Developing Intercultural Communicative Competence

Garant předmětu:

Lecturer:

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Institute of Management Studies

Synopsis:

The seminar will focus on the importance of accuracy and comprehension in communication in a foreign language, and highlight cultural differences influencing communication, and examine the role of language means in intercultural negotiations.

Outline of the subject:

. Approaches to culture

. Cultural and language context in communication

. Intercultural theories and their influence on behaviour and language expression

. International English as lingua franca

. The most common mistakes as a cause of misunderstanding

. Language practice and activities

. Case studies on individual topics

Language level: CEFR B2

Requirements:

•Active participation

•Presentation – each student must choose one presentation (two students may share one presentation) from the available topics. The presentation should be about 15 – 20 minutes long, it should summarise the topic of the text and if possible asses the arguments for and against the case being made. The presentation should end with some questions for class discussion.

•Final in-class essay on a topic from a list.

The same requirements also apply to students who participate in professional internships in companies during the semester. Attendance is excused during the internship.

Syllabus of lectures:

Syllabus of tutorials:

1.) Introduction, multiculturality; intercultural theories

2.) What is culture? Understanding myself, my cultural values; Cultural and language context in communication

3.) Barriers to communication. Cultural stereotypes

4.) Dealing with difference

5.) Cultural dimensions

6.) Non-verbal communication

7.) Communication styles and strategies

8.) International English as a lingua franca

9.) What language mistakes lead to misunderstanding and how to avoid them

10.) Management. Intercultural communicative competence - speaking clearly

11.) Negotiating. Intercultural communicative competence - listening effectively

12.) International teamwork. Miscommunication

13.) Sociology of Food.

14.) Global(ised) university

Study Objective:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

. explain basic terms and concepts of intercultural communication

. know the different components of intercultural communication

. define personal cultural values and attitudes

. express suitably their ideas and opinions

. realise and minimise language and cultural barriers

. give their English more accuracy in terms of grammar, lexis and functional language

. analyse and understand critical incidents from the intercultural communication perspective

Study materials:

Compulsory:

. Gibson R.: Intercultural Business Communication, OUP, ISBN 978-0-19-442180-5

. Murphy, R.: English Grammar In Use, ISBN 9780521532891

Recommended:

. Schmidt, P.: In Search of Intercultural Understanding, 2007, Vienna: Meridian World Press, ISBN:

. Lewis, R.: When cultures collide, 2005, London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing, ISBN 978-1-90483802-9

. Mackenzie, I:English for Business Communication, 1997, CUP

. Jones, L.: Working In English, ISBN 9780521776844

. Hancock, M.: English Pronunciation In Use, ISBN 9780521687522

Note:

Further information:

No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• N-PRI-prez.forma od 10/11 (compulsory elective course)
• N-RRP-prez.forma od 10/11 (compulsory elective course)
• N-PRI-prez.forma od 11/12 (compulsory elective course)
• N-RRP-prez.forma od 11/12 (compulsory elective course)
• N-PRI-prez.forma od 12/13 (compulsory elective course)
• N-RRP-prez.forma od 12/13 (compulsory elective course)
• N-PRI-prez.forma od 13/14 (compulsory elective course)
• N-RRP-prez.forma od 13/14 (compulsory elective course)
• N-PRI-prez. forma od 14/15 (compulsory elective course)
• N-RRP-prez. forma od 14/15 (compulsory elective course)