ASSESSMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL COMPETENCIES

REVISED SYLLABUS
FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH FOR COMPUTER BASED EXAMINATION (CBE)
SEPTEMBER 2015 ATTEMPT

Objective
To ensure that candidates can communicate effectively in the English language.

Learning Outcome
On the successful completion of this paper candidates will be able to:
1

use a range of vocabulary correctly

construct sentences using correct grammar

demonstrate the ability of speed reading and comprehension.

Grid

Weighting

Vocabulary

15-20

Practical use of Grammar

20-25

Comprehension and Speed reading (General)

10-15
Total

50

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Level

Learning Outcome

Source

LO1.1.1: Comprehend the role that

language plays in different contexts

LO1.1.1:

English
A

Vocabulary
1

Meanings and application of

vocabulary listed on:

Chapter# 1 [Introduction to English]

from the Study Text Edition 2015.

a: "The Oxford 3000Seventh Edition", and

b: Any other list as the
Institute may provide at any
time before the conduct of
Examination.

LO1.1.2: Identify the correct meaning of

the word and use synonyms or
antonyms for the given words in a
LO1.1.2 & LO 1.1.3:
sentence
Chapter# 5 [Vocabulary] from the Study
Text Edition 2015.
LO1.1.3: Construct meaningful
sentences using the prescribed word
list.
B

Practical use of Grammar

1

Parts of speech

LO2.1.1: Suggest the use of verb,

adverb, noun, pronoun, adjective,
preposition, conjunction and interjection
in constructing sentences.

LO2.1.1:

Chapter# 1 [Introduction to English]

from the Study Text Edition 2015.
Chapter# 2 [The verb phrase] from
the Study Text Edition 2015.

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Level

Learning Outcome

Source

Chapter# 3 [The noun phrase] from

the Study Text Edition 2015.
Chapter# 4 [Other parts of speech]
from the Study Text Edition 2015.
2

Rules of sentences

LO2.2.1: Understand and determine

declarative, interrogative, imperative,
exclamatory and optative sentences
LO2.2.2: Understand and identify
simple, compound, complex, multiple
and conditional sentences.

Phrases and idioms

Tenses

Direct and indirect speech

LO2.2.1 & LO2.2.2:

Chapter# 7 [Sentences] from the Study
Text Edition 2015.

LO2.3.1: Construct meaningful

sentences using commonly used
phrases and idioms.

LO2.3.1:

LO2.4.1: Understand and apply rules of

tenses in sentences.

LO2.4.1:

LO2.5.1: Understand the difference

between direct and indirect speech.
LO2.5.2: Use direct speech with the
correct punctuations and various
reporting verbs

Chapter# 6 [Phrases and idioms] from

the Study Text Edition 2015.

Chapter# 2 [The verb phrase] from the

Study Text Edition 2015.
LO2.5.1, LO2.5.2 & LO 2.5.3:
Chapter# 7 [Sentences] from the Study
Text Edition 2015.

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Level

Learning Outcome

Source

LO2.5.3: Identify the changes incidental

to the transformation of direct speech to
indirect speech.
6

Active and passive voice

Punctuation

LO2.6.1: Change the active voice to

passive voice and passive voice to
active voice.

LO2.6.1:

LO2.7.1: Determine the appropriate

use of capital letter, question mark,
exclamation mark, full stop, semi-colon,
comma, colon, apostrophe, quotation
marks, brackets, dash, hyphen, ellipsis.

LO2.7.1:

Chapter# 7 [Sentences] from the Study

Text Edition 2015.

Chapter# 7 [Sentences] from the Study

Text Edition 2015.

Comprehension and
Speed reading (General)

C
1

Comprehension

LO3.1.1: Comprehend a brief write up

and answer questions based on that
write up

LO3.1.1 & 3.2.2:

Chapter# 8 [Writing] from the Study Text
Edition 2015.

Speed reading

LO3.2.2: Assimilate the key contents of

a lengthy write up and answer
questions based on that write up.

Summary

Books name
ICAPs study text Edition 2015

Relevant Chapters
All chapters are relevant.
The Study Text is completely in line with the overall learning
objective and learning outcomes of the syllabus and fulfills the
learning needs of the students effectively. However Section 1
[Essay writing] and 2 [Prcis writing] of Chapter 8 [Writing] of the
Text are IRRELEVANT for the CBEs and will not be tested in the
examination.

ASSESSMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL COMPETENCIES

REVISED SYLLABUS
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION FOR COMPUTER BASED EXAMINATION (CBE)
SEPTEMBER 2015 ATTEMPT

Objective
To ensure that candidates can communicate effectively while performing their professional responsibilities.

Learning Outcome
On the successful completion of this paper candidates will be able to:
1

comprehend concepts of business communication

demonstrate awareness of intra-personal and interpersonal skills

understand formats of basic business messages and message-writing etiquette

understand the utility of the internet with respect to business communication.

