Objectives and competences
Objectives of this course are:
• know and understand a broad and complex range of vocabulary from the fields of supply chain and logistics,
• acquire skills to retrieve and report (orally or in writing) detailed and complex information from the fields of supply chain and logistics,
• develop listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills to understand and critically evaluate expert field specific information,
• further develop and enhance presentation skills,
• develop techniques and strategies for permanent self-learning.
Students will gain these competencies:
• understand and use a broad and complex range of vocabulary from the fields of supply chain and logistics,
• understand and summarise longer and complex audio and written sources from the fields of supply chain and logistics,
• orally or in writing communicate detailed and complex information from the fields of supply chain and logistics,
• prepare and execute independent and systematic presentation in English, with highlighting of significant points and discussing advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Content (Syllabus outline)
The course develops business terminology and communication in the framework of the following topics: corporate organization and governance, basic accounting and finance, fundamentals of marketing, stakeholders and processes in supply chains, customs and the role of freight forwarders in international flows of goods, transportation documents, and sustainable logistics and supply chains.
Business correspondence focuses on: writing business letters and e-mails, managing and taking part in a negotiation, managing and taking part in a business meeting, preparation and delivery of a business presentation.
Grammatical structures revised in the framework of the above mentioned topics include: direct and reported speech, conditional clauses, active and passive voice, common noun + prepositions and common verb + preposition combinations.
Learning and teaching methods
Lectures: students understand the theoretical frameworks of the course. Part of the lecture course is in a classroom while the rest is in the form of e-learning (e-lectures may be given via video-conferencing or with the help of specially designed e-material in a virtual electronic learning environment).
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
• summarise, evaluate and interpret the main ideas of longer complex written and spoken sources from the field of the supply chains and logistics,
• effectively and flexibly communicate and exchange information in discipline-specific contexts and situations,
• give a well-structured and coherent business presentation in English, with highlighting of significant points and discussing advantages and disadvantages of various options,
• autonomously and critically use business dictionaries and other field-specific resources,
• use the acquired theoretical knowledge in their studies and the business environment.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Transferable/Key skills and other attributes:
• development of skills and expertise in the use of knowledge in a specific professional working area,
• ability to become an autonomous learner,
• ability to apply information technology,
• ability to work in groups.
Readings
Brown, L. (2019). The only business writing book you'll ever need. W. W. Norton & Company.
Chapman, R. (2007). English for emails. China: Oxford University Press.
Cotton, D., Favley, D,. & Kent, S. (2011). Market leader. Upper intermediate. (3rd ed.). Pearson Education Limited.
Duckworth, M. (2003). Business grammar & practice (New ed.). Oxford University Press.
Gadsby, A. (Ed.). (2010). Longman business English dictionary. Longman.
Gutjahr, L., & Mahoney, S. (2009). English for sales & purchasing. Oxford University Press.
Lafond, C., Vine, S., & Welch, B. (2010). English for negotiating. China: Oxford University Press.
Smith, D. G. (2007). English for telephoning: express series. Oxford University Press.
Additional information on implementation and assessment • Successful presentation of a chosen topic and completion of e-quizzes is a prerequisite for entering the exam.
• Written exam 60%.
• Preparation (e-lectures) and execution (a-lectures) of a presentation on a chosen topic and other coursework and homework 40%.
