Course code Valo2027
Credit points 3
Total Hours in Course81
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32
Independent study hours49
Date of course confirmation18.03.2014
Responsible UnitLanguage Centre
Dr. philol.
Valo1024, English in External Relations I
The study course is aimed at the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the foreign language 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 social sciences, economics, entrepreneurship, politics.
Knowledge of terminology of the industry. Students know terms from the field of:
- university education, business organisations, companies (Test No 1);
- labour market, job advertisements, business activities, retailing, banking, marketing, advertising (Test No 2).
Skills to apply professional terminology and communicative skills: in writing essays, business letters; orally in discussions, dialogues, role plays, giving a presentation.
Competence of professional foreign language in order to apply English creatively in spoken and written communication for professional activities, student mobility and in academic environment.
1. Labour market. The language of job advertisements. Terms: recruitment, remuneration.
2. Skills necessary for external relations. CV and the letter of application in the EU.
3. Applying for a job. Getting ready for a job interview. Creating a glossary of terms for each topic.
4. Companies and organizations. Types of business organizations, their comparison.
5. Company Structure. Startups.
6. Test No. 1. Tips for presentations. Phrases used in presentations.
7. Management styles in different countries. Corporate culture.
8. Analysis of corporate websites. Essay.
9. Banking. Money and loans. Bank services.
10. Setting up a business. Developing a business plan.
11. SWOT analysis. The role play "Taking a loan".
12. Retailing. Description of a retailing company. The layout of shops.
13. Agricultural industry. Entrepreneurship in agriculture. Domestic producers.
14. Test No. 2. Agriculture in Latvia and EU agricultural policy.
15. Revisions. Getting ready for presentations.
16. Students’ presentations.
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, presentation on a selected topic, the glossary of terms). Tests and home works are with a positive evaluation. The number of the missed classes shall not exceed 20%.
Individual work:
1. Reading of the independently chosen professional texts (the amount: 10 000 characters);
2. Prepared PPoint presentation and oral presentation (5-10 minutes) in front of the class;
3. Submitted glossary of terms (30 terms, 30 translations, 20 definitions).
The cumulative assessment (pass / fail) 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.
1.Ceramella N., Lee E. Cambridge English for the Media. 2010. Cambridge University Press. 112 lpp. ISBN 9780521724579
2. Mascull, B. (2008) Business Vocabulary in Use. Cambridge University Press. 172 lpp. ISBN 9780521775298
3. Mascull, B. (2008) Business Vocabulary in Use. Cambridge University Press. 172 lpp. ISBN 9780521775298
4. Allison, J., Emmerson,P. (2009) The Business. Intermediate. Student’s Book. MacMillan. 159 lpp. ISBN 9781405081856
1. Pile, L. (2006) Intelligent Business. Workbook. Intermediate Business English. Pearson Education Limited. 94 lpp. ISBN-10 058284691
2.Glossary of European Union terminology. English - French - Latvian. 2009. R:T&TC. 247 lpp
3.McCarthy M., O'Dell F. English Vocabulary in Use. Upper-Intermediate. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.2011. 309 lpp. ISBN978052167743
1. Economy, Economics, Investment Reports. [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 14.11.2018.). Pieejams: www.economywatch.com
2. Interneta informācijas dienests (Online business information service about the EU). [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 14.11.2018.). Pieejams: www.eubusiness.com
3. Sabiedriskais medijs (Apvienotā karaliste) “British Broadcasting Corporation” [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 14.11.2018.). Pieejams: https://www.bbc.com/news/business
The study course is included in the compulsory part of the professional Bachelor’s degree programme “External Relations of Organizations”