Course details

English for Europe

AEU Acad. year 2019/2020 Summer semester 3 credits

Current academic year

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

Smutný Milan, PhDr., Ph.D. (UJAZ)

Course coordinator

Baumgartnerová Alena, PaedDr.

Language of instruction

Czech, English

Completion

Credit+Examination

Time span

  • 26 hrs exercises

Assessment points

  • 60 pts final exam
  • 40 pts mid-term test

Department

Department of Foreign Languages (UJAZ)

Instructor

Smutný Milan, PhDr., Ph.D. (UJAZ)

Subject specific learning outcomes and competences

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

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.

Why is the course taught

The course enables students to acquire professional vocabulary, language functions and language skills necessary for European (and world) cultural and professional environment.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

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

Study 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.
  • DL/FEEC: Supplementary Texts.

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.

Progress assessment

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

Controlled instruction

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.

Exam prerequisites

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

Course inclusion in study plans

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