The main goal of the course is to enable students to use English in their further academic studies and develop their language and communication skills in English to the B2-B2+ level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in multiple contexts, such as reading and listening comprehension, written and oral expression, communicative interaction.
Content-based language teaching implies development and upgrading of an ability to interact in English in the context of cross-cultural professional communication. This approach allows students to acquire knowledge on a range of issues related to politics, economics, and business. Contemporary topics and issues stimulate students’ minds, develop their critical thinking skills, and motivate learners to meaningfully engage with language.
In the second year, the course is aimed at preparing students for the international English language examinations. The main objective of the course is to form general competences in knowledge and skills necessary for passing the international examinations, namely linguistic, sociolinguistic and pragmatic competences. For achieving the objective students are supposed to be involved into the following language activities: reception (listening and reading), production (spoken and written), and interaction (spoken and written).
Learning Objectives
to build general and professional language and communication skills
to extend academic and subject-specific vocabulary and the grammatical range for discussing a variety of topics, such as Business and Finance, Globalisation and De-globalisation, Cultural Diversity, etc.
to increase exposure to natural fluency and pronunciation using various resources
to develop skills of target listening and extracting information from various types of texts (lectures, interviews, discussions, etc.)
to develop skills of reading comprehension; processing information from literary and informational texts in a wide variety of academic and general subjects; distinguishing between fact and opinion, and summarizing
to develop intercultural competence while focusing on the national aspects of cultures, comparing them to their own culture
to build language proficiency
to enrich academic and subject-specific vocabulary and further extend the grammatical range for discussing a variety of topics related to economics, business, and Oriental studies
to equip students with the reading and listening strategies needed for tackling information-rich texts
to improve students’ writing skills using a scaffolding approach to writing
to master speaking skills of using general, social and professional language in talks and discussions
Expected Learning Outcomes
use language flexibly and effectively for academic and professional purposes
take part in discussions and give logically structured talks on various issues, providing reasons for their opinions, and expressing themselves fluently and spontaneously without obvious searching for expressions; prepare and deliver presentations
• demonstrate proficiency in English at the B2+ level (CEFR)
• understand general and professional conversations, discussions, lectures and apply specific information from the input
• read and process information from literary and informational texts in a wide variety of academic and general subjects
• articulate their opinions about various issues in written form; state and develop arguments; discuss problems and offer solutions; present information logically, coherently and cohesively; use signaling devices; proof–read and edit
• interpret and compare data; describe charts, tables, graphs, and processes
• make a talk on a given topic and take part in a formal discussion
• familiarize themselves with different online and offline resources for further acquisition of the language for in-class activities and independent learning.
identify key information in a linguistically complex text; quickly scan long, complex texts for specific information
use properly the major specialised terms associated with economics, politics and international relations
be able to read and understand a wide range of texts, including technical discussions in the field of Politics and Business
Course Contents
English for General and Academic Purposes. 1. What makes a good communicator? Are good communicators born or made? How to give an effective presentation. Gender differences in communication.
English for General and Academic Purposes. Personal qualities important for teamwork. Group psychology and interpersonal relations.
English for General and Academic Purposes. What is culture? Aspects of a national culture. National stereotypes. Culture shock: stages, causes and ways to overcome it.
English for General and Academic Purposes.Cultural diversity. Cultural awareness. Ways to avoid cultural mistakes.
Globalisation: causes and effects. The impact of globalisation on developed and developing countries. De-globalisation and new trends in global development. Global skills and global cooperation. Global role models and the media.
English for General and Academic Purposes. Technological advances in communication. Social media and global role models.
English for General and Academic Purposes. What is the purpose of art? Architecture, literature, and cinema.
English for Economic Studies. 1. What is economics? Economics vs economy. Economic systems
English for Economic Studies. 2. Role and challenges of entrepreneurs. What is small business?
English for Economic Studies. 3. Sole Proprietorship. Limitations to the Size of Proprietorship
English for Economic Studies. 5. Corporation. Organization of Corporation. Becoming a Shareholder
English for Economic Studies. 6. Capital. Corporate Finance
English for Economic Studies. 4. Partnership
English for Economic Studies 7. Types of Securities. Stocks Basics: Introduction
English for Economic Studies. 8. Investment Banks. Securities Regulation. Stock Market
English for Economic Studies.9. Company organisation. Board of directors: role, structure, executive vs non-executive directors
English for Economic Studies. 10. Annual shareholders’ meeting: role, structure, types of voting
English for Economic Studies. Levels of management in a corporation. Areas of management: marketing, human resource, operations. Kinds of managers: administrative, public relations managers, research and development managers
English for Political Studies. 1. The language(s) of politics.
English for Political Studies. 2. What are international relations about?
