Faculty of Engineering
Module Handbook
Module Name: Professional English for Engineering
2025
1. Introduction to the Module
Module Title: Business Communication
Year 01 Semester 01 Credit Points 03
1.0 Module Description
This module is a compulsory, credit module that aims to develop students’ level of English in order to
operate effectively in an academic context. Students will practice writing academic texts while
incorporating conventions in academic writing. They will also learn the use of the language in business
contexts.
1.1 Pre-requisites
None
1.2 Module Objective
Recognize, define, and apply the principles of academic writing and communication theory to improve
and nurture competence and knowledge of students to operate in an academic and professional
context.
1.3 Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module student will be expected to be able to;
ILO-1 Plan and structure their writing effectively and appropriately
ILO -2 Critically evaluate, edit and produce their own academic texts
ILO-3 Paraphrase, summarise, synthesise and use quotations to reference accurately
ILO – 4 Improve grammatical accuracy and vocabulary range
ILO - 5 Use conventions in academic writing appropriately and accurately
1.4 Delivery pattern
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Total Credit Points 03
Contact Hours 45
Practical/Tutorial Hours
Independent Study Hours 155
Total Learning Hours 200
1.0 Session Plan
Session/ Topic Cascading/Session Breakdown
Chapter
01 Introduction to Basic elements in business and academic writing
Academic &
Business Writing
02 Effective What is communication? / The Communication Model/ What
Communication is effective communication? / What is Strategic
Communication? /The Components of Effective
Communication
03 & 04 Barriers to Types of Barriers to Communication/Ways to Overcome
Communication, Barriers
Organizational Internal Communication/External Communication/Formal and
Communication Informal Communication/Use of Technology for
Communication in the Business World
06 Letter Writing Formal, Informal
Types of Formal Letters, General Format
07 Email Writing Format of Emails
Organizing Emails
Email Etiquettes
08 Meetings and Greetings & Courtesies
Official Meeting Etiquette
conversations Tackling a simple interview (interviewing a professional about
their organization to gather information etc.)
09 ESP 1 - Communicating Arithmetic operations and Algebraic
Terminology expressions in English
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10 ESP 2 - Communicating basic concepts in Chemistry and Physics
Terminology
11 & 12 Academic How to do an effective presentation.
Presentations How to make a PowerPoint presentation
How to do an effective online presentation
12 Process Writing Significance and the key elements in process writing
13 Paragraph Writing, Topic, Supporting, Concluding, and Transitioning Sentences,
Paraphrasing and Transition words/phrases, Hedging, Worksheet
Summarising Introduction to Paraphrasing and Summarising, Techniques of
Summarising, Short Film – Summarising the Story
14 Report Writing Key features of a report
Structure of a report
Language of reports (fact vs opinion etc.)
15 Referencing Introduction to Citation and Referencing
IEEE referencing style, In-text Citations, References List
3.0 Assessments
3.1 Assessment Details
Assessment Task Assessment Description Weighting (%)
Assignment 01 Spot Tests See detailed specifications below 20%
Assignment 02 Interviewing a See detailed specifications below 20%
Professional
Assignment 03 Poster See detailed specifications below 20%
Assignment 04 PPT See detailed specifications below 20%
Presentation
Assignment 05 Role play See detailed specifications below 20%
*Other relevant guidelines for the assessments will be given by the module lecturer.
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Assignment 1– Daily Submissions (20%)
The daily submissions will be given during the lecture sessions based on the lessons covered in the
module.
Assignment 2 – Interviewing a Professional (GROUP ASSIGNMENT) (20%)
Interview Duration : 15-20 minutes
Deadline :
Mode : Online (ZOOM)
Group size : 5-8 members (work to be divided)
You are required to;
Prior to the Interview:
1. Look up a professional of your choice on LinkedIn (you may contact this person via personal
contacts)- study his/her profile, and take down points of interest - places of work, positions held,
interests and extra curriculars etc.
2. Based on these points of interest, send an email to him/her, initiating the conversation with
something that sparked your interest in his/her LinkedIn profile. End the email by requesting a
convenient date and time for a ZOOM meeting to learn more about them and their experience
in the industry.
3. While you wait for a response, draft 5 potential questions that you would like to ask during the
interview. Submit these on NLEARN for feedback from your lecturer. The list of questions may
include:
3.1. What inspired you to join the X Industry?
3.2. What other interests do you have?
3.3. Who is your role model and why?
3.4. Advice for aspiring youth.
4. Once the questions are finalised and the meeting date is set. Practice how you would greet
him/her and conduct the interview.
During the Interview:
1. Initiate the conversation - Greet the professional, start off with general courtesies & small talk -
thank him/her for sparing his/her time, etc.
2. Inform the professional that you will be recording the interview for academic purposes. Once
permission is granted, start the record, and commence the interview proper.
3. Once the interview is complete - don’t forget to stop recording and thank the professional for
the opportunity in person.
After the interview:
1. Send an email officially thanking the professional once again.
2. Collate all the email correspondence with the professional into one PDF file (from the first mail
requesting appointment to the final mail thanking him/her). - SUBMIT to NLEARN
3. Upload the recording onto your ONE DRIVE- SUBMIT link to
NLEARN
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4. Write a reflective essay* (1000 words) on the process - SUBMIT to
NLEARN
*Your reflective essay should include the following points:
What (Description)
Recall the interview and write it down descriptively.
