Language Training and Professional Development Certificate Program for International Executives and Managers
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Global Business Communication (GBC) program provides English language training and professional development to international executives and managers who have an intermediate or higher level of English. The GBC program is designed for active professionals with business experience who seek to enhance their business English proficiency and business communication skills and to expand their cross-cultural business awareness for work in the international arena.
GBC is a non-degree certificate program for busy professionals who are willing to invest 8, 16 or 24 weeks for language and cross-cultural business communication training. In addition to practical classroom training, events such as business lectures, site visits, guest speakers, community activities, and individual/team action research projects are an integral part of the program. Through these activities, the GBC program puts participants in direct contact with the business community, building competence as well as confidence in doing business internationally.
The GBC program at the International English Center (IEC) is part of the University of Colorado at Boulder, one of the major research universities in the United States. GBC participants may be eligible to enroll in additional courses at the university.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The full 24-week program is offered three times a year: from June to December (Summer, Fall 1, Fall 2) or from January to August (Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer) or from March to October (Spring 2, Summer, Fall 1). Participants can join for one, two or for the full three session program.
Session |
Business Communication
Courses |
Related English Training |
| Fall 1 Spring 1 (8 Weeks) |
Business Writing Business Communication Cross-Cultural Communication Skills |
Reading/Writing |
| Fall 2 Spring 2 (8 Weeks) |
Business Writing Business Case Studies Business Presentations |
Reading/Writing |
| Summer
(8 Weeks) |
Business Writing Business Interactions Sustainable Business Practices |
Reading/Writing |
GBC COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Fall 1 and Spring 1
Business Writing begins with an overview of general business correspondence such as email and formal letter writing. The instructor then guides the participants through the process of preparing for and writing their individual Business Action Project reports. Participants narrow their topics, conduct background research on their topics of interest, discover and select appropriate business contacts, and write up their findings and conclusions. The session ends with each participant submitting the final written report.
Business Communication emphasizes effective spoken communication, focusing primarily on practicing language for business social situations such as meeting someone for the first time, engaging in small talk, networking, telephoning, and dining out. The goal of the course is to increase spoken fluency and listening comprehension for business purposes. Vocabulary building and pronunciation are integrated. The course also reviews the language the participants will need to interview business professionals. The participants visit various businesses related to their Business Action Project report and interview business professionals at these companies. The session ends with each participant presenting his/her Business Action Project, which will be digitally recorded and analyzed.
Cross-Cultural Communication Skills analyzes the role of culture in communicating with business people from other cultural backgrounds. Participants gain awareness of the effects of culture and an understanding of cross-cultural concepts through extensive discussion and reading. Participants learn to identify the major cultural characteristics that influence business practices and decisions around the world. Through discussion and role playing, participants gain insight into how to communicate effectively with business associates from different cultures. Participants explore the effects of culture in such areas as marketing strategies, negotiating, decision-making, leadership, and sales.
Fall 2 and Spring 2
Business Writing teaches participants to convey information in clear, concise language and to improve editing skills. Some of the types of writing participants complete include letters, emails, case study analyses, and business action proposals. The instructor then guides the participants through the process of preparing for and writing their team Business Action Project reports. Team members narrow their topics, conduct background research on their topics of interest, discover and select appropriate business contacts, and write up their findings and conclusions. The session ends with each team submitting the final written report.
Business Case Studies centers on analysis and discussion of case studies and participation in business meetings. Participants study useful interaction language for participating in and leading meetings based on the case studies. Meetings are digitally recorded so that students can evaluate their strengths and challenges. Participants continue to build vocabulary, spoken fluency, and listening comprehension, while paying more attention to accuracy.
Business Presentations focuses on building effective business presentation skills. It emphasizes both the language skills and delivery techniques needed for successful presentations. Participants give a variety of formal and informal presentations, which are digitally recorded to allow each participant to address his/her own challenges and gain confidence in speaking publicly in English. The final activity is a PowerPoint presentation of the participant’s findings from the Business Action Project.
Summer
Business Writing prepares participants to correspond with ease with American business professionals in the area of sustainable practices. In particular, specific vocabulary and word collocations related to sustainability will be discussed. Participants will also gain insight into the Boulder community through weekly readings in the Boulder Business Weekly publication. Finally, the instructor will guide the participants through the process of preparing a final project which will lead to increased awarness in the consciousness of people in their own company or country regarding sustainability.
Business Interactions focuses on effective communication and is geared towards discussion of sustainability. This course allows students to increase spoken fluency and listening comprehension for business purposes. Participants also engage in a practice business lunch which prepares them to host a lunch with a local business professional. Vocabulary building and pronunciation are integrated. Participants visit various businesses related to their final project and interview business professionals at these companies.
Sustainable Business Practices centers on analysis and discussion of case studies of companies in Boulder, the United States, and around the world that have "gone green." participants also study useful interaction language for participating in and leading meetings based on the case studies. Guest speakers from local sustainable businesses add a further dimension to the course.
