Course detail

English for Europe

FIT-AEUAcad. year: 2024/2025

The course is focused on the development of the students' verbal and written communication skills and their further professional application within the wider framework of both Czech and European job markets. The central elements of the course consist in practising communication in the European cultural, business and legal environment and activities designed to describe and question European cultures in comparison with the Czech Republic (considering the Euro-American cultural context into account). The course provides the overview of the European Union institutions and their functions and presents the English language as the universal tool providing access to education and jobs to the Czech and Moravian university graduates. The coursework is based on the interpretation of written and audio-visual sources, discussion and personal opinion presentation. 

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

PhDr. Milan Smutný, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Foreign Languages (UJAZ)

Entry knowledge

The course knowledge required corresponds with the standards of the intermediate level course.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Active participation in seminars (75%), credit: semester test (min. 24, max. 40, semester test may be repeatedonly once), exam (min. 30, max. 60). 

The content and forms of  instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year. 

Aims

Vocabulary development and practising the general ability to work with language Encouraging the students to communicate actively. Further broadening of European horizons. Teaching the techniques of writing.

The ability to find one's way in the European (and world) cultural and professional environment. The ability to use English in a wide range of everyday situations. The knowledge of various writing techniques. Improved ability to understand spoken English. 

The student is able to

  • describe EU institutions and knows the basic facts about their functioning
  • understands the relationships of the Euro-American cultural context
  • explains and describes the structure of a firm and its functioning, introduces its products and services to potential business partners
  • prepares documents connected with the job application procedures
  • is prepared for different situations connected with the job interview
  • responds adequately in problem solving (professional communication)
  • makes basic formal documents
  • discusses the problems of the legal system and environment
  • compares cultural environment of different countries and understands cultural differences

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended literature

SWAN, Michael. Practical English usage. Fourth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, [2017]. ISBN 978-0-19-420243-5.
Ashley, A. (2003) Oxford Handbook of Commercial Correspondence. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (CS)
Kocmanová, M. and Pokorná, Z. (2004) Euro English. Praha: Ostrov. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, elective

  • Programme MITAI Master's

    specialization NGRI , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NADE , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NISD , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NMAT , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NSEC , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NISY up to 2020/21 , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NNET , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NMAL , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NCPS , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NHPC , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NVER , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NIDE , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NISY , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NEMB , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NSPE , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NEMB , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NBIO , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NSEN , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NVIZ , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Language exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

PhDr. Milan Smutný, Ph.D.

Syllabus

EU - information about the history of EU and functioning of its institutions
How to prepare a successful presentation
Professional communication, introducing a company, the structure of a company
Cultural differences, intercultural communication
Science and technology
Jobs
Law, crime, justice, legal proceedings
Schools and education
Euro-American culture