1. Business Communication Teaching Reform : a tentative study of international email exchanges between Finnish and Chinese University Students By Meiling WANG Postgraduate, English Dept. Vaasa Uni. Shandong Uni. CHINA Presented at Vakki Conference 8 Feb. 2004

2. Outline  Objective: To explore the pedagogical benefits of an international e-mail exchange for EFL Business Communication course teaching  Structure 1. Genesis of the project 2. Project progress report 1) Project design 2) Project implementation 3) Post-project feedback 3. Discussion

3. Genesis of the project 1. Visible gap between classroom activities and skills required by the corporate world; 2. Increased use of e-mail in intercultural communication; 3. E-mail used as a teaching tool Aim: to use the opportunity presented by internationalization to improve Business Communication teaching via E-mail

4. Project design 1. Pedagogical guideline Updated teaching method: Business negotiation simulation via e-mail in English 2. Practical arrangements 1) Reconcile differences concerning academic systems; 2) Structure the different number of students for dyads; 3) Preparatory measure: WebCT environment

5. Implementation stage Problems involved 1. Incorrect reading of e-mail addresses; 2. Management measures for an ‘intruder’: 1) not sending out assignments at one time; 2) Reading materials: a) effective e-mail writing strategies, and b) two sample letters to highlight the cultural impact on intercultural communication

6. Post-project feedback from the Chinese students 1. Techniques: questionnaire and essay writing 2. Findings: 6 respondents (5+1); the rest? 3. Failure to get feedback from the Finnish participants

7. Discussion 1. Undeniable pedagogical value of the project 1) a ‘rare opportunity’; 2) the potential benefits of the project as an updated teaching method; 3) awareness of language style shift 4) New business topics (misunderstanding; Pohjanmaan Kalustetehdas) 2. Solution: Posting and carrying the project out in a WebCT environment 3. Further suggestions: 1) Improve the present project; 2) Feedback from participants, both Finnish and Chinese 3) Build a large body of e-mail messages

8. Thank you End