English for Management

The course syllabus includes the study of some essential aspects of English linguistics, also in relation to its use as lingua franca. Some theoretical issues regarding management and communication will be introduced by making specific reference to formal communication skills. The specialized register will be introduced through activities of reading/listening and video-watching comprehension of content-specific texts. Ad hoc activities and exercises will allow to use the specialized language and registers in different contexts, and to consolidate language aspects required for the B1 level (CEFR), to which the course refers. The texts and teaching material used for the course come from the textbook and from other specialized sources which will be made available on Ariel.
The syllabus is organized into 3 modules:
Module 1: English for business communication; general notions on communication, effective communication skills; some managerial contexts; registers, politeness and business etiquette; applying for a job; preparing for a job interview. Language structures: future tenses, modal verbs, courtesy formulas.
Module 2: some bases of management theory, leadership, decision making, promoting and persuading, team work, negotiating; speaking on the phone; writing memos, summarizing, writing an email; planning and organizing. Language structures and functions: first and second conditionals, speaking about the past, some passive tenses.
Module 3: Management sectors; dealing with customers/clients; management of the human resources; intercultural issues; ethics and social responsibility; a case study, preparing a presentation to inform/to persuade. Language structures and functions: speaking and writing skills.