2024/2025
English for Specific Purposes. English for International Studies – 3
Type:
Optional course
Delivered by:
School of Foreign Languages
When:
1-3 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Course Syllabus
Abstract
English for International Studies - 3 is a course designed for the second-year undergraduate students majoring in World Economy and International Relations. It aims at shaping communicative and professional competence in English that underlies the language and professional development of a BA (Bachelor of Arts) majoring in Economics and International Affairs. The communicative and professional competence in English implies an ability to interact in English in the context of cross-cultural professional communication.Content-based language teaching implies the development and upgrading of language and communication skills to B2–B2+ level according to CEFR. The multifaceted holistic approach provides students with the tools to better comprehend, explore, and interpret the current trends in global economic, political, and social development. Contemporary topics and issues stimulate students’ minds, develop their critical thinking skills, and motivate learners to meaningfully engage with language. Due to instruction techniques implied, learning English is practice-oriented.
Learning Objectives
- The course aims at introducing students to topical business and international relations issues and building professional language and communication skills ● enriching the academic and subject-specific vocabulary and extending the grammatical range for discussing a variety of topics, such as Economics, Business and Finance, Management across cultures, Cultural Diversity, Politics, International Relations, International Organisations, etc. ● equipping students with the reading strategies needed for tackling information-rich texts ● improving students’ writing skills using a scaffolding approach to writing ● increasing exposure to natural fluency and pronunciation using various video resources, such as TED Talks ● developing the listening skills of understanding general and professional conversations, discussions, lectures and applying specific information from the input ● developing the speaking skills of using general, social and professional language in discussions, debates, dialogues, and presentations ● developing intercultural competence while focusing on the national aspects of cultures, comparing them to their own culture.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- to take part in discussions and give logically structured talks on various professionally oriented issues, providing reasons for their opinions, and expressing themselves fluently and spontaneously without obvious searching for expressions B2+
- to understand a wide range of texts, including technical discussions in the field of International Relations and Business; identify key information in a linguistically complex text; quickly scan long, complex texts for specific information B2+; understand differences and similarities between points of view B2+
- to understand the major specialised terms associated with economics, politics and international relations
- to use language flexibly and effectively for academic and professional purposes
- to use their skills of articulating their opinions about various business issues in written form; stating and developing arguments; discussing problems and offering solutions; presenting information logically, coherently and cohesively; using signaling devices; proof–reading and editing
Course Contents
- Politics vs policy. Types of government policy (foreign, domestic, fiscal, monetary).
- Parliamentary and presidential systems of government. The separation of powers.
- Types of states. Federal and unitary states. Regional disparities in the distribution of economic resources.
- Government and taxation.
- International trade. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
- Levels of integration: free trade area, customs union, common market, monetary union, etc.
- Products
- Marketing
- Advertising
Assessment Elements
- Written assessment (WA)Written assessment includes Reading Tests, Listening Tests, Vocabulary Tests, Reports.
- Oral assessment (OA)Structured talks and presentations on a given topic.
- Student Independent Work Assessment (IWA)Independent work includes research activities, midterm oral assessment (5% for every module) as well as tasks (summaries, listening and reading exercises) that students do at home using the SMART LMS system.
- Final Assessment (FA)The exam lasts 80 minutes and consists of three parts, i.e. Listening, Reading, and Writing that weigh 30%, 30% and 40% respectively. Retaking the exam: till the 15th of October 2025. Time limit: 80 minutes online/ offline. Max. 10 points. Task types: 1. Listening (L) Listen to the recording and mark the statements T (true), F (false) or NS (Not Stated) according to the information given in the listening section./ Listen to the recording and answer the questions that follow. 2. Reading (R) Read the text and answer the questions./ Read the text and fill in the gaps with no more than 3 words from the text. / Read the text and mark the statements T (true), F (false) or NS (Not Stated) according to the information given in the reading section. 3. Writing (W) Write a report on one of the topics given. Max 10 points. Students should write a report of 150-200 words. Students have 40 minutes to complete the writing part. Grading Formula = L*0,3 + R*0,3 + W*0,4
Interim Assessment
- 2024/2025 3rd module0.3 * Final Assessment (FA) + 0.2 * Oral assessment (OA) + 0.25 * Student Independent Work Assessment (IWA) + 0.25 * Written assessment (WA)
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- English for business studies : a course for business studies and economics students: student's book, MacKenzie, I., 2010
- Newton, K., & Deth, J. W. van. (2010). Foundations of Comparative Politics : Democracies of the Modern World: Vol. 2nd ed. Cambridge eText.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Baylis, J. (DE-588)139834338, (DE-576)160207436. (2011). The globalization of world politics : an introduction to international relations / John Baylis; Steve Smith; Patricia Owens. Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.335482058