UNIcert III/2 Englisch der Wirtschaftswissenschaften - Einzelansicht

Objective: To prepare students for the UNIcert® III English for Business Studies and Economics certificate exams at the end of the course.

Prerequisites: This course requires the successful completion of any UNIcert® III/1 English course at the University of Potsdam OR a score of 80% or higher on the placement test. Any student who has successfully completed a UNIcert®III/1 in an area other than Business Studies and Economics at the University of Potsdam is welcome to register for this course, BUT is also advised to speak to the course instructor prior to course registration.

A score of 90 – 100% on the placement test ALSO qualifies a student to take the UNIcert® IV/1 English for Business Studies, Economics and Social Sciences course.

Students will receive course access information via e-mail on the evening before the course begins if the course registration has been approved.

Content and structure (Group 1, Tuesdays): This second semester of the UNIcert® III English for Business Studies and Economics course introduces students to business case study analysis, and uses this context to strengthen reading comprehension and text analysis, as well as develop analytical and critical thinking abilities, problem solving, reasoning skills, and rhetorical constructions in written and oral expression in positing solutions to business problems.

Each student will also complete independent study modules, choosing from available study materials to expand their vocabulary, strengthen their grammar knowledge and practice, and increase their language comprehension skills.

Content and structure (Group 2, Thursdays): This course focuses on reasoned debate and argumentation on a variety of current issues in the business world and in the field of economics. In the context of evaluating arguments, students will develop their listening comprehension, reading comprehension, textual analysis, critical thinking and reasoning abilities. Students will also put forth their own arguments on relevant topics, thereby strengthening their competences in oral and written expression.

This course includes a six-week Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) module, beginning the second week of the course, 26 October. During these six weeks, course meetings will take place online together with our partner group in Paris. Students will work in small groups to evaluate arguments and engage in reasoned debates on topics of their choice. This module also provides students opportunities to develop and reflect on their intercultural and virtual team-working skills. More information about the UP COIL program can be found here: https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/coilup/

Course attendance is mandatory for all groups. A student must attend 80% or more of the scheduled classes. If a student fails to meet the attendance requirement, they will not be permitted to take the certificate exams at the end of the semester.

Testing Fee: There is a one-time testing fee of 20 euros to take the series of UNIcert® certificate exams.