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English for Economics Students I

Course developer

Course abstract

The study course is aimed at the of development of students’ foreign language (English) knowledge and skills necessary for comprehending, interpreting and evaluating professional information and scientific literature, explaining and comparing processes, participating in discussions, giving presentations in professional and academic environments as well as for communication with foreign students, specialists and academic staff. The focus is on the terminology related to Economics and Entrepreneurship. The English language proficiency level corresponds at least level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for foreign languages.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge and understanding of terminology of the industry. Students know terms from the field of:
- university education, business organisations, sectors of economy (Test No 1);
- supply / demand, business cycle, bioeconomics, sustainable development (Test No 2).
Skills: students are able to define terms, select professional and scientific information, think critically, explain processes, participate in discussions applying professional terminology, communication skills and academic language skills: in written form - writing essays, business letters, summaries; orally - in discussions, dialogues, role plays, giving a presentation.
Competence of professional and academic English language in order to apply it creatively in spoken and written communication for student mobility, professional and academic activities in international environment.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Comparison of universities in Europe. 1h
2. Erasmus+ Mobility. Terminology in Economics. Online dictionaries.1h
3. Labour mobility in Europe. Reading and interpretation of professional information.1h
4. Entrepreneurship. Types of business organizations in Latvia and the UK.1h
5. Sectors of economy. Translations and definitions of terms. Creating a glossary.1h
6. Test No. 1 (Terms).1h
7. Recent news on economics from international sources. Discussion.1h
8. Supply and demand. Writing a summary.1h
9. Business cycle. Vocabulary of fiscal and monetary policy.1h
10. Keynesian economics. Terms and definitions.1h
11. Bioeconomics. Challenges of the 21st century.1h
12. Primary bioresources. Production and processing companies.1h
13. Sustainable development of natural resources.1h
14. Test No. 2 (Terms). 1h
15. Group discussion: Knowledge economy for rural and regional viability. 1h
16. Group discussion: presentations of individual work.1h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Formal Test (pass / fail).
It is made up of cumulative assessment.
Successfully written 2 tests, the glossary of terms for each topic, timely completed home works, completed individual work (reading of professional texts, a glossary of terms, a summary). Tests and home works are with a positive evaluation. The number of the missed classes shall not exceed 20%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Individual work:
1. Reading of the independently chosen professional texts (the amount: 10 000 characters);
2. Submitted glossary of terms (30 terms supplied with translations and commentaries).
3. Students are able to prepare a summary, of the chosen text, present the summary, compare facts, express ideas, make conclusions and answer the questions.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The cumulative assessment is composed of the grades in tests, home assignments, assessment during classes and a presentation of the individual work. The grade in tests is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct.

Compulsory reading

1. MacKenzie I. English for Business Studies. A course for Business Studies and Economics Students. Cambridge University Press, 2016. 191 p. ISBN 9780521743419.
2. Mascull B. Business Vocabulary in Use. Advanced. Cambridge University Press, 3rd edition, 2018. 172 p. ISBN 13978-1316628232
3. Cambridge Dictionary. Cambridge University Press. [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 14.09.2019.). Pieejams: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/
4. Rosenberg M. Business Advantage. Advanced. Cambridge University Press, 2016. 158 p. ISBN9781107637832

Further reading

1. Akadēmiskā terminu datu bāze. [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 14.09.2019.). Pieejams: http://termini.lza.lv/
2. Evans V., Dooley J., Patel K.C. Career Paths. Finance. Express Publishing, 2016. 117 p. ISBN 978-1-78098-645-6
3. Emmerson P. Business Vocabulary Builder. MacMillan, 2009. 176 p. ISBN 978-0-230-71682-7

Periodicals and other sources

1. Economy, Economics, Investment Reports. [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 14.09.2019.). Pieejams: www.economywatch.com
2. Interneta informācijas dienests (Online business information service about the EU). [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 14.09.2019.). Pieejams: www.eubusiness.com
3. Wiley interneta bibliotēka (Wiley Online Library) [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 14.09.2019.).Pieejams: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/

Notes

The study course is included in the compulsory part of the academic Bachelor’s degree programme “Economics”