English for Political Studies.2. What is a state? Territory, people and sovereignty
English for Political Studies. 3. Parliamentary and presidential systems of government. The separation of powers
English for Political Studies. 4. Types of states. Federal and unitary states
English for Political Studies. 5. The organisation of the state bureaucracy. Types of government policy (foreign, domestic, fiscal, monetary)
English for Political Studies. 6. Government and taxation
English for Political Studies. 7. International trade. Free trade vs protectionism
English for Political Studies. 8. International organisations
English for Political Studies. 9. What do diplomats do? The most influential diplomats and political leaders.
2-YEAR. English for General and Academic Purposes. 1. Higher education. Studying at university
English for General and Academic Purposes. 2. Success and personal development. Ambition and assertiveness.
English for General and Academic Purposes. 3. Science and Technology. Information-oriented society and the modern lifestyle.
English for General and Academic Purposes. 4. Social Issues: their causes and solutions. Urban sprawl and traffic congestion. Law and order. Juvenile crime.
English for Economic Studies. 1. Management
English for Economic Studies. 2. Work and Motivation
English for Economic Studies. 3. Managing Across Cultures
English for Economic Studies. 4. Products
English for Economic Studies. 5. Marketing
English for Economic Studies. 6. Advertising
English for Economic Studies. 7. Writing Exam Skills
Assessment Elements
Speaking 2-Year
During the course students are to make several talks on the given topics to demonstrate their speaking skills and mastery of vocabulary and grammar.
ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION
Class attendance is compulsory for everyone taking the course. As a measure of engagement with the course, it is very important for learning.
Active participation in group discussions and in-class assignments is required at every class and will be evaluated according to the criteria (see below). Students are to prepare for every class and to be active in class discussions.
Writing 1-Year
During classes, ongoing written reading and listening tests and vocabulary and grammar quizzes will assess students’ mastery of vocabulary and grammar structures, their knowledge of particular terminology as well as their reading and listening skills. It is up to the instructor to decide whether to give a quiz or not; students may not be warned about it in advance
Revision Tests 1-Year
Revision Tasks are taken at the end of each Module and include reading, listening and vocabulary tests.
Exam 1-Year Summer
Students take an exam at the end of each semester in their first year of studies. Both exams include writing and speaking.
Exam consists of reading, listening, and vocabulary tests (Exam Writing) and speaking tasks on the topics studied during the semester (Exam Speaking).
Revision Tests 2-Year
Revision Tasks are taken at the end of each module and include reading and listening tests and essays. The REVISION TESTS GRADE is the average of the grades for the tests taken at the end of each module.
ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION
Class attendance is compulsory for everyone taking the course. As a measure of engagement with the course, it is very important for learning.
Active participation in group discussions and in-class assignments is required at every class and will be evaluated according to the criteria (see below). Students are to prepare for every class and to be active in class discussions.
Speaking 1-Year
During the term students are to make several talks on the given topics to demonstrate their speaking skills and mastery of vocabulary and grammar
Writing 2-Year
During classes, ongoing written reading and listening tests, vocabulary and grammar quizzes and essays will assess students’ mastery of vocabulary and grammar structures, their knowledge of particular terminology as well as their reading, listening and writing skills. It is up to the instructor to decide whether to give a quiz or not; students may not be warned about it in advance.
Exam 1-Year Winter
Students take an exam at the end of each semester in their first year of studies. Both exams include writing and speaking.
Exam consists of reading, listening, and vocabulary tests (Exam Writing) and speaking tasks on the topics studied during the semester (Exam Speaking).
Exam 2-Year
At the end of Module 3 students take an exam in Speaking. The goals of the speaking exam are to gauge the fluency and pronunciation skills of the student, as well as their grammatical, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.
English for business studies : a course for business studies and economics students: student's book, MacKenzie, I., 2010
The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Edited by Carles Boix and Susan C. Stokes. Oxford University Press, 2009.
Якушева, И. В. Английский язык (B1). Introduction Into Professional English : учебник и практикум для вузов / И. В. Якушева, О. А. Демченкова. — 3-е изд., испр. и доп. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2021. — 148 с. — (Высшее образование). — ISBN 978-5-534-07026-2. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/470011 (дата обращения: 04.07.2025).
Recommended Additional Bibliography
Иванова, О. А. English Grammar in use : учебно-методическое пособие / О. А. Иванова. — 2-е изд. — Москва : ФЛИНТА, 2016. — 142 с. — ISBN 978-5-9765-2712-6. — Текст : электронный // Лань : электронно-библиотечная система. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/83785 (дата обращения: 00.00.0000). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.
Преподаватели
Багринцева Наталья Валерьевна
Васильева Евгения Алексеевна
Гаврилина Анастасия Германовна
Тулум Андрей Сергеевич
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Learning Objectives
Expected Learning Outcomes
Course Contents
Assessment Elements
Interim Assessment
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
Recommended Additional Bibliography
Authors