Thoughts On Some Major Issues In Business English Course Design For Pre-experience Students At Vocational Colleges In China

The present study is an attempt to explore some important issues in business English course design for pre-experience students in Chinese vocational colleges. Questions being explored include which approach to take in course design in an English For Specific Purposes context; what and how specific procedures should be followed, how to evaluate and improve the course design. The study is an empirical study, based on qualitative analysis of the data, collected from the author's teaching experience at a vocational college in China. As space and time are limited, the data under investigation are confined to Guangzhou Vocational Institute of Technology. Applying Tom Hutchinson and Alan Waters' theory of ESP course design, the study proceeds with the moves of syllabus design, materials adaptation and methodology selection. Focusing on Janice Yalden's proportional syllabus theory, the author endeavors to construct a feasible proportional syllabus which takes the students' changing needs into account and allows for ample flexibility in implementing the syllabus. An eclectic approach is adopted in this proposed syllabus accordingly. Drawing on a range of work in syllabus design, materials adaptation, methodology combination, this paper intends to make contribution to the BE teaching for pre-experience students in Chinese vocational colleges.