Professional Business English & Communication Program: A 5-Month Guide for University Students

1. Program Introduction & Benefits

This program is a comprehensive, 5-month professional communication accelerator designed specifically for university students. It integrates evidence-based pedagogical frameworks—Content-Based Instruction (CBI), Task-Based Learning (TBL), and Project-Based Learning (PBL)—to move beyond general English. The curriculum immerses students in authentic business contexts, using real-world tasks like email writing, meeting simulations, case study analysis, and professional presentations to build fluency, confidence, and workplace-ready communication skills.

Strategic Benefits for University Students:

1. Enhanced Employability & Internship Readiness: Students graduate with a demonstrable portfolio of professional communication artifacts (emails, reports, presentations) and the practical language skills to excel in interviews, internships, and early-career roles.
2. Academic-Professional Bridge: The program directly applies language learning to students' majors and future careers through business cases and projects, making learning relevant and increasing motivation.
3. Development of Critical Soft Skills: Beyond language, students cultivate essential 21st-century skills including teamwork, problem-solving, diplomatic communication, and cross-cultural awareness through collaborative projects and simulations.
4. Increased Confidence and Autonomy: A structured yet supportive environment with low-stakes practice, personalized coaching (GROW model), and reflective tasks empowers students to take ownership of their professional communication development.

2. Program Expansion Strategy

Evaluation & Proposed Addition: The primary program is a Training Program. While the core is robust, integrating a supplemental Mentorship layer would significantly enhance outcomes by providing personalized guidance, real-world context, and professional networking.

Value Addition: A mentorship component addresses the key challenge of students' limited real-world business experience. Mentors (alumni or young professionals) can:

• Provide context and feedback on the authenticity of communication tasks.
• Share industry-specific communication norms and cultural insights.
• Offer career guidance and expand students' professional networks.
• Increase student motivation and accountability through a supportive, one-on-one relationship.

Implementation Note: Implement a light-touch, structured mentorship program alongside the core curriculum. Pair students with alumni or partner-company professionals for bi-monthly virtual meetings. Conversations can be guided by program milestones (e.g., reviewing a draft email, practicing a presentation, discussing a case study). This requires a dedicated program manager for matching, providing mentor guidelines, and monitoring engagement.

3. Implementation Roadmap

Launch Phase Checklist

1. Needs & Level Assessment: Administer a diagnostic test (CEFR-aligned) and a needs analysis survey to all enrolled students.
2. Cohort Structuring: Group students based on diagnostic results and academic majors to balance proficiency levels and interests.
3. Resource Preparation: Curate all authentic materials (case studies, sample emails, reports), create project briefs, and set up all digital platforms (LMS, tools).
4. Kick-off Workshop: Conduct an orientation session to set expectations, introduce the GROW model for personal goal setting, and build cohort cohesion.
5. Mentor Onboarding: If implementing the mentorship layer, recruit, train, and match mentors with mentees before Module 2 begins.

Tracking & Operations

• Weekly Cadence: Follow a flipped classroom model. Students prepare with input materials (videos, readings) via the LMS before live sessions. Live sessions are dedicated to interactive practice: role-plays, project work, case discussions, and presentations.
• Progress Tracking: Use the LMS gradebook to track assignment completion and performance task scores. Maintain a simple dashboard for program managers showing cohort progress against milestones (e.g., % completing Milestone 1 tasks).
• Feedback Loops: Implement weekly reflective journals (submitted via LMS) and schedule brief, bi-monthly coaching tutorials (using the GROW model) to discuss individual progress.
• Mentorship Coordination: Use dedicated software to track mentor-mentee meeting frequency and provide discussion guides aligned with program modules.

Success Measurement

Quantitative KPIs:

1. Proficiency Gain: 80% of students show a minimum +0.5 CEFR level improvement from pre- to post-program assessment.
2. Performance Achievement: 90% of students achieve a "Competent" score (3/5 or higher) on the final capstone presentation rubric.
3. Program Completion: 85% cohort completion rate (submission of final portfolio).
4. Transfer Indicator: 70% of students report using program skills in an internship, part-time job, or other academic course within 3 months of program end.

Qualitative Feedback Mechanisms:

1. Mid-point and Final Surveys: Measure confidence levels in specific skills (email, meetings, presentations) using Likert scales and open-ended questions.
2. Portfolio Assessment: Evaluate the final professional communication portfolio for growth in complexity, accuracy, and professionalism.
3. Stakeholder Interviews: Conduct short interviews with a sample of mentors and faculty advisors to gather anecdotal evidence of skill transfer and behavioral change.

4. Approved Tools List

• LMS (Learning Management System): Primary Tool. This is non-negotiable for delivering flipped classroom content (videos, readings), hosting discussion forums, collecting assignments (journals, emails, reports), administering assessments, and tracking grades/completion. It centralizes all learning materials and student progress data.
• Internal Social Network: Secondary Tool. To foster a community of practice beyond the classroom. Students can use it for peer support, forming project teams, sharing useful resources, and engaging in informal English communication. It supports the "20% social" component of the 70-20-10 model.
• Mentorship Software: Conditional Tool. Essential only if the mentorship expansion layer is implemented. It streamlines mentor-mentee matching, provides structured meeting agendas, facilitates scheduling, and allows for tracking of mentorship relationships and feedback.

5. Resource & Content Library

General Program Content

• Video Library: "Anatomy of a Professional Email," "Running Effective Meetings in English," "Storytelling with Data in Presentations," "Case Study Analysis Walkthrough," "Pronunciation for Clarity: Stress and Intonation."
• Article & Guide Library: "Formal vs. Semi-Formal Register in Business Writing," "Useful Phrases for Diplomacy and Hedging," "Structure of a One-Page Business Report," "Understanding Corporate Culture through Communication," "Building Your Professional Online Presence (LinkedIn)."
• Authentic Material Bank: Redacted sample emails (various purposes), real company press releases, excerpts from annual reports, short business case studies (Harvard Business Publishing, The Case Centre), TED Talks on business topics.
• Templates & Checklists: Email template bank, meeting agenda/minutes template, presentation storyboard canvas, peer feedback form for presentations.

Supplemental Mentoring Content Table

To support mentors in adding value to the primary program goal, provide them with the following guides:

Mentoring Session Focus	Suggested Content for Mentor (Soft Skill Guide)	Suggested Discussion Prompt for Student Pair
Reviewing Professional Writing	"How to Give Constructive Feedback on Writing"	"Here is an email I drafted for the Module 1 task. Can we review it for tone and clarity?"
Preparing for a Simulation	"Active Listening for Understanding"	"I'm nervous about the mock negotiation. Can we role-play a scenario where I need to disagree politely?"
Debriefing a Case Study	"Asking Powerful Questions to Drive Critical Thinking"	"My team was divided on the case solution. How would you approach weighing the different options?"
Career Pathway Discussion	"Guidance vs. Advice: Coaching Techniques for Mentors"	"How do the communication skills we practice in class actually apply in your day-to-day work?"
Building a Professional Network	"The Art of Informational Interviewing"	"Can we practice my elevator pitch for a networking event I'm attending next month?"