PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH

The overall objective of this upper-intermediate course is to consolidate the B2/C1 English language skills according to the Common European Framework of Reference. Students will work on specialized English related to economics, current trends in the world of finance, relevant political issues and cross-cultural and international negotiation techniques. Techniques related to job hunting, particularly the cover letter and the competency job interview will be included.

Students will perfect their linguistic skills, both oral and written, through textual analyses with free spontaneous discussion and debate, training in listening comprehension and a voluntary role play exercise in international/intercultural negotiation, the theme chosen by the participating students.
Students will be evaluated on the knowledge and skills acquired during the course, and on the capacity to use them in an intercultural business environment. They are expected to maintain a critical mind and to defend their points of view in an eloquent manner.
Written work is to be evaluated on structure according to the guidelines provided in our professional/academic writing lessons – writing correctly with the use of balanced and syntaxically-correct sentences, and the capacity to cite sources clearly.

English language skills at the B2 level of the CEFR.

Texts taken from various sources for specialized vocabulary, and selected according to current events and the desired journalistic quality: for spontaneous discussion.
Projection of excerpts of documentaries for listening comprehension and debate.
Presentation of the techniques of professional/academic writing. .
Presentation of the techniques for describing graphs and trends, and writing thesis abstracts.
Other material pertinent to intercultural relations and negotiation techniques (emotional and cultural intelligence)..

Material uploaded on Moodle, to be prepared before class.

Validation of the course will be based on:
For all students: an essay written at home according to instructions, as studied in the Academic/Professional Writing presentation, the topic to be chosen from those proposed according to the exam date, then to be discussed at the oral exam.
For attending students:
- If desired, participation in a role-play exercise in intercultural negotiation, the topic to be chosen by common agreement among the players. Participation in the role play can then exonerate those having chosen to do it from the random oral question on the exam.
- For both non-attending students and students not having participated in a role play, after discussion of the essay, a question at random on the material covered in the course.
Non-attending students are strongly advised to make an appointment for an office hour reception - “ricevimento” - to discuss progress in following the course material. This can be done online if necessary.
The final orals will take place in presence, in respect of the anti-Covid measures.

Classes will be held in online. Eventual recordings of the lessons will be made available only to special-category students as defined by the University, upon authorization by the “carriere” office.
Classes are interactive, with free comment on the texts and documentaries studied.

English

Attendance at classes is strongly advised. A language course requires regular practice. "Ricevimenti", or office hour meetings, will be held in presence or online by previous appointment via email, schedule to be defined. Working students can request a different time if suitable.

written and oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Circular economy, innovation, work" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development