Learning outcomes and their compatibility with the teaching method (knowledge, skills and competencies to be developed by students)
To prepare the students for the different skills of the English language ¿ speaking, writing, listening and reading, thus improving their ability to write and speak in English. These skills will be applied both to traditional media, such as formal letters and proposals or to email, blogs, websites and social media.
To develop the student¿s ability in what concerns the writing of business correspondence.
To develop the student¿s ability to understand the English language structures and the vocabulary for communicating in the business environment.
To promote fluency in speech, especially in what concerns business language.
Syllabus
The English language in the business world
Topics:
- Working across cultures
- Doing business in foreign markets
- International mergers
- Living and working in a foreign country
- Working in International teams
- Training and development
Formal and informal correspondence
Business Presentation skills and debates
Reading the book ¿Culture Map¿, by Erin Meyer
Revision of grammar structures previously learned
Grammar structures in a business context
Reading and comprehension and associated skills
Texts of general and specific contents, in the scope of the course, to be read, analyzed and translated in class.
Writing:
- Formal Style/ Informal style
- Developing a written argument on a given topic
Speaking and communication skills
- The students will do oral exercises, including individual presentations and group debates to develop presentation and argumentation skills.
Demonstration of the coherence of teaching and evaluation methodologies between the learning objectives of the curricular unit
The production of oral and written exercises and the ability to understand what is said in a foreign language, namely taking in a specific context, will be the methodology adequate to the development of the abilities of language acquisition. Writing, reading, understanding and speaking skills, developed during the course, will help the learners to use properly a language other than their own and be able to solve language situations that they may face in their daily lives. The classes have a strong practical character, given the fact that it is the English language that is used as the teaching language. Also, they will function as the support needed for the development of language skills to be used in a personal or academic environment.
Bibliography (Mandatory resources)
Gooden, Philip (2011) {2009] The Story of English How the English Language Conquered the World, London: Quercus.
Greenall, Simon & Pye, Diana (2004) {1994] Cambridge Skills for Fluency: Reading 4, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Jones, Leo & Alexander, Richard (2011) [2003] New International Business English, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Murphy, Raymond (2004) English Grammar in Use 3rd Ed, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Web Resources:
BBC news online available at www.bbc.co.uk
The Guardian Business online available at http://www.theguardian.com/uk/business
The Guardian International online available at www.guardian.com/international
Mind Tools: Essential Skills for an Excellent Career available at https://www.mindtools.com
Portuguese-English online dictionary search tool ¿Lexi-logos¿, available at http://www.lexilogos.com/english/portuguese_dictionary.htm
Tedtalks on Business available at https://www.ted.com/talks?topics%5B%5D=business
