Business Communication II (WIKO II)

Course Description and Teaching Goals

This course aims to further develop students' knowledge of Business French, building on what was taught in Business Communication I. Students will learn more linguistic skills for both written and spoken communcation in the French world of work. The operational communication in a firm is conveyed alongside necessary knowledge about France as a country, as well as insights into its culture. 

Another objective is the profound understanding of advanced texts dealing with the current economic situation in franco-phone world. Furthermore students will expand their lexical and grammatical knowledge, as well as work on improving their spoken expression.

Aim

Language Level B1+/B2 according to GERS/CEFR (specialised language/business)

Contents

  • Selling products and services
  • Working abroad
  • Participating in work events
  • Organizing cooperations
  • Participating in brainstorming events, work meetings and seminars
  • HR administration
  • Talking about your contract of employment
  • Setting goals, career talks
  • Understanding current news relating to economics
  • Giving a presentation about a topic from the field of economics 

Grammar

  • Use of indicatif and subjonctif (phrases, relative clauses, conjunctions)
  • Conditionnel passé
  • Present participle and verbal adjectives
  • Conditionals and hypothesis (present/past tense)
  • Conjunctions
  • Logical connections: opposites and restrictions
  • Connectors
  • Prepositions (synthesis)
  • Simple and compound relative pronouns
  • Pronouns (function and order)
  • Demonstrative pronouns
  • Adverbs
  • Nominalisation

Method

The method is communicative, interactive and practical: simulations, role-playing, case studies, presentations, as well as group discussions, are integrated into the course work. Grammar is taught in context. Throughout the semester students will work with a variety of authentic material, such as articles, interviews and videos. 

Literature

  • Objectif Express 2,Le monde professionnel en français, B1/B2.1, Nouvelle édition, Anne-Lyse Dubois, Béatrice Tauzin, Hachette FLE
  • Objectif Express 2, Nouvelle édition, Cahier d’activités, Béatrice Tauzin
    Anne-Lyse Dubois, Séverine Izquierdo-Quilichini, Sylvie Peltier, Hachette FLE
  • Material handed out during the lecture/made available on moodle 
  • Further reading:
    • Grammaire progressive du français - Niveau avancé (B1/B2) - Livre + CD + Appli-web - 3ème édition, Michèle Boulares, Jean-Louis Frerot, Cle International