Course Overview
English is the language of international communication, the media, and the internet.
English-language skills are keys to academic and professional success in an increasingly globalized society. Learning English also provides a means to enjoy multiple cultures through film, music, literature, and travel.
This course is designed to provide students with practical skills to succeed in academia and business. Students will develop their proficiency in using oral and written language to communicate effectively. The course focuses particularly on production skills, i.e., speaking and writing.
The course should interest all students wishing to reinforce and expand their Englishlanguage skills.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course a successful student will be able to:
(i) give effective oral presentations,
(ii) participate actively in meetings, debates and discussions,
(iii) communicate clearly via email, telephone and videoconference,
(iv) write impressive job applications and succeed in job interviews.

Course Content
Giving Oral Presentations
Oral presentations as a means to communicate effectively; preparation, design and delivery; presentation language (openings & introductions, sequencers & transitions, describing visuals, summarizing & concluding, etc.); handling questions.
Participating in Meetings, Debates and Discussions
Types and purposes of group interaction; roles and responsibilities in group interactions; listening; interactive language               (interrupting, agreeing/disagreeing, expressing opinions, etc.).
Communicating via Email, Telephone and Videoconference
Email English (formal vs informal; key phrases for specific purposes); telephone conventions and language (making and taking calls, asking for and giving information, ending the call, etc.); videoconferencing – a new paradigm?
Making Job Applications
The job application process; conventional and skills-based CVs; writing an impressive CV; writing an effective cover letter; succeeding in interviews.

Instructional Method
A blended-learning approach will be used during the course consisting of online resources and in-class workshops. Online resources (videos, documents, quizzes) on a dedicated Moodle platform will provide pre-workshop preparation and post-workshop consolidation activities of course content. Workshops will involve pair and group work on task-based, discussion-based, and practical activities. Completion of online activities and full participation in workshop activities will be necessary for the achievement of the learning outcomes.

Required Course Materials
Students will need access to a computer with an internet connection.
Prospective students may find the following titles of interest:
Presentations in English (2008) Eric J Williams;
English for Meetings (2007) Kenneth Thompson;
Email English (2013) Paul Emmerson;
Cambridge English for Job-hunting (2008) Colm Downes.

Assessment
Students will be evaluated by: continuous assessment (20%), giving an oral presentation (20%), participating in a meeting (20%), writing an email (20%), and making a job application (20%).
Feedback will take the form of peer and instructor comments, and video recordings of the presentations, meetings and interviews.