LV EN RU DE FR

Professional English II

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Valo1061, Professional English I

Replaced course

ValoP278 [GVALP278] Professional English II

Course abstract

The study course is aimed at the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the foreign language studies implementing student’s centered studies with the purpose of extending students’ professional qualification and improving communication skills with foreign students, specialists and in the academic environment. The course envisages the mastering of the English language skills in various forms and levels focusing on the terminology of
Tourism, Transport, Hospitality and Catering.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge of terminology of the industry. Students know terms from the field of:
- tourism industry, kinds of tourism, resources; tourism activities and tendencies; transport in tourism; tourism operators, services provided, communication with customers (Test No 1);
- innovations in the 21 st century tourism, tourism motivations; travelling, travel agencies; niche tourism; services provided in the tourism industry; professional career; aspects of cross-cultural communication (Test No 2).
Knowledge of English academic language use:
the prepared report on the results of a course project.
Skills to apply professional terminology and communicative skills: in writing essays, business letters; orally in discussions, dialogues, role plays, giving a presentation, making presentation of the research results, participating in the scientific discussion on the research results.
Competence of professional foreign language in order to apply English creatively in spoken and written communication for professional and research activities, student mobility and in academ

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction to the tourism industry, elements of tourism. The importance of tourism industry in the economy.2h
2. Types of transport. Related terminology. Water transport, cruise ship. Air transport, airport – facilities and services. Top airports in the world.2h
3. Basic forms of tourism – domestic, inbound, outbound. 2h
4. Domestic tourism, tourism in Latvia.2h
5. Students presentation, discussion.2h
6. Kinds of tourism, resources - natural, historical, cultural resources.2h
7. Tour operators. Mass market tour operators. Designing of “package tour”, “inclusive tour”. (Test No 1). 2h
8. Work and career in the tourism industry. Holiday representative. Types of reps and their job descriptions.2h
9. Tourism types / forms according to motivations. The 21st century trends in tourism.2h
10. Niche tourism versus mass tourism. Food / culinary tourism. 2h
11. Students project presentations, discussion. 2h
12. Travel agencies, their everyday duties and responsibilities. Tourists information centre, everyday duties and responsibilities. Communication with the customer.2h
13. Cultural awareness. Aspects of cross-cultural communication. (Test No2).2h
14. World’s geographical regions. European Union, its definition, regions, member states, countries, nationalities.2h
15. The World Tourism Organization, its function, members, and activities. Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. 2h
16. Students presentations, discussion.2h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Examination.
The examination consists of:
a terminology test,
a presentation.
A student is admitted to the examination if there are: successfully written 2 tests, the glossary of terms for each topic, timely completed home works, completed individual work (reading of professional texts, presentation on a selected topic, the glossary of terms, a report). 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: 15,000 printed marks);
2. Prepared PPoint presentation and oral presentation (7-10 minutes) in front of the class;
3. Submitted glossary of terms (30 terms, 30 translations, 20 definitions).
Students are able to prepare a summary of the chosen text, present the summary, compare facts, express ideas, make conclusions and answer the questions, have a scientific discussion on the research results.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The examination grade is calculated as an arithmetic mean of grades obtained in two examination tasks. The grade in the terminology test is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct.

Compulsory reading

1.Stott T., Pohl A. Highly Recommended 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. 111 p. ISBN 978-019-457463 -1
2.Evans V., Dooley J., Garza V. Hotels & Catering. Express Publishing, 2018. 130 p. ISBN 978-0-85777-608-2
3.Walker R., Harding K. Tourism 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. 143 p. ISBN 978-019-455103 -8. 4.Walker R., Harding K. Tourism 2. Oxford: Oxford: University Press, 2009. 143 p. ISBN 978-019-455103 -8.

Further reading

1.Gairns R., Redman S. Oxford Word Skills. Intermediate. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. 254 p. ISBN 978 -019-462004 8.
2.Pētersons R., Plinta R. Angļu – latviešu tūrisma terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca. Rīga: Apgāds “Daugava”, 2002. 300 lpp. ISBN 9984-741-02-08.
3.Tūrisma un viesmīlības terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca. Rīga: LR Ekonomikas ministrija, 2008. 460 lpp. ISBN 978-9984-9370-8-3.

Periodicals and other sources

1.Pasaules tūrisma organizācija [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 1.06.2020.] Pieejams: https://www.unwto.org/
2.Tūrisma informācija [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 1.06.2020.] Pieejams: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ ; http://www.elitetravelandtours.com/ ,
3.Viesnīcu rezervēšana [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 1.06.2020.] Pieejams: https://www.booking.com/
4. Restorānu un viesmīlības jomas apskate, kritika, analīze. Michelin zvaigžņu restorāni, to vēsture un attīstība. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 1.06.2020.] Pieejams: https://www.andyhayler.com/

Notes

The study course is included in the compulsory part of the study programme.