NA_CS_2 Communication Skills 2

University of Finance and Administration
Summer 2014
Extent and Intensity
0/2. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Ladislava Knihová, Ph.D., MBA (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Dagmar Sieglová, M.Ed., Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Dagmar Sieglová, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Subdepartment of Management and Marketing – Department of Economics and Management – Departments – University of Finance and Administration
Contact Person: Ivana Plačková
Timetable of Seminar Groups
NA_CS_2/cMCPH: Mon 14:00–14:44 S14, Mon 14:45–15:30 S14, D. Sieglová
Prerequisites
Successful completion of NA_CS_1. Mastering English as the target language (both general and professional) at the level of B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Readiness to actively participate in interactive seminars supported by multimedia resources.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The course focuses on developing business communication skills with an accent on dimensions of culture in intercultural business communication and management. The course provides students with a deeper understanding of communication processes to be applied straight away in both local and intercultural business situations. Course objectives: 1. Systematic improvement of business English. 2. Development of the core business skills: presentations, attending and leading meetings, resolving conflicts, discussing, negotiating, socializing and telephoning. 3. Semantic and functional focus: monitoring authentic language of business life, using the most frequently used speech acts across cultures properly and mastering the relevant key phrases fluently and spontaneously 4. Development of intercultural competences: understanding the role of cultural dimensions in business communication and management. 5. Writing: acquiring the proficiency in writing authentic business correspondence – formal and informal e-mails, memos, short factual reports, formal correspondence, and minutes. 6. Company culture: monitoring the company culture with a special focus on intercultural variation. The course objectives applies for blended study program students as well.
Syllabus
  • COURSE OUTLINE: WEEKS 1-3 CLASS CONTENT: Culture as communication; Culture shock; Cultural adaptation. SPEAKING PRACTICE: Case study analysis; Active listening techniques; Interview question types. ASSIGNMENTS: Topic related job interview questions. READING: Wursten H., Lanzer, F. & Fadrhonc, T. (2012) WEEKS 4-6 CLASS CONTENT: Cultural dimensions: time, space, group vs. individual, power distance, (Hall, Hofstede). SPEAKING PRACTICE: Interviewing methods and techniques; Presentation question and answer types. Case studies. ASSIGNMENTS: Topic related job interview questions. READING: Hall, E. T. (1988). WEEKS 7-9 CLASS CONTENT: Cultural dimensions: context, emotions, uncertainty avoidance, universal vs. particular, specific vs. diffuse (Hall, Hofstede, Trompenaars); SPEAKING PRACTICE: Precision question and answers; Interviewing practices; Case studies. ASSIGNMENTS: Topic related job interview questions. READING: Wursten H. & Fadrhonc, T. (2012). WEEKS 10-12 CLASS CONTENT: Culture clusters; Soft-skills for work; Course summary. SPEAKING PRACTICE: Case study analysis; Student COUNTRY PROFILE PRESENTATIONS. ASSIGNMENTS: INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCES TESTING GUIDE due (W12). FINAL TEST (W12).
Literature
    required literature
  • Wursten H., Lanzer, F. & Fadrhonc, T. (2012). How to improve efficiency in your HR capital? Itim international.
  • Hall, E. T. (1988). The silent language in overseas business. In Baker, J. C., Ryans, J. K. & Howard, D., G. International Business Classics. Massachussetts: Lexington Books, pp. 89-102.
  • Wursten H. & Fadrhonc, T. (2012). International marketing and culture. Itim international.
  • Mascull, B. Business Vocabulary in Use Intermediate. Cambridge (Chapters 45-46, 63-66)
  • Mascull, B. Business Vocabulary in Use Advanced. Cambridge (Chapters 60-62)
    recommended literature
  • Dignen, B. (2011). Communicating Across Cultures. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-18198-3
  • Johnson, Christine. (2008). Intelligent Business Intermediate: Skills Book. 5. vyd. Harlow: Pearson Longman. ISBN 978-058-2847-972
  • Morrison, T., Conaway, W., and Borden, G. (1994). How to do Business in Sixty Countries: Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands. Holbrook, Massachusetts: Bob Adams, Inc.
  • Morrison, T., Conaway, W. (2011). Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, Sales and Marketing: The Essential Cultural Guide - From Presentations and Promotions to Communicating and Closing. Holbrook, Massachusetts: Bob Adams, Inc.
  • Hampden-Turner, CH., M. & Trompenaars, F. (2000). Building Cross-Cultural Competence. New York: John Wiley & Sons., Ltd.
  • Hofstede, G., Hofstede G., J. & Minkov, M. (2004). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. Intercultural Cooperation and Its Importance for Survival. McGraw-Hill Professional.
  • Trompenaars, F. & Woolliams, P. (2003). Business Across Cultures. T.J. International, Ltd.
    not specified
  • Trompenaars, F. & Hampden-Turner, C. (1998). Riding the waves of culture. Understanding diversity in global business. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Teaching methods
Interactive seminars in both types of study (full-time students and blended study program students). The explanation of theoretical concepts and monitoring the authentic business English will be immediately followed by practical exercises - individual work, cooperative learning (pairs, groups), student presentations, role plays and analyses of recorded situations. Multimedia resources (audio and video sequences), transcripts and other authentic material will be used for practice. Short writing exercises and home assignments will complement the speaking practice.
Assessment methods
Requirements and assessment: 1. Intercultural Competences Testing Guide 2. Individual Country profile presentation 3. Final test 4. In-class activity 5. Attendance - min 75% for full-time students, 60% for blended study program students
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
General note: b0.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 12 hodin KS/semestr.
The course is also listed under the following terms Summer 2013, Summer 2015, Summer 2016, Summer 2017, Summer 2018, Summer 2019, Summer 2020, Summer 2021, Summer 2022, Summer 2023, Summer 2024, Summer 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Summer 2014, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.vsfs.cz/course/vsfs/summer2014/NA_CS_2