ENGLISH IN THE WORKPLACE
TARGET GROUP
This training course is aimed at jobseekers (those who have a job and want to change it, as well as those without a job) who have a good command of English at the B2 level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), i.e., those who are able to express themselves clearly in spoken and written English on a wide range of topics, and explain their position on matters under discussion, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of various solutions.
TOPICS
The training course concerns issues related to functioning on the labour market in an English-speaking environment. The course aims to develop participants' language skills. The instructors emphasise aspects such as pronunciation, intonation, and correct language register. Along with the development of linguistic competencies, elements of intercultural competencies, which are necessary in an international and multicultural work environment, are introduced.
The classes will be divided into 5 thematic modules, which will be implemented sequentially:
- Recruitment
- Business meetings
- Telephoning and teleconferencing
- Public speaking in English
- English for special purposes
I. Recruitment - the module is aimed at how to read and analyse authentic English-language job advertisements with managerial and business profiles, how to write job applications using the vocabulary gathered on the basis of the above-mentioned advertisements, how to participate in job interviews (with particular emphasis on self-presentation skills and discussion of the candidate's education, professional interests, and qualifications), and how to interact and answer less common recruitment-related questions.
II. Business meetings - classes within the second module are devoted to business meetings (informational, and problem-solving with elements of brainstorming, leading to decision-making and task delegation). Exercises aim to improve communication skills and the language competences needed in order to conduct and actively participate in meetings, prepare agendas, and write minutes. Participants will conduct a working meeting and a formal meeting in groups, on a prepared topic.
III.Telephone and teleconferencing - this module aims at improving skills in telephone and video conversations. Participants' existing competencies and knowledge will be expanded to include new aspects and techniques of distance communication in a foreign language. Participants will acquire theoretical knowledge, but the main part of the course is to use acquired skills in practice through language exercises, role plays, and simulations which enable them to establish contact and initiate the subsequent stages of conversations, transmit, correct, and confirm information, master the technique of effective listening and understanding, present their positions with argumentation, take notes during the conversation, end the conversation, and manage technical difficulties occurring during the call.
IV. Public Speaking in English: Speeches and Presentations - this module provides the participants with knowledge about how to prepare for a public speech (determining the purpose and content of the speech; adapting the speech to the audience; creating an outline), how to organise the speech (parts of a speech and their composition, connectors between parts of a speech, signalling the direction of the speech), and how to present a prepared speech (verbal and non-verbal elements; effective aids (audio): slides, pictures, diagrams, videos; skilled responses to questions from the floor).
V. English for special purposes - participants will acquire knowledge about the use of English in business negotiations. The module will combine a theoretical introduction to the issue of negotiation with practical activities (simulations, case analysis, role play) aimed at developing negotiation skills.
FORMULA AND DURATION OF THE COURSE
The course duration is 50 teaching hours.
Classes in the course will be implemented in a hybrid form: part of them will be in the form of online meetings, and part as independent work with materials on the Moodle platform of FES UW entitled "Training".
Zapisy