Course detail

Business English

FEKT-XPC-BENAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course focuses on characteristic features of professional business communication. Students will be introduced to the LSP language in common economic and business contexts. The course develops students’ general and business vocabulary as well as grammatical structures typical for technical language. The stress is put both on the development of communication skills and the ability to use the acquired knowledge actively as part of solving case studies that cover topical events.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of English at B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Students are able to:
- use the grammatical structures according to the requirements of the given level,
- apply the knowledge of both formal and informal style in written communication,
- use the language means for the description of places and people,
- list and describe a number of free time activities and sport disciplines and discuss them in different social contexts,
- characterize different jobs and professions,
- communicate in the situations connected with travelling,
- discuss the problems of tourism,
- express their opinion on media, especially the Internet and other electronic media,
- describe essential features of the scientific and technological development and its influence on lifestyle,
- give an account of different environmental problems and explain them in different contexts.


Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Credit test – 40 points total / minimum points to meet the course requirements is 24.
1. 75% attendance
2. E-learning activities – maximum 10 points (without a required minimum of points)
3. Credit test – maximum 30 points (without a required minimum of points)

Examination – 60 points total / minimum points to meet the course requirements is 30.
1. Listening with comprehension – maximum 30 points / minimum 15 points
2. Reading with comprehension (professional text) – maximum 30 points / minimum 15 points

100 points in total (credit test and examination). The final score is calculated from the achieved number of points.

The course takes 13 weeks in the form of language exercises. 75% active participation in seminars and continuous completion of assignments are required.

Aims

The course focuses on characteristic features of professional business communication. Students will be introduced to the LSP language in common economic and business contexts, which represents:
- activation of grammatical structures typical for technical language,
- enhancing their general and business vocabulary,
- communication and presentation skills in terms of working environment,
- application of principles of business correspondence.

At the end of this course, students should be able to:
- orientate themselves in English economic terminology relating to the covered topics,
- read and understand authentic professional texts at the upper-intermediate level,
- discuss covered economic topics,
- apply gained specialized terminology in simulations of negotiations and business meetings,
- apply specialized terminology in business negotiations, presentations, communication within international teams, or business correspondence.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

JOHNSON, Christine a Irene BARRALL. Intelligent Business Upper Intermediate. Skills Book. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2006. ISBN 9780582846968.
MACKENZIE, Ian. English for business studies: a course for business studies and economics students. 3rd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010. ISBN 978-0-521-74341-9.
TRAPPE, Tonya, Graham TULLIS, Louise PILE, Susan LOWE, Christine JOHNSON a Irene BARRALL. Intelligent business: upper intermediate business English. Harlow: Pearson Education, 2006. ISBN 0-582-84809-1.

Recommended reading

HARRISON, Andrew. Business Environment in a Global Context. 2nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. ISBN 9780199672585.
HUNTER, Amie et al. Business Communication. Coursebook. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. ISBN 9780190444273 .

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPC-AMT Bachelor's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BPC-APE Bachelor's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

  • Programme BPC-AUD Bachelor's

    specialization AUDB-ZVUK , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization AUDB-TECH , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective

  • Programme BPC-BTB Bachelor's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BPC-ECT Bachelor's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BPC-IBE Bachelor's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BPC-MET Bachelor's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BPC-SEE Bachelor's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BPC-TLI Bachelor's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective

  • Programme MPC-AUD Master's

    specialization AUDM-TECH , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization AUDM-ZVUK , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective

  • Programme MPC-BIO Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-BTB Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-EAK Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-EEN Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-EKT Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-EVM Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-IBE Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-JAE Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-KAM Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-MEL Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-SVE Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-TIT Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme BPC-NCP Bachelor's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme MPC-NCP Master's 0 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Language exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

The following topics will be covered during the semester:

I Business Practice:

  1. Management
  2. Project management
  3. Company structure
  4. Recruitment
  5. Marketing
  6. Advertising
  7. Teamworking
  8. Meetings
  9. Negotiating
  10. Presentations

II Cross-Cultural Business Behaviour:

  1. Linear-active vs. multi-active vs. reactive cultures
  2. Consensus-oriented vs. result-oriented cultures 
  3. Specific vs. diffuse cultures
  4. Direct vs. indirect cultures 
  5. High uncertainty vs. low uncertainty avoidance cultures 
  6. High context vs. low context cultures 
  7. Individualist vs. collectivist cultures 
  8. Monochronic vs. synchronic cultures 
  9. Deal-focused (confrontational) vs. relationship-focused (harmonising) cultures 
  10. Style-oriented vs. substance-oriented cultures