English language – Business English

Letizia Cinganotto has a degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures and a PhD in Synchronic, Diachronic and Applied Linguistics from the University of Roma Tre. She has completed masters and advanced courses in foreign language teaching, Italian L2 and digital and multimedia teaching.

She is currently a researcher at INDIRE, Territorial Branch of Rome and her research areas concern English language and translation, English language teaching, CLIL methodology (Content and Language Integrated Learning), TELL (Technology Enhanced Language Learning) and digital teaching.

She participates in numerous Working Groups and Technical-Scientific Committees at the Ministry of Education, the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the OECD.

She has published articles, essays and digital educational content, as     well as four volumes on CLIL methodology.

She has presented papers at national and international conferences in Italian and English.

The course includes the analysis of the main varieties of the English language, with particular reference to ESP (English for Specific Purposes) Business English, as well as the consolidation of grammatical structures and vocabulary and the practice of language skills in an integrated manner. The level of linguistic competence at the end of the course, with reference to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is B1.

At the same time, the course aims at the acquisition of specific business vocabulary by reading and understanding newspaper and magazine articles.

Multimedia and online digital contents will also be used for individualised learning support and reinforcement of the various linguistic and business topics covered.

There will be a special focus on the use of English in real-life situations typical of the business sector, with simulations, case studies, role plays and authentic materials.

Specifically, the course will consist of the following modules:

• Module 1 – English varieties
• Module 2 – The business world: Companies
• Module 3 – The business world: Marketing

The course will be aimed at fostering the linguistic skills in an integrated way. The level of linguistic competence, according to the Common European Framework of Reference is B1.

Together with the grammar review and consolidation, the course will introduce students to the business language (ESP: English for Specific Purposes – Business English), through the reading and analysis of articles from business papers and magazines.

The course will also make use of multimedia and digital content, aiming at enhancing the learning pathway, with reference to the linguistic and business topics analyzed.

The course will foster the use of the English language in real-like business contexts, through the use of authentic materials, case studies, role plays, simulations.

The course trains the ability to learn skills in the linguistic area by knowing the elements of grammar, syntax and vocabulary of the foreign language in a professional context, the principles of translation from and into the foreign language.

A. Knowledge and understanding: Elements of grammar, syntax and vocabulary of the foreign language in a professional context; basics of translation from and into the foreign language.

B. Applied knowledge and understanding: Use the foreign language, including the language of specialty, in specific professional contexts; use the main linguistic structures of argumentation, both for oral and written exposition.

A. Autonomy of judgement: demonstrating the ability to choose between different linguistic registers those most appropriate to the proposed professional context.

B. Communication skills: use of technically correct and effective vocabulary in a professional context; proper use of office automation tools and efficient use of the IT tools learnt; to communicate and write properly and effectively in a foreign language; written and oral knowledge of at least one foreign language of the European Union.

C. Learning ability: to develop a study method appropriate to the different fields, functional to the autonomous development of knowledge/skills (the acquisition of a study method that is not mechanical or mnemonic, but reasoned and declined with attention to concepts); ability to carry out bibliographical, data, scientific, jurisprudential and normative research; ability to consult and exploit sources in English.

DIDACTICS PROVISION

• 27 recorded video lessons available on the platform;
• 9 synchronous meetings on the platform;
• Podcasts of all the above-mentioned video lessons.

INTERACTIVE DIDACTICS

• 1 course orientation forum;
• 3 in-depth thematic forums (1 per module);
• Possibility to carry out work in groups;
• 3 structured e-activities (as described in the section “in itinere assessment methods”).

SELF-LEARNING

Teaching materials are provided for each module: in-depth thematic studies, articles and slides by the lecturer, open access readings, online resources, reference bibliography.

• Tonya Trappe, Graham Tullis, Intelligent Business – Intermediate Coursebook, Pearson Longman, 2012.
• R. MURPHY, English Grammar in Use, Cambridge University Press.

Access to the final examination is subject to the completion of the following 3 e-activities:

• 1 paper of approximately 1,000 words – module 1;
• 1 paper of approximately 1,000 words – module 2;
• 1 paper of approximately 1,000 words – module 3.

The assessment of learning will take place through an oral interview on the course contents. The grade (min 18, max 30 with possible honours) is determined by the level of performance for each of the following dimensions of the oral presentation: mastery of contents, appropriateness of definitions and theoretical references, clarity of argument, command of specialist language.

English