The course aims to develop general and operational abilities in English, as well as specific abilities as concerns the topics and specialized terminology contained in the textbook and the other study materials utilized; particular emphasis is placed on students' understanding and communicative abilities. 

 We will study objectives, functions, and ways of carrying out English in the specialized context of business-economics-commerce; the communicative environment and the roles of participants will be specified. 

The language level is B2 on the CEFR scale i.e., the upper intermediate level.  

In particular, the Course will address the language of presentation, publicity and marketing, and of economic-business terminology and concepts.  Furthermore present will be aspects of social media and the digital/multimedia world, as well as reflection on the topic of the 'globalization' of languages and communication which have obliged English to function as a lingua franca at the international level.

Details on the curricular contents to be studied for the course written test and final oral exam:

The final oral exam of this course is preceded by a mandatory written test; after passing that students may attempt the last, spoken examination.                   

              The  textbook Units that students should study for the ORAL exam are divided according to the two groups present in the School of Economia: students who are following the course to earn 6 credits, or 8 credits:  

• Students of the curriculum entitled 'Marketing and Business Communication', attending to earn 6 credits (in Italian: 6cfu) , should study the following chapters/Units of the textbook Business Benchmark Upper Intermediate:   3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14.

No bridging courses (or prerequisite) courses are required.  However students' whose English is at least of the B1 level on the CEFR scale will have an easier time following lessons.

Knowledge and understanding: students will learn the most important terminology regarding the language of presentation and promotion in the field of business and advertising. Besides being familiar with the specific sector of multimedia and business, students will also study the language of “cultural diversity” and  globalization. They will acquire skills for understanding both the written and spoken language in general terms i.e., with reference to the topics studied. Students will be able to produce a written text and have a business conversation during the exam at B2 level of the Common European Framework. 
Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to read and understand written and audio material at B2 level, responding appropriately when questioned. 
Making judgements:  students will be able to use the language to interpret and analyse information both in general terms and in analysis of key points.  
Communication skills: students will learn to read and understand a variety of text types, both written and audio. They will develop writing skills for business communication and oral interaction at the B2 level.   
Learning skills:  students will be able to apply linguistic skills learned in previous courses, integrating specific lexis and structures to new content learned in their studies in the field of economics.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The learning materials organized by the instructor to supplement the official course textbook (for example slides, topic-based exercises called Dispense in Italy, other exercises and a bibliography) and the instructor's Announcements - called Avvisi in Italian - are published on the Blended Learning Moodle platform > blended.uniurb.it

Interested parties will be notified of additional activities to be conducted, again with faculty member Catherine Farwell.  The latter will hold additional teaching activities and seminars in the LL Classroom (language lab) in Palazzo Battiferri, and in classrooms. Free preparation seminars for the Cambridge Business English Certificate VANTAGE B2 exam are offered in both semesters of the academic year. In particular, it is recommended that Lin-Az graduates seriously consider these  learning support activities. By earning the BEC European Language Certificate, you can earn CFUs for your degree program and an important permanent qualification for your CV.

As stated above: through seminars and workshops offered by Catherine Farwell, it will be possible to prepare for a Cambridge BEC exam free of charge; however - to actually take the BEC exam -  interested students will have to register and pay to take a Cambridge BEC exam at one of the private exam centers in locations near Urbino (e.g. Pesaro).    UniUrb students  who prepare with Catherine Farwell will be able to benefit from the university student discount with Cambridge Exams (known as the CRUI fee).

Teaching

 Lessons will take place at the building housing the Scuola/School of Economics:  Palazzo Battiferri (save for any new anti-covid legislation that could set down alternative provision methods).

Attendance

Attendance of this course is not obbligatory but is recommended.

Course books

The official course textbook is:

• Business Benchmark - Upper Intermediate - Student's Book.   Guy Brook-Hart with David Clark /2nd Edition - BEC Edition)  B2 - Cambridge University Press - 2013.

Students who follow lessons - in person or online - do not need to purchase any of the other Business Benchmark texts in the same series.

• The instructor will post on Blended Learning (the course webpage) an exercise manual in pdf form to practice business letters.

Assessment

Written test: reading comprehension exercise with a business topic  - a business writing exercise  - a listening comprehension exercise with a business topic.

Oral exam - final portion of the course evaluation process: students will discuss  with the instructor the required Units of the couse textbook:  Business Benchmark Upper Intermediate Vantage

• Passing the written test is a prerequisite to taking the final oral portion of the evaluation process.  Once students pass the written test, their pass mark is held for 1 year.  On any exam date thereafter, students may take the oral exam.   Upon written request it is possible to take both the written and the oral portions on the same exam day; however, students should request permission to do so by email - ahead of time, please.  

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Students who have decided not to attend lessons in person or online but to study the course materials on their own (in Italian: so-called Non Frequentanti) must procure the course textbook listed above and prepare to take a written exam (Prova Scritta) and a final, oral exam (Esame Orale).

Attendance

 Non-attending students must contact the instructor a.s.a.p., to let her know that they intend to study and prepare for the written and final oral exam as non-attendees:   (email) catherine.farwell@uniurb.it

Course books

 For the name of the course textbook: please see the textbook details for attending students. 

The text is the same, as are the Units to be studied for the final evaluation process (written test on one day – followed by an oral exam on a subsequent exam date).

Assessment

 For a detailed description of the learning evaluation process please see the details above (in the section for attending students). 

The final evaluation process is the same for all students: whether attending or non-attending.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

If you are interested in extra activities in English let the instructor know.  Interested parties will be notified of additional activities to be conducted, again with faculty member Catherine Farwell.  The latter will hold additional teaching activities and seminars in the LL Classroom (language lab) in Palazzo Battiferri, and in classrooms. Free preparation seminars for the Cambridge Business English Certificate VANTAGE B2 exam are offered in both semesters of the academic year. In particular, it is recommended that Lin-Az graduates seriously consider these  learning support activities. By earning the BEC European Language Certificate, you can earn CFUs for your degree program and an important permanent qualification for your CV.

As stated above: through seminars and workshops offered by Catherine Farwell, it will be possible to prepare for a Cambridge BEC exam free of charge; however - to actually take the BEC exam -  interested students will have to register and pay to take a Cambridge BEC exam at one of the private exam centers in locations near Urbino (e.g. Pesaro).    UniUrb students  who prepare with Catherine Farwell will be able to benefit from the university student discount with Cambridge Exams (known as the CRUI fee).