me or emt?

Re: module choices | Raymond Sheehan | November 13th, 2001

In the next couple of weeks I want to make some final choices about which of the remaining modules I opt for. I know I want to do both Materials and Curriculum, but I find it difficult to choose between IIC and Management as a double module. My initial choice was for IIC since it seems like a good idea to build up a strong linguistic base. On the other hand, I am on some working groups here which focus on communications at work (management/admin/faculty/students) and how they can be improved and that seems to me like a potentially rich area for an assignment informed by whatever principles the Module may offer. Have CPs taking Management as a double module found that you need to be more on the Management side of the fence in order to benefit fully from the Module, and that Management as a single module is more suited to those who are more interested in management from a staff perspective?- And what about those of us who have spent some time doing in-company training, teaching English for business and management - can we draw upon this experience in any way as we work through the Management module?- I would greatly appreciate any comments on or off the list.

Thanks,

Raymond
UAE

Re: management modules |Francesca | November 13th, 2001

Hi Raymond,

I'm replying via the list as other people might also be interested in knowing a little about the management modules. I work for myself (freelance private teacher) and have done both the single and the double module. I don't believe that you need to be on the management side of the fence to benefit fully from either of the modules, if you are within an organization there is plenty of scope for research on how that organization is run.

The single module has more of a cultural focus: the challenges of working within organizations from different cultures. The double module, for the moment, has very little additional reading, one file instead of the usual two. You might see this as a benefit, as it means you'll get through the module quicker, although when you come to researching for the assignment, it would be very helpful if you had a university library to refer to or you could find yourself short on references.

I teach a little business English and have adopted some of the material from the double module for discussions with students who are managers but I don't feel that experience in business English is particularly helpful when working through the modules. Finally, I don't feel that any experience as a manager is necessary to complete the modules, although, of course, it would be a plus.

By the way, don't you think that IIC could also help you understand communications at work at a micro level?

Good luck in your choices, shame we can't do everything, isn't it?

Francesca

Re: module choices | Raymond Sheehan | November 18th, 2001

Thanks, Francesca, for your comments on-list about this topic. Your suggestion about using IIC to deal with management discourse at micro-level is certainly worth considering. Thanks also to CPS for the off-list comments (which even included a generous offer to read an IIC assignment). Despite all this, I'm still dithering (though in one direction more than another, if that's possible).

Raymond Sheehan

 

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