Course detail

English Skills for Workplace Communication I

FSI-0SE1Acad. year: 2026/2027

“English for Workplace Communication” is a course designed for students who actively use English and wish to further enhance their ability to communicate confidently in an international professional environment. It develops the essential skills for job interviews, presentations, negotiations and teamwork in multicultural settings. The course focuses not only on language, but it also integrates key soft skills to prepare students for real workplace situations. Teaching methods include brainstorming sessions, debates, role-plays and simulations. Students will practise vocabulary and phrases related to each topic, and explore key principles through discussions and authentic materials. 

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Pavla Staňková

Department

Institute of Foreign Languages (ÚJ)

Entry knowledge

The minimum entry requirement is B2 communicative level of English.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Course-unit credit is awarded on condition of having attended the seminar actively and completed assigned tasks. Attendance at seminars is compulsory. Students are allowed two absences. In well-founded cases, extra absences can be made up for after consulting the situation with the teacher. Attendance and active participation in classes are necessary prerequisites for taking the final examination.

The exam is spoken. It assesses students' ability to perform tasks based on the topics covered, and may therefore take the form of a job interview or presentation. The final assessment reflects language level and grammatical accuracy (30%), structure and content (35%), and the active use of the skills developed during the course (35%).

Aims

Students will develop the communication skills and practical confidence needed to succeed in an international workplace. They will be able to pass recruitment processes, lead discussions, present ideas clearly, and participate effectively in meetings. The course will equip them with the ability to use English actively and confidently in professional contexts, ensuring they can apply their skills in real-life workplace situations.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

HARTLEY, Peter. Professional and Business Communication. Taylor & Francis, 2023. ISBN 9781032268002. (EN)
CHAN, Mable. English for business communication. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2020. ISBN 978-1-138-48168-8. (EN)
ROCHE, Marc. Business English Speaking. Advanced Masterclass. Independently Published: 2019. ISBN 1699525595. (EN)

Recommended reading

BENOLIEL, Michael, Hua WEI. Negotiating. Essential Managers. Dorling Kindersley: 2021. ISBN 0744035074. (EN)
SCHIEFELBEIN, Jill. Effective Business Communication for Dummies. For Dummies: 2024. ISBN 1394181140. (EN)
THEOBALD, Theo. Develop Your Presentation Skills. Harlow: Kogan Page, 2022. ISBN 1398605956. (EN)
WHITE, Dan. The Soft Skills Book. LID Publishing, 2021. ISBN 1911671545. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-OBN-P Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme N-OBN-P Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 2 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Language exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Pavla Staňková

Syllabus

  1. Introduction to the course. Soft skills for professional success.
  2. Job search and hiring process.
  3. Cover letter, CV.
  4. Job interview.
  5. Elevator pitch.
  6. Team presentations of innovations.
  7. Negotiating: introduction and basic concepts.
  8. Negotiating: useful phrases, examples, practice.
  9. Teamwork and collaboration, team building.
  10. Cross-cultural awareness. International business etiquette.
  11. Useful business phrases and idioms.
  12. Students‘ projects. Assessment.