Course details

English for Europe

AEU Acad. year 2011/2012 Summer semester 3 credits

Current academic year

An innovated English course with a particular focus on the development of the students' verbal and written skills and their further professional application within the wider framework of both the Czech and the European job markets. The central elements of the course consist in practising business meetings and negotiations, written document completion, informal communication and activities designed to describe and question European cultures in comparison with the Czech Republic. Within the wider course framework, there are two notions that should be pointed out, namely the overview of the European union institutions and the introduction to English as the key providing access to education and jobs to Czech and Moravian university graduates. Coursework is based on panel discussion, opinion presentation, interpretation of written and audiovisual sources, homework presentation and discussion, language games.

Guarantor

Dohnal Přemysl, Mgr. (DFL FEEC BUT)

Language of instruction

Czech, English

Completion

Credit+Examination

Time span

26 hrs exercises

Assessment points

60 exam, 40 half-term test

Department

DFL FEEC BUT

Instructor

Dohnal Přemysl, Mgr. (DFL FEEC BUT)
Smutný Milan, PhDr., Ph.D. (DFL FEEC BUT)

Subject specific learning outcomes and competences

The ability to find one's way in the cultural and professional maze of the EU. The ability to use English in a wide range of everyday situations. The knowledge of various writing techniques plus the rules of team work and business communication in English. The ability to understand natural spoken English.

Learning objectives

Vocabulary development and practising the general ability to work with language Encouraging the students to communicate actively. Further broadening of European horizons. Teaching the techniques of writing.

Prerequisite kwnowledge and skills

The course knowledge required corresponds with the standards of the intermediate level.

Study literature

  • Wellman, G.: The Heinemann English Wordbuilder. Praha, Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1991.
  • DL/FEEC: Supplementary Texts.

Fundamental literature

  • Wellman, G.: The Heinemann English Wordbuilder. Praha, Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1991.

Syllabus of numerical exercises

  1. Introduction. Everyday English I: Meeting new people, conversation topics. Taboo areas. Family life, housing, work and leisure across Europe.
  2. Everyday English II: Living in Europe. Meeting people, conversation topics. Food and eating out. Restaurants, hotels and hostels. Doing business in restaurants.
  3. Everyday English III: Meeting people, conversation topics. Shops and shopping.
  4. Across the continent: Employers and employees. Listening comprehension.
  5. Everyday English IV: English in the workplace. Interviews, starting a job.
  6. Everyday English V: How to manage a business meeting. Communication: Dealing with problems, responsibility. Coming into conflict and the difference of opinion: In and out. Writing: Business meeting papers and reports.
  7. Everyday English VI: English in the workplace. Writing: ads and offers. E-mails and fax messages. Speaking on the phone. Film: business communication.
  8. Everyday English VII: Role play and writing: How to apologize for..., letter of complaint.
  9. Social language. Role play: Accepting and declining an invitation. Welcoming a guest. Writing: Letters of invitation.
  10. English for authorities, housing and finance. The police and crimes.
  11. Informal language II: Across Europe.
  12. Course evaluation and revision.
  13. Semester test.

Controlled instruction

Active participation in seminars, semester test (20 - 40 points) and final examination (30 - 60 points).

Exam prerequisites

Active participation in seminars, semester test with the pass mimimum of 50% (= 20 points).
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