Teaching

The demanding and fast-paced world of global business requires graduates who have a robust set of tools that range from technical skills to management and communication competencies. Both soft skills and hard skills are important in business. Even though technical skills are usually given more weight when generally speaking about business, and communication skills take a back seat as they are assumed to be universally understood, we find that it is the lack of effective communication, rather than lack of technical ability that can lead to problems—and sometimes critical or disastrous— in business . This translates into a need for students to take classes that include training for communication competencies. Taking these classes will lead to diverse and flexible graduates – who adapt and communicate in many situations giving them a competitive edge over other job seekers. In the Global Business World, this communication happens many times in English.

Here in Korea, we are very good at learning to take English tests as it is a big industry . However, learners seem to have trouble using the English outside of these tests . So, to help students to transition their English use and focus from a test-taking discipline to a comprehensive communication discipline using English as a Lingua Franca, I design my classes to include many aspects of experiential and active learning, with the goal of the students producing and communicating in English. I see my role as an instructor as more of a communication coach.

These classes even though are taught in English, are not ESL classes but communication competency classes focused on practicing the ‘why’ of using English. The classes are communication workshops designed to help break through personal barriers and fears, increase confidence, and develop strong communication competencies — by using the individual voice of the students.

Passionate about the goals and dreams of my students, the class objectives are structured to help students attain transferable skills they can take with them into the professional world.

Business Writing (비즈니스 영작)

This communication skills class seeks to improve a student’s business written communication skills; skills that are also transferable to a student’s first language interactions. Students will step away from using English as a test-taking discipline and begin using English as a communication tool, or lingua franca. The purpose of this course is to practice English communication in a business and professional context, allowing students to strengthen their writing, speaking, analyzing, and critical thinking skills

This is a challenging class and writing intensive. Students will practice drafting and writing clear concise business messages throughout the semester. Students will learn to strategize the contents of a message by focusing on the receiver/reader and develop techniques and strategies to influence the interaction for the most effective business outcome.

As Dr. Mary Ellen Guffey, a well-known business communication scholar and author of the textbook points out, “Generally, employers want new hires to be competent in four major communication skills: writing, speaking, analyzing data, and thinking critically.”   Upon completion of this class, students can expect to have improved their business writing and communication skills which are necessary to be successful in the global workplace.

Speech and Presentation (발표와 연설)

Strong speaking skills are a highly valued attribute for employers in today’s global environment. Our top executives confirm this, an article in Forbes touted that Warren Buffet, a famous business tycoon, has said his only diploma that is hanging in his office is the one from a public speaking course . The same article quotes an HR professionals survey that says “given two candidates of equal qualifications, the one who has better “oral communication skills” would be the one they’d choose to hire” . The goal of this class is to equip students to gain these kinds of skills. We learn to communicate effectively through speeches and presentations. The secret of this class is that students will become more confident and fluent in their spoken conversational English.

This class as a presentation workshop and students will learn-by-doing. All speeches will be delivered without a microphone or memorization, and Some speeches will be delivered without the aid of Powerpoint slides (ppt). The focus of the class instead is on the structure and delivery of the message and speaking naturally. This skills-based class seeks to improve a student’s spoken English communication skills.

Upon completion of this class, students can expect to have improved speech and communication skills–and as a result, general speaking confidence. Becoming more proficient speakers in various situations and better prepared for the working world.

Interpersonal Business Communication (비즈니스 소통)

The ability to communicate effectively face to face and work well with others in business interactions are important skills that we sometimes take for granted, or don’t take seriously because we have spoken conversations daily and may take these “soft” skills for granted . This course is a step beyond these regular conversations, and a step towards developing stronger interpersonal competence and teamwork. The class is a workshop, study, and practice of verbal, non-verbal, and listening communication skills as well as a practicum of learning to work effectively in teams. We will also introduce aspects of conflict management, negotiation, and intercultural communication. This is a class in Interpersonal Communication; facilitated in English.

The class also has the goal of reducing the anxiety that comes from using spoken English. Global Leaders must be able to articulate themselves verbally in English; students in this class will step away from using English as a test-taking discipline and continue practicing using English as a necessary communication tool.

Self-discovery is a big part of this class and will enable students to become more aware of themselves in spoken communication interactions. This self-awareness will give students the ability to adjust their style to positively affect the outcome of their business interactions. As with other GBT Communication courses these skills can be applied to their first language interactions.

Advanced Leadership Communication (고급 리더십 커뮤니케이션)

It is important to be competitive in today’s job market so it is important to practice the skills that will give a job seeker the advantage. An article in Forbes notes that “The number one weakness Corporate America said they faced with incoming talent was the “inability to effectively communicate” on a professional level” .  This class is a practicum for upper-level students to build on the communication competencies attained in other communication classes and adjust their communication ability to be more professional and ready to impress. These skills will be brought together synergistically and applied to international business and trade scenarios through class project planning, simulations, and article analyses.

Students who take this class will solidify their comfort and confidence in their speaking, writing, and listening ability in English. This class will be practicing all four of these communication skills. These skills will be augmented by applying them to their data analysis and critical thinking to solve problems that may arise in international business and trade. Thus, the subject and real name of this class is Advanced Leadership Communication (고급 리더십 커뮤니케이션).

This class is an active learning venue for students to practice business English communication in a safe environment — giving students useful experience that may help them in their professional lives after they graduate.

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