Course detail

English for Europe

FIT-AEUAcad. year: 2019/2020

The course is focused on the development of the students' verbal and written communication skills and their further professional application within the wider framework of both Czech and European job markets. The central elements of the course consist in practising communication in the European cultural, business and legal environment and activities designed to describe and question European cultures in comparison with the Czech Republic (considering the Euro-American cultural context into account). The course provides the overview of the European Union institutions and their functions and presents the English language as the universal tool providing access to education and jobs to the Czech and Moravian university graduates. The coursework is based on the interpretation of written and audio-visual sources, discussion and personal opinion presentation.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

PhDr. Milan Smutný, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Foreign Languages (UJAZ)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The ability to find one's way in the European (and world) cultural and professional environment. The ability to use English in a wide range of everyday situations. The knowledge of various writing techniques. Improved ability to understand spoken English. 

the student is able to describe EU institutions and knows the basic facts about their functioning
understands the relationships of the Euro-American cultural context
explains and describes the structure of a firm and its functioning, introduces its products and services to potential business partners
prepares documents connected with the job application procedures
is prepared for different situations connected with the job interview
responds adequately in problem solving (professional communication)
makes basic formal documents
discusses the problems of the legal system and environment
compares cultural environment of different countries and understands cultural differences

Prerequisites

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

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Not applicable.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Active participation in seminars (75%), semester test (min. 24, max. 40, semester test may be repeated only once), exam (min. 30, max. 60).

Course curriculum

Not applicable.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

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.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The content and forms of  instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Ashley, A. (2003) Oxford Handbook of Commercial Correspondence. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
DL/FEEC: Supplementary Texts.
English for business and economics. Prague: Oeconomica, nakladatelství VŠE, 2017. ISBN 978-80-245-2210-4.
Kocmanová, M. and Pokorná, Z. (2004) Euro English. Praha: Ostrov.
SWAN, Michael. Practical English usage. Fourth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, [2017]. ISBN 978-0-19-420243-5.
SWAN, Michael. Practical English usage. Fourth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, [2017]. ISBN 978-0-19-420243-5.
Wellman, G.: The Heinemann English Wordbuilder. Praha, Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1991.
Wellman, G.: The Heinemann English Wordbuilder. Praha, Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1991.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, elective

  • Programme IT-BC-3 Bachelor's

    branch BIT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective

  • Programme IT-MSC-2 Master's

    branch MMI , 0 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MBI , 0 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MSK , 0 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MMM , 0 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MBS , 0 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MPV , 0 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MIS , 0 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MIN , 0 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MGM , 0 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme MITAI Master's

    specialization NISY , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Fundamentals seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

PhDr. Milan Smutný, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  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.