Course detail

English for Europe

FIT-AEUAcad. year: 2020/2021

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.

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
is able to discuss  the problems of education

Prerequisites

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

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Literature

Wellman, G.: The Heinemann English Wordbuilder. Praha, Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1991.
Ashley, A. (2003) Oxford Handbook of Commercial Correspondence. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Wellman, G.: The Heinemann English Wordbuilder. Praha, Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1991.
English for business and economics. Prague: Oeconomica, nakladatelství VŠE, 2017. ISBN 978-80-245-2210-4.
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.
Kocmanová, M. and Pokorná, Z. (2004) Euro English. Praha: Ostrov.

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).

Language of instruction

Czech, English

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.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme IT-BC-3 Bachelor's

    branch BIT , 2. year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective

  • Programme BIT Bachelor's, 2. year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective

  • Programme IT-MGR-2 Master's

    branch MBI , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, compulsory-optional
    branch MPV , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, compulsory-optional
    branch MGM , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, compulsory-optional
    branch MSK , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, compulsory-optional
    branch MIS , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, compulsory-optional
    branch MBS , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, compulsory-optional
    branch MIN , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, compulsory-optional
    branch MMI , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, compulsory-optional
    branch MMM , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, compulsory-optional

  • Programme MITAI Master's

    specialization NADE , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NBIO , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NGRI , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NNET , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NVIZ , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NCPS , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NSEC , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NEMB , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NHPC , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NISD , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NIDE , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NISY , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NMAL , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NMAT , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NSEN , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NVER , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective
    specialization NSPE , any year of study, winter semester, 3 credits, elective

Type of course unit

 

Fundamentals seminar

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

PhDr. Milan Smutný, Ph.D.

Syllabus

EU - information about the history of EU and functioning of its institutions
How to prepare a successful presentation
Professional communication, introducing a company, the structure of a company
Science and technology 
Jobs, job application procedures, CV, job interview
Formal (business) communication
Law, crime, justice, legal proceedings
Cultural differences, intercultural communication
Schools and education
Health problems, health care
Euro-American culture