● What happened?
● Who was involved?
So what? (Interpretation)
Reflect and interpret the interview.
● What is the most important / interesting aspect of the interview?
● How is it similar to/different to what you have learnt/ already know on the topic?
What's next? (Outcome)
Conclude what you have learnt from the interview and how you can apply it.
● What have I learned?
● How can it be applied in the future?
Evaluation Criteria:
Conducting the Interview - Practical Component - 10%
Interviewer opens the interview with appropriate greeting (in a
professional manner), briefly introduces himself/herself, handles
Greetings & small talk, and smoothly transitions to the Interview proper
Introductions 2%
Interviewer politely questions the interviewee, does not rush or
interrupt the interviewee. And is able to smoothly go through the list
Question Delivery and of questions.
Transitions 3%
Interviewer ends the interview on a positive note, thanks
interviewee for time and opportunity.
Closing and Courtesies 2%
Interview carried conversation in English. The language used was well
structured, cohesive and comprehensive, with little to no
grammatical errors.
Use of Language 3%
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Conducting the Interview - Written Component - 10%
All components of the reflective essay are covered. Written in a
simple, cohesive manner, with little to no grammar errors.
Reflective Essay 10%
!!IMPORTANT!! Please note these professionals have volunteered their time to accommodate you, thus,
it is very important that you maintain professionalism and courtesy throughout the entire process.
Assignment 3 – Poster (20%)
Develop a poster for a tool/ machine in the laboratory explaining its parts/ operations. The guidelines
will be provided by the module lecturer.
Assignment 4– PowerPoint Presentation (20%)
Deadlines: Sessions 16 & 17 (Extra)
Presentation
Conduct a PPT presentation on a contemporary world issue.
Instructions:
- Duration of the presentation should be 15-20 minutes
- A group should consist of 5 - 8 members only (under no circumstances should a group exceed
more than 8 members)
- Use any other visual aids as appropriate
- A list including the names and student ID numbers of the group members should be handed to
the examiner on the day of the presentation. Please include each group member’s contribution
as well.
Evaluation Criteria - 20%
Presentation skills (body language, stage presence, presentation techniques) – 05%
individual component
Language and Speaking skills (grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, voice 05%
modulation, intonation) - individual component
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Structure and Content (group component) 05%
Creativity - Visual aids utilized 05%
Assignment 5– Roleplay (20%)
Conduct a roleplay on a negotiation scenario pertaining to a matter in the fields of business or
engineering. The module lecturer will provide further guidelines during the lecture sessions.
Preparation and Research 06%
Language and Speaking skills (grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, voice 05%
modulation, intonation) - individual component
Negotiation Strategy 03%
Creativity - Visual aids utilized 03%
Teamwork 03%
Feedback is an important element in this module. Each student/ group of students will be assessed as
per the criteria mentioned in the feedback form.
Feedback Form
Assignment:
No. Student Number Name Signature
01
02
03
3.3 Submission of Assessments
Student should ensure that all assessments are submitted with the completed assignment cover sheet as
appropriate to the School of Business Program Office on/ before the deadline. The assignment cover
sheet will be uploaded to the e-learning (LMS) system.
The report hardcopies should be prepared in an environmentally friendly form.
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3.4 Failure to meet the assessment deadlines
Any option for late assessment submission must be discussed and agreed upon with the module lecturer.
Student/s will be compromised with marks (lack of timeliness) otherwise.
3.5 Scholarly writing and plagiarism
Student should ensure use of proper referencing throughout all their work.
Accepted referencing guidelines – APA Format
Failure to acknowledge other’s work or coping is viewed as plagiarism and is not allowed. Any issues of
plagiarism and any form of academic dishonesty are treated very seriously.
4 Module Resources
4.1 Learning Management System
LMS is the main repository for module resources and it is important that you visit the module page
regularly.
4.2 Additional Reading
Monipally, M. & Pawar, B. S. (2010). Academic Writing: A Guide for Management Students and
Researchers, Response Books, New Delhi.
Giltrow, J. Gooding, R. Burgoyne, D. & Swatsky, M. (2009). Academic Writing: An Introduction (2nd
ed.). Broadview Press. Canada.
Hewings, M. (1999). Advanced English Grammar: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for
Advanced South Asian Students: With Answers. Cambridge University Press. New Delhi.
Bandara, R. (2008). A Practical Guide to Academic Writing. Karunarathne & Sons, Homagama.
Mascull, B. Business Vocabulary in use: Elementary to Pre –Intermediate (2nd ed.)
Swales, J. & Feak, C. (2011). Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills.
Ann Arbor: Michigan University Press.
Truss, L. 2004. Eats, Shoots & Leaves. London: Profile Books.
Ibbotson, M. (2010). Cambridge English for Engineering: [1]. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press.
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Ibbotson, M. (2009). Professional English in use: Technical English for Professionals. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press
Bhatnagar, N & Bhatnagar, M. (2010). Communicative English for Engineers and Professionals. Pearson
Education India
5.0 Module Delivery
Name E-mail
Module Lecturer Ms. Gayanthi Mendis Gayanthi.m@[Link]
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