Aims and Fit of Module

This module develops students’ understanding of effective business and cross-cultural communication between English and Chinese speakers. It explores how cultural values, communicative norms, and interpersonal dynamics shape interaction in professional contexts such as meetings, negotiations, and collaborative exchanges.
Building on this foundation, students will acquire practical interpreting skills to facilitate clear and accurate communication across languages and cultures. Through scenario-based activities and lab-based interpreting practice, they will learn to manage both linguistic and cultural challenges, and to perform as competent mediators in real-world business communication settings.

Learning outcomes

A. Identify key principles of cross-cultural business communication and demonstrate awareness of how cultural and contextual factors influence professional interaction.
B. Apply appropriate communicative strategies and linguistic skills to facilitate effective business exchanges between English and Chinese speakers.
C. Plan and perform interpreting tasks in simulated business and intercultural scenarios, demonstrating accuracy, clarity, and professional conduct.
D. Analyse and evaluate the interpreter’s role and decision-making processes within multi-party communication, reflecting critically on challenges and strategies for improvement.

Method of teaching and learning

The teaching sessions are divided into two components: lectures and workshops. Lectures provide students with concepts, principles and skills related to liaison interpreting; workshops are conducted for students to carry out interpreting practices, group discussions, role-plays, and mock interpreting activities. Active participation is essential in both forms of teaching.