Course details
Business English
XPC-BEN FEKT XPC-BEN Acad. year 2025/2026 Summer semester 3 credits
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.
Guarantor
Language of instruction
Completion
Time span
- 26 hrs exercises
Department
Learning objectives
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.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Knowledge of English at B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Completion of the subject Practical English 2.
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,
- disccuss 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.
Study literature
- MASCULL, Bill. Business vocabulary in use: self-study and classroom use : advanced. Third edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017. ISBN 978-1-316-62823-2.
- TRAPPE, Tonya a Graham TULIS. Intelligent Business Upper Intermediate. Style Guide. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2006. ISBN 0582848091.
- HUNTER, Amie et al. Business Communication. Coursebook. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. ISBN 9780190444273 .
- HARRISON, Andrew. Business Environment in a Global Context. 2nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. ISBN 9780199672585.
Fundamental literature
- 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.
- 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.
Progress assessment
Assessment
Credit test – 40 point 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 ponits 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 content and forms of instruction in the course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.
The course takes over 13 weeks in the form of language exercises. 75% active participation in seminars is required. Absence must be properly apologized. If the absence exceeds 75%, missed classes must be compensated by students.
Course inclusion in study plans
- Programme BIT, 1st year of study, Elective
- Programme BIT (in English), 1st year of study, Elective