Form of evaluation: Test (at least 60% for a pass).

Objectives: To develop student individual skills of reading and understanding specialised business texts. To revise the existing student vocabulary and expand it, as well as further develop their skill of accurately using it in written and oral business communication; in an integrated manner, to improve student skills of general English language use. To encourage students to critically evaluate the current micro and macro economic data against theoretical sources. To work on developing student business correspondence skills.

Organization mode of students` individual assignment:

Classes and individual (home) assignments, also using Moodle platform. Types of assignments:

-reading specialized texts individually and in groups, identifying and understanding key idea/s and special vocabulary and language use;

-information mining from mass media in English and Latvian, and its summarising and analysis in the group;

-acquisition of special vocabulary, terminology and language use: exercises and mid-term tests;

-audio and video materials, their perception and analysis, including the language use and vocabulary;

-individual and group work: data gathering, presentations, discussions, voicing and supporting their ideas/ viewpoint;

-short individual presentations combined with unprepared speech;

-analytical essays (home, class) on covered topics, using special vocabulary and terminology;

data and information analysis (e.g., company performance, foreign exchange markets, annual reports, securities, taxes).

Course outline:

1. Accounting and financial statements. (8 hrs) Principles of accounting and book-keeping. Financial indicators. Balance sheet, its strucure. Annual report. Other financial documents.

2. Banks and banking. (8 hrs) Bank system. Role and functions of the World bank,European Central Bank, State bank. Types of banks, their services for companies and individuals.

3. The role of government in economy. (6 hrs) The role of government in company business. Taxation. The problem of shadow economy.

4. Company development in modern competition. ( 6 hrs) Types of securities and their uses. Company mergers and takeovers.

5.English for business communication skills. (4 hrs)

Course description_Business English III.pdfCourse description_Business English III.pdf