Grid

Weighting

Concepts

10-15

Intra-personal and Interpersonal skills

20-25

Communication via the internet

10-15
Total

50

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Level

Learning Outcome

Source

LO1.1.1: Define business

communication.

LO1.1.1 & LO 1.1.2:

Business Communication
A

Concepts
1

Introduction to business
communication

LO1.1.2: Describe with simple

examples the goals, patterns (formal
and informal) and channels of
business communication.
2

Communication process

LO1.2.1: Define communication

process.
LO1.2.2: Explain and illustrate the
components of the communication
process, namely: context, sender,
message, medium, recipient and
feedback.

Chapter#1 and 2 [The

communication process AND
Business communications] from the
Study Text Edition 2015.

LO1.2.1 & LO1.2.2:

Chapter#1 [The communication

process] from the Study Text Edition
2015.

LO1.2.3: Identify the information

needs of the organization and its
sources, levels, and usefulness for
effective communication.

LO1.2.3:

LO1.2.4:Explain with simple examples

the barriers to effective
communication.

LO1.2.4:

Chapter#2 [Business
communications] from the Study Text
Edition 2015.

Chapter#1 [The communication

process] from the Study Text Edition
2015.

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Seven Cs of effective
communication

Level

Learning Outcome

Source

LO1.2.5: Describe different methods

of communication and also state its
appropriate medium.

LO1.2.5:

LO1.2.6: Classify different types of

communication networks and describe
their influence on the communication
process within an organization.

LO1.2.6:

LO1.3.1: Describe with simple

examples the seven Cs of effective
communication.
LO1.3.2: Identify weaknesses in a
given simple communication process
applying the Seven Cs concept and
suggest corrections.

Chapter#1 [The communication

process] from the Study Text Edition
2015.

Chapter#11 [Communication] from

Organizational behaviour by
Stephen Robbins.

LO1.3.1 & LO 1.3.2:

Chapter#3 [Seven Cs of effective

communication] from the Study Text
Edition 2015.

Intra-personal and Interpersonal skills

B
1

Nature of Intra-personal
communication

LO2.1.1: Develop an awareness and

appreciation of the importance of
intrapersonal communication.
LO2.1.2: Identify the basic aspects of
intrapersonal communication including
self-concept, perception and
expectation.

LO2.1.1 & LO 2.1.2:

Chapter#5-6 [Perception and

individual decision making AND
Motivation concepts] from
Organizational behaviour by
Stephen Robbins.

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Nature of Interpersonal
communication

Level

Learning Outcome

Source

LO2.2.1: Identify the axioms of

interpersonal communication.

LO2.2.1:

LO2.2.2: Specify the purposes of

interpersonal communication.

LO2.2.2:

LO2.2.3: Determine the role of

stereotypes in the communication
process.

LO2.2.3:

LO2.2.4: Identify the role of

communication conflict in intercultural
relationships.

LO2.2.4:

Chapter#1 [The communication

process] from the Study Text Edition
2015.

Chapter#1 [Effective communication

in business] from Effective
Business Communication by Herta
A. Murphy.

Chapter#5 [Perception and

individual decision making] from
Organizational behaviour by
Stephen Robbins.

Chapter#3 [Communicating
Interculturally] from Excellence in
business communication by John
V. Thill and Courtland L.Bovee.

Chapter#3 [Business
communication and the global
context] from Effective Business
Communication by Herta A.
Murphy.

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Level

Learning Outcome

Source

LO2.2.5: Explain the key ways to

improve interpersonal skills.

LO2.2.5:

LO2.2.6: Identify the elements and

traits of ethics in interpersonal
communication.

Chapter#1 [What is Organizational

behaviour?] from Organizational
behaviour by Stephen Robbins.

Chapter#1 [Effective communication

in business] from Effective
Business Communication by Herta
A. Murphy.

LO2.2.6:

Critical Thinking

LO2.3.1: Explain the difference

between creative thinking and critical
thinking.
LO2.3.2: Assess the effect of critical
thinking over communication.

Chapter#1 [Communicating
successfully in an organization] from
Excellence in business
communication by John V. Thill and
Courtland L.Bovee.
Chapter#4 [Business
communication and the ethical
context] from Effective Business
Communication by Herta A.
Murphy.

LO2.3.1 & LO2.3.2:

Chapter#5 [Perception and

individual decision making] from
Organizational behaviour by
Stephen Robbins.

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Non-verbal communication

Level

Learning Outcome

Source

LO2.4.1: Identify forms of non-verbal

communication including facial
expressions, posture, gestures, eye
contact, voice and touch.

LO2.4.1 & 2.4.2:

LO2.4.2: Explain the uses of nonverbal messages.

Verbal communication

LO2.5.1: Contrast between oral and

written communication.
LO2.5.2: Explain and account for the
basic forms of oral communication
including; face to face
communications, interviews, telephone
conversations, grapevine,
negotiations, meetings,
lecture/speech.
LO2.5.3: Contrast between speaking
and listening skills.

