and debate: Learning Outcome 1.2, SHM