The acquisition of language skills at C1 level (Common European Framework of Reference):

C1 will help you understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, including implicit meaning. You can express yourself spontaneously and fluently without often having to search for words clearly. You can use the language effectively and flexibly in social and professional life or in training and studies. You can produce text on complex subjects in a clear, structured and detailed manner, using various means of textual linking appropriately.

In this course, we would like to develop language skills towards C1 level in the context of economic topics.

For this purpose, I will provide materials from various textbooks with different focal points on the platform. We will also handle current news covering business and politics, as well as authentic texts and communication methods for work and used in companies.

In the course of the semester, a written and an oral preparatory course will be provided, which serves to prepare for the exam, but should also be useful for your professional future and should promote your methodical skills (soft skills). For the written part you can choose from tasks such as:

• describe a company using a SWOT analysis,

• describe and interpret a graph/statistic,

• comment on a current political or economic topic.

The oral part consists of a 10-15 minute PowerPoint-supported presentation (e.g. of a (own) start-up company).

In both fields, bringing your own ideas and suggestions are encouraged so that you can learn, research and work according to your interests.

We will integrate professional, linguistic and methodical content and learning strategies at a C1 level.

Topics throughout the academic year:

• Why do people do business?

• Economic activity based on the division of labour

• Economic activity characterized by risk (technical content: including risks in the cost-benefit analysis)

• Economic concepts of modern states

• Questions of operational practice such as 'Motivation and retention of employees', 'Sales talks - establishing trust', 'How emotions control purchasing decisions', 'Advertising', 'How to conduct a successful consultation?'

• Questions of career planning: `Ways into the profession`, career development, employee appraisal, corporate mission statements,

• Subject areas of communication: digital living environments, communication in everyday life and at work: non- and paraverbal communication, stereotypes and prejudices,

• Ecological topics: economy and environment,

• Ideas and innovations in projects, marketing and sales

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

Course books

The list of recommended textbooks can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it