Chapter#2 [Understanding business

communication] from Excellence in
business communication by John
V. Thill and Courtland L.Bovee.

Chapter#1 [Effective communication

in business] from Effective
Business Communication by Herta
A. Murphy.

LO2.5.1, LO2.5.2 & LO2.5.3:

Chapter#16-17 [Interviewing for

employment and following up AND
Listening, interviewing and
conducting meetings] from
Excellence in business
communication by John V. Thill and
Courtland L.Bovee.

Chapter#14,15,16, 17 [Strategies for

successful speaking and successful
listening, Strategies for successful
informative and persuasive
speaking, Strategies for successful
interpersonal communication AND

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Level

Learning Outcome

Source
Strategies for successful business
and group meetings] from Effective
Business Communication by Herta
A. Murphy

LO2.5.4: Develop a personal,

constructive approach to dealing with
conflict situations through speech
communication strategies of conflict
resolution.

LO2.5.4:

LO2.5.5: Explain the principles of

preparing and delivering an effective
public speech.

LO2.5.5:

LO2.5.6: Explain the importance of

listening in effective business
communication.
LO2.5.7: Describe types and barriers
to listening.

Chapter#15 [Conflict and

negotiation] from Organizational
behaviour by Stephen Robbins.

Chapter#15 [Strategies for

successful informative and
persuasive speaking] from Effective
Business Communication by Herta
A. Murphy.

Chapter#18 [Giving speeches and

oral presentations] from Excellence
in business communication by John
V. Thill and Courtland L.Bovee.

LO2.5.6 & LO2.5.7:

Chapter#4 [Listening skills] from the

Study Text Edition 2015.

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Visual communication

Written Communication

Level

Learning Outcome

Source

LO2.6.1: Assess the role of visual

communication in simplifying and
comparing information and illustrating
trends and ideas.

LO2.6.1:

LO2.7.1: Classify the type of business

letters and circulars.

LO2.7.1 & LO 2.7.2:

LO2.7.2: Determine the qualities of an

effective letter and circular.

Appendix A from Effective Business

Communication by Herta A.
Murphy.

Chapter#5 & 6 [Written business

messages AND Letters and
circulars] from the Study Text
Edition 2015.

LO2.7.3: Describe the different

components of business letter.

LO2.7.3:

LO2.7.4: Explain the salient features

of the persuasive letters and circulars.

LO2.7.4

LO2.7.5: State the meaning and

purpose of a short business report.

LO2.7.5 & 2.7.6:

LO2.7.6: Describe the contents of a

business report.

Chapter#6 [Letters and circulars]

from the Study Text Edition 2015.

Chapter#5 [Written business

messages] from the Study Text
Edition 2015.

Chapter#7 [Business reports] from

the Study Text Edition 2015.

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Level

Learning Outcome

Source

LO2.7.7: Differentiate between

different types of reports.

LO2.7.7 & 2.7.8:

Chapter#12, 13 and14 [Writing

Short reports, Planning long reports
AND Completing formal reports
and proposals] from Excellence in
business communication by John
V. Thilland Courtland L.Bovee.

LO2.7.8: Explain the contents of

different types of reports.

Chapter#11-12 [Short reports AND

Long (formal) reports] from
Effective Business
Communication by Herta A.
Murphy.

Communication via the

internet
1

Website hosting (types and

services)

Types of electronic
communication

LO3.1.1: State meaning, types and

services of web hosting.

LO 3.1.1:

LO3.2.1: Explain the main features

and practical use of social networking
forums, blogs, podcasting, discussion
boards, messaging, video
conferencing and email.

LO3.2.1 & LO 3.2.2:

Chapter#8 [Communication via the

internet] from the Study Text
Edition 2015.

Chapter#4 & 5 [Communicating

through technology AND Planning
business messages] from
Excellence in business
communication by John V. Thill

Syllabus
Ref

Contents

Level

Learning Outcome

LO3.2.2: Discuss the benefits and

limitations of various types of
electronic communication.

Source

and Courtland L.Bovee.

Chapter#5 [Business
communication and the technology
context] from Effective Business
Communication by Herta A.
Murphy.

Chapter#11 [Communication] from

Organizational behaviour by
Stephen Robbins.

Chapter 8 [Communication via the

internet] from the Study Text
Edition 2015.

Summary

Books names
ICAPs study text Edition 2015

Relevant Chapters
All chapters are relevant.
For chapters 5, 6 and 7, bear in mind that students are only
required to assimilate the types, features and contents of different
types of written communication. They would not be asked to
produce any written communication.

Organizational behaviour by Stephen P.

Robbins, Timothy A. Judge, Seema Sanghi [13th
Edition]

Chapters 1, 5, 6, 11, 15

Effective Business Communication by Herta A.

Murphy [7th Edition]

Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 and Appendix A

Excellence in business communication by John

V. Thill and Courtland L.Bovee [4th Edition]

Chapters 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18