Modulbeschreibung

In order for students to achieve their employability goals, they need to improve their knowledge of the English langauge as it is used in the workplace and also develop key skills for the international workplace. At the same time, higher education is becoming more and more international and English also plays a key role in the academic world. The OST English Language Programme therefore takes a skills-focused approach which is designed to help students become successful communicators in professional, workplace, situations as well as in academic settings. Its systematic development of key language skills will also help prepare them for internationally recognised external exams.
EPC2 offers students a development of their professional communication skills in English at ALTE level B2+. It builds upon the language of EPC1 and further covers a variety of language and skills training which students can immediately use in the workplace and for their studies, whilst also developing essential communication skills and focuses on the kind of linguistic accuracy which is needed to perform well in professional settings.

FCE (Cambridge First Certificate) B2

Professional competences

Participants can:

• Understand and develop their knowledge of the English language for the workplace
• Develop their awareness of the different business situations and the communication styles needed, especially when working across cultures
• Read and understand business texts in detail
• Write a report with a high degree of linguistic accuracy

Methodological competences

Participants can:

• Recognise the strengths and weaknesses of factual texts
• Craft professional written texts
• Understand text cohesion

Self-competences

Participants can:

• Take responsibility for their own learning
• Effectively communicate their ideas and opinions in a clear and professional manner
• Respond to questions and ideas of others in a appropriate and professional manner
• Develop their soft skills so as to work effectively with people whose personality and culture may be different from their own

Social competences

Participants can:

• Engage with developments in international business by consulting original sources
• Collaborate with fellow students in a variety of scenarios, such as projects and workshops
• Understand different business situations and have an awareness of different communication styles, espcially when working across cultures
• Work effectively with people whose personality and culture may be different from their own

Topic area I:

• Global mobility
• Business alliances
• Risk and risk management
• Decision-making
• Writing: Reports

Topic area II:

• Exam practice
• Feedback on texts

Topic area III:

• Speaking test

Teacher-conducted class work, indiviual work, partner work, class discussions, workshops, group work, role-play.

Mandatory:

• Business Partner B2+ Coursebook and Online Workbook : Pearson. (= the same as in EPC1)

Optional:

• McCarthy, M., McCarten, J., Clark, D. and Clark, R. (2009). Grammar for Business. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Swan, M. (2009). Practical English Usage (3rd edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Recommended for current business news: www.ft.com; www.economist.com; www.cnn.com; www.cnbc.com; www.bloomberg.com