BUSINESS ACTION PROJECT
Each session culminates in a research project. Participants carry out the project under the supervision of an advisor. All GBC participants develop a project plan and conduct a research project. Participants choose a topic of interest to them, conduct background research, meet with business and community contacts to gather information on their topics, and present their findings in formal presentations and written reports. Fall 1 and Spring 1 is an individual research project, Fall 2 and Spring 2 is a team research project, and Summer focuses on sustainable business.A TYPICAL WEEK
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
|
9:00-9:50 am |
Business Interactions: Practice Intonation with Questions |
Business Interactions: Telephone Local Businesses |
Business Interactions: Practice Interviewing |
Business Interactions: Deliver Impromptu Speeches |
Business Interactions: Study Business Idioms |
10:00 -10:50 am |
Case Studies and Negotiations: Read Case Study on KFC* and the Japanese Market |
Case Studies and Negotiations: Guest Speaker from IBM |
Case Studies and Negotiations: Prepare for KFC* Meeting |
Case Studies and Negotiations: Use Interaction Language to discuss Editorial |
Case Studies and Negotiations: Lead (and videotape) Meeting on KFC* |
11:00 - 11:50 am |
Business Writing:Perform Database Research on companies |
Business Writing: Write Interview Questions |
Business Writing: Paragraph Development |
Business Writing: PowerPoint Tips |
Business Writing: Write Thank You Letters to Companies |
12:00 - 12:50 pm |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Networking Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
1:00 - 2:50 pm |
Reading/Writing: Discuss Reading on Renewable Energy |
Reading/Writing: Do Vocabulary Relay |
Reading/Writing: Write Analytic Summary on Text Book Reading |
Reading/Writing: Peer Reveiw of Analytic Summaries |
Independent Research in Computer Lab |
3:00 - 5:00 pm |
Meet with Conversation Partner |
Visit Boulder Chamber of Commerce |
Team Meeting |
Interview at Ball Aerospace |
Hike in the Boulder Foothills |
Evening |
Practice Telephoning Skills |
Network with MBA Students |
Attend Lecture Presented by Local Entrepreneur |
Etiquette Dinner |
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible participants must have business or professional experience and an intermediate or advanced level of English.ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE OPPORTUNITIES
GBC participants have the opportunity to additional workshops and seminars on business topics of interest to them through the University of Colorado Division of Continuing Education as well as local professional development organizations.
GBC participants can choose to participate in the Conversation Partners program which matches a participant with a university or Boulder community member for conversation practice and cross-cultural sharing. Other opportunities include professional organization contacts, public receptions, public speaking, business lunches and interviews.
FACULTY
The IEC faculty has vast experience in teaching business English and business communication. That experience includes extended teaching in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. In addition, the IEC faculty have designed and implemented various specialized professional programs, including programs for international executives and managers.
LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS
GBC participants have three housing options: staying in a hotel, staying in the university dormitories (double-occupancy), or renting an apartment. Please contact gbc@colorado.edu for more information.THE CITY OF BOULDER
Boulder, Colorado is an ideal environment for the GBC training, with its beautiful surroundings, a myriad of cultural and recreational offerings, and a strong, high-tech business climate. The city is surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Rocky Mountains and is only a short drive away from some of the most spectacular scenery and ski resorts in the United States. Boulder is a safe city with a population of 100,000 and features a charming downtown shopping district and over 250 resturants offering some of the finest American and international cuisine. Denver, a mere 25 miles and a convenient bus connection away from Boulder, provides additional cultural and business resources. Boulder’s climate is temperate with an average of 300 days of sunshine each year.
The University of Colorado at Boulder is within easy access of such firms as IBM, Qualcomm, Level 3 Communications, Pharmaca, Qwest Communications, and Ball Aerospace as well as governmental agencies such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
PROGRAM COST
| PROGRAM COST |
||
| Fees and Expenses | 16-Week |
8-Week |
| Nonrefundable Application Processing Fee (MUST accompany application) |
$100 |
$100 |
| Express Mail Charge (MUST accompany application) | $54 |
$54 |
| Tuition | $7,100 |
$3,550 |
| Student Fees (mandatory) | $380 |
$190 |
| Housing and Meals (estimated) | $5,800 |
$3,000 |
| Health Insurance (see Application Instructions) | $420 |
$210 |
| Personal expenses, books and supplies (estimated) | $1,400 |
$800 |
| Estimated total amounts per session | $15,254.00 |
$7,958.00 |
CALENDAR
2009 |
|
| Dates | Session |
| January 7 - March 4*** | Spring 1 |
| March 5 - May 7**** | Spring 2 |
June 3 - July 31* |
Summer |
August 19 - October 14 |
Fall 1 |
October 15 - December 17 ** |
Fall 2 |
2010 |
|
| January 6 - March 3, 2010 *** | Spring 1 |
| March 4 - May 6 **** | Spring 2 |
| June 2 - July 31* | Summer |
| August 18 - October 13 | Fall 1 |
| October 14 - December 16 ** | Fall 2 |
2011 |
|
| January 5 - March 2 *** | Spring 1 |
| March 3 - May 5 **** | Spring 2 |
** 2009 Thanksgiving Holiday - November 23 - 27
** 2010 Thanksgiving Holiday - November 22 - 26
*** January 19, 2009 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
*** January 18, 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
**** 2009 University Spring Break March 23 - 27
* 2009 Independance Day July 4, observed July 3
**** 2010 University Spring Break March 22 - 26
* 2010 Independance Day July 4, observed July 5
**** 2011 University Spring Break March 21 - 25
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM (new application)
CONTACT US
Global Business Communication Program
International English Center
Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies
University of Colorado at Boulder
63 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0063, USAGBC Telephone: 303-735-2979
GBC/IEC Fax: 303-492-5515
GBC Coordinators:Barbara Flocke and Susan Fouts, GBC@Colorado.edu
GBC Website: www.colorado.edu/iec/gbc
02/2009
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