NA_CS_1 Communication Skills 1

University of Finance and Administration
Winter 2013
Extent and Intensity
0/2. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
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: PhDr. Karel Eliáš, CSc.
Timetable of Seminar Groups
NA_CS_1/cMCPH: Mon 15:45–16:29 S14, Mon 16:30–17:15 S14, D. Sieglová
Prerequisites
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 language pragmatics in an intercultural business context. 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 principles of language pragmatics and intercultural communication. 5. Writing: acquiring the proficiency in writing authentic business correspondence – formal and informal e-mails, short factual reports, formal correspondence. 6. Company culture: monitoring the company profiles, management structure and culture with a special focus on intercultural variation. The course objectives applies for blended study program students as well.
Syllabus
  • 1-2 Theory: Definitions of culture; Speech Act Theory. Speaking Practice: self-introductions, telephone calls. Vocabulary: BViU ch. 48, 49. Writing portfolio: bio, company profile. 3-4 Theory: Speech Act Theory; Politeness Theory. Emails. Speaking Practice: invitations, offers, refusals, apologies. Vocabulary: BViU ch. 50, 52. Writing portfolio: invitation, offer, refusal, emails. 5-6 Theory: Politeness Theory. Letters. Speaking Practice: requests, advice, disagreement. Vocabulary: BViU ch. 53, 58. Writing portfolio: request, letters. 7-8 Theory: Accommodation theory. Meetings. Speaking Practice: compliments, expression of gratitude, small talk, dealing with silence. Vocabulary: BViU 59, 62. Writing portfolio: compliment, thank you follow-up. WRITING PORTFOLIO feedback (W7). 9-10 Theory: Turn-taking. Presentations. Speaking Practice: dealing with embarrassment, apology, presenting techniques. Vocabulary: BViU 60, 61. WRITING PORTFOLIO feedback (W9). 11-12 Review and summary. FINAL PRODUCT/TRADE FAIR SESSION PRESENTATIONS due (W11), WRITING PORTFOLIO due (W12), FINAL TEST (W12).
Literature
    required literature
  • Johnson, Christine. Intelligent Business Intermediate: Skills Book. 5. vyd. Harlow: Pearson Longman, 2008. ISBN 978-058-2847-972
  • Communication Skills I. Workbook - material assigned by the teacher
  • Mascull, B. Business Vocabulary in Use Intermediate. Cambridge (Chapters 47-62).
    recommended literature
  • Wolfson, N. (1989). The sociolinguistic behavior of English speakers. In Wolfson, N. Perspectives: Sociolinguistics and Tesol. Rowley, MA: Newbury House, pp. 79-108.
  • Wolfson, N. (1989). Perspectives: Sociolinguistics and Tesol. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.
  • Scollon, R. & Scollon, S.W. (1995). Intercultural Communication: A discourse approach. Oxford UK & Cambridge USA: Blackwell.
  • Wardhaugh, R. (1992). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. 2nd Edition. Oxford UK & Cambridge USA: Blackwell.
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. Market Fair presentation of a product/service: 2. Writing portfolio (bio, company profile, invitation, offer, refusal, apology, request, expression of gratitude): 3. Final Test: Minimum class participation: 75% STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUAL STUDY PLAN The students with the approved Individual Study Plan (ISP) are obliged to get in touch with their lecturer in three weeks’ time at the very latest since the beginning of the term in order to agree alternative ways to fulfil their study obligations due to optional attendance. In case the student verifiably neglects this obligation, he/she will be assessed as failed and the code of “---“ will be entered into the IS. The students who were given the status of ISP on the course of the running term are obliged to contact their assigned lecturer in 14 days at the very latest.
Language of instruction
English
Follow-Up Courses
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 Winter 2012, Winter 2014, Winter 2015, Winter 2016, Winter 2017, Winter 2018, Winter 2019, Winter 2020, Winter 2021, Winter 2022, Winter 2023, Winter 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Winter 2013, recent)
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