I have been teaching in KPMIM for 4 semesters. This coming July-Dec 2010 will be my 5th semester in here. I've been teaching Business Communication for 2 years. It's a prerequisite subject where you can't further to the next level until you pass the lower level of the subject. Experience had shown me that teaching this subject is not easy. The expectation of the subject is too high because of the subject title - BUSINESS.
Last semester, one of my students had asked about what is "Business Communication" really is? Well actually, Business Communication is not really about the business theory as what some Business students learn in Bachelor/Diploma in Business Studies. The word "Communication" defines that the core of the subject is about communication and of course, in business world. That is why the content of the subject is about meeting a business person, communicate with a visitor, handling a meeting, business documentations such as business letters, memos, email, minutes of meeting and etc.
The purpose of learning this subject is to provide the students with the real world situation where after obtaining a diploma, they would look for a job. This is where the Business Communication applied. Obtaining a CGPA of 3.90 without excellent communication skills is nothing. Therefore, all assessments of the subject is about speaking skills : Individual speaking skills, pair speaking skill, handling a meeting, and product presentation. Luckily, if the students have known and dig the subject very well, they would score the subject.
One of my students (2 semesters ago) had also asked me of why we should learn the grammar again even though it's a business subject. I admit that this student is very good in speaking skills but not really good in writing and of course the grammar. My answer is, every language in this world has its own grammar. Even the Bahasa Melayu with "tatabahasa", Arabic with "nahu", English with the "grammar", and etc. A good communication will look perfect with a good grammar. You will look stupid when you speak with a broken grammar (not to mention the meaning of the sentence might be different when you speak in wrong grammar). So, to present better in front of your client or colleague, you must speak with good grammar.
Business Communication provides the students a knowledge of preparing to enter a world of business. Having skills in writing business documentations, and good communication skills might give advantage to the students from being jobless. So, learn the subject with joy and feel free to ask your lecturer to improve yourself.
{Written from the heart of a Business Communication lecturer}
