ENGLISH FOR ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS I

- ENGLISH FOR ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS - Lb-Z.
This is a course for intermediate levels. Students will study the language used in the realms of economics, current trends in business, ethics and tourism, related political issues, and - very important -intercultural negotiation techniques with in-class simulations.

Students will perfect their oral and comprehension skills through textual analyses, with free comment and spontaneous debates in class, training in listening and the study of intercultural negotiation techniques,with role-play exercises and particular attention paid to the development of “cultural intelligence” in international business.

As of the academic year 2025/26, for students enrolling in the first year, it is not necessary to complete the English B1 OFA. However, a knowledge of English at the B1 level of the CEFR ((Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is strongly advised in order to be able to fake full advantage of the courser. Students who matriculated prior to this time must have completed the English B1 OFA, without which the English 1 exam cannot be registered.

Up-to-date articles on current trends in marketing, trade, business ethics, tourism and related social questions, along with matching video material. It is essential that the material be studied with particolar attention to the vocabuoary used.

Material on Moodle to be prepared before each class. Texts include the topics on the Origins of Capitalism, Corporate Social Responsibility, Neuromarketing, Branding, Cultural Intelligence,Tourism and Human Rights, and others, matched with current videos to be discovered in class. (Links provided on Moodle for the non-attending.)

The written exam consists in an essay answer on the course material, which will include not only of restitution of the facts studied, but also personal analysis or commentary.
The oral exam consists therefore either in participation in an intercultural role play during the final lesson(s) in class, or an oral in the same session as the written exam on the rest of the material of the course.
The responses will be evaluated according to the following criteria : coherence, grammatical fluency and logical structure.
Non-attending students: The program is identical, but non-attending students are strongly encouraged to meet with me for an office hour session, either online or in-person, to allow for appropriate follow-up of their work.

written and oral

Evaluation grid:
28-30L: Thorough knowledge of the topics covered in the course; capacity to restitute facts and to analyse them correctly with proper use of the vocabulary acquired.
26-27: Adequate knowledge of the topics and vocabulary covered in class and good capacity for analysis, fluid use of the English language
24-25: Incomplete knowledge of the topics covered in class, limited use of the pertinent vocabulary.
22-23: Superficial knowledge of the topics covered in class; oral expression often unclear.
18-21: Inadequte knowledge of the topics covered in class; oral expression confused and hesitant.,

Study of texts for spontaneous discussion and of documentaries for listening comprehension, analysis of socio-economic lexicology, and study of the techniques of intercultural negotiation.
The texts will be drawn from various sources according to events and the desired journalistic quality. Documentaries by renowned specialists and journalists will be projected, with prior lexical study, for comprehension, free comment and spontaneous debate. The videos can also be cited as reference in the elaboration of written work.
Some lessons may be devoted to describing trends and graphs, and to "workplace psychology", if requested.
A pillar of this course is the study of intercultural commercial negotiation techniques and "cultural intelligence". The organization of group role plays is strongly recommended. Role plays will take place during the final classes for those who choose to do them.

It is strongly advised to attend classes,since language courses require practice and steady attendance, including the “lettorato”. This practice session, held in parallel, is an essential part of course for language work in view of the final exam.

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