RPS (Semester Lesson Plan)
Course Title: Secretaryship
Program: English Education / English Department
Institution: ——— University (Indonesia)
Semester: 3 / 4
Credit: 2 SKS
Language of Instruction: English
Lecturer: ———
Duration: 16 meetings (1 semester, including mid- and final exam weeks)
A. Course Description
This course introduces students to the professional roles, communication skills, and administrative responsibilities of secretaries in modern international or bilingual offices. Students will learn to perform office communication tasks — such as handling correspondence, managing meetings, and preparing documents — using appropriate English and professional etiquette. The course emphasizes both language competence and soft skills such as organization, intercultural awareness, and professionalism.
B. Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
CLO Code | Course Learning Outcomes | Indicators of Achievement |
CLO1 | Demonstrate professional communication skills in English for secretarial contexts. | Uses accurate, polite, and context-appropriate English in written and spoken communication. |
CLO2 | Apply administrative and organizational skills in office situations. | Performs document preparation, scheduling, and meeting coordination tasks. |
CLO3 | Demonstrate intercultural and ethical awareness in professional interactions. | Shows understanding of global office etiquette and cross-cultural communication norms. |
CLO4 | Create professional office documents in English. | Produces business correspondence, minutes, reports, and email professionally. |
C. Learning Methods
- Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)
- Task-based Learning (TBL)
- Project-based Learning (PBL)
- Role-plays, simulations, and case studies
D. Assessment Methods
Component | Type | Weight |
Attendance & participation | Observation | 10% |
Role-play & oral performance | Performance-based | 25% |
Written tasks (letters, emails, reports) | Written assessment | 25% |
Mid-term project (office communication simulation) | Group project | 20% |
Final project (office portfolio & presentation) | Individual | 20% |
E. Weekly Plan (16 Meetings)
Week | Topics / Subtopics | Learning Objectives | Activities | Assessment / Task |
1 | Introduction to Secretaryship | Understand the role and importance of secretaries in organizations. | Lecture, discussion, short video: “A Day in the Life of a Secretary.” | Reflection note. |
2 | Qualities and Responsibilities of a Professional Secretary | Identify personal and professional qualities needed. | Brainstorm, case study. | Short quiz. |
3 | Office Communication Skills | Use polite expressions and office vocabulary. | Role-play: greetings, introductions, small talk. | Oral performance. |
4 | Telephone Handling & Taking Messages | Handle business calls confidently in English. | Listening practice, phone-call simulations. | Scripted role-play. |
5 | Email and Business Correspondence | Write professional and formal emails. | Analyze sample emails, practice writing. | Email writing task. |
6 | Scheduling and Arranging Appointments | Arrange and confirm meetings in polite English. | Pair dialogue practice, writing meeting invitations. | Dialogue evaluation. |
7 | Handling Visitors and Clients | Demonstrate hospitality and intercultural etiquette. | Simulation: welcoming guests. | Observation checklist. |
8 | MID-TERM PROJECT — Office Communication Simulation | Integrate communication skills in a simulated office task. | Group performance (handling visitors, phone calls, emails). | Mid-term project grade. |
9 | Meeting Management (Part 1) | Understand procedures and roles in meetings. | Lecture, discussion, vocabulary list. | Worksheet. |
10 | Meeting Management (Part 2): Writing Minutes & Agenda | Take minutes and prepare meeting agendas. | Practice writing, sample analysis. | Minutes writing task. |
11 | Document Handling and Filing Systems | Learn filing methods and document organization. | Demonstration, group activity. | Short quiz. |
12 | Travel and Event Arrangements | Prepare itineraries, invitations, and confirmations. | Pair work, project planning. | Written itinerary task. |
13 | Office Technology and Digital Tools | Use modern tools (Google Workspace, MS Office) in secretary work. | Demonstration, guided practice. | Online task submission. |
14 | Intercultural Communication & Professional Ethics | Demonstrate respect and ethics in global business. | Group discussion, case study. | Reflective writing. |
15 | Final Project Preparation | Prepare portfolio and oral presentation. | Consultation, rehearsal. | Draft portfolio review. |
16 | FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATION | Present office portfolio (documents, communication samples). | Individual presentation. | Final project grade. |
F. Learning Resources
Main References
- Guffey, M. E., & Loewy, D. (2020). Business Communication: Process and Product. Cengage Learning.
- Bovee, C. L., & Thill, J. V. (2019). Business Communication Today. Pearson.
- Ashley, A. (2013). Oxford Handbook of Commercial Correspondence. Oxford University Press.
Supporting Materials
- Online resources: videos on secretarial skills, intercultural business communication.
- Templates: letters, emails, memos, meeting minutes.
- Digital tools: MS Office, Google Docs, Grammarly.
G. Media and Tools
- Laptop and projector
- LMS (Google Classroom / Moodle)
- Audio-video materials (for phone/email tasks)
- Microsoft Word / Excel / PowerPoint
H. Follow-up and Enrichment
Students will create a Personal Secretary Portfolio, including:
- 3 sample business emails
- 1 meeting minute
- 1 event plan or travel itinerary
- 1 reflection essay on intercultural ethics
