The primary goal of CEMS-MIMis the education and training of executives who can act successfully ina foreign context, not only in their respective mother tongue but alsoin two foreign languages. Therefore, this course aims at improving thelinguistic and cultural competence of participants to enable them toadequately represent their companies at future negotiations. As thelevel of language competence required for CEMS-MIM has been determinedto be B1 and B2 for written and oral skills, respectively, the focus ofthis course will not be placed on the teaching of cognitive skills, butrather on the improvement of active and receptive linguistic competencein a business context. By the end of the course students will havereached:

• generally improved productive and receptive language competence (spoken and written);
• improved confidence in concerning business negotiations in a foreign language;
• expertise with regard to the (corporate) culture of the relevant targetcountries as well as increased intercultural sensitivity;
• improved sensitivity towards the use of negotiation strategies.

ASSESSMENT

ORAL

*One negotiation on a previously prepared topic (in a group of ca. four students each; about 15 minutes as a whole) (This negotiation will berecorded and archived.);

* Continuous assessment of performance in negotiating practice.

WRITTEN

*Writing one report (60 min, approximately 400 words – 2 pages) on the basis of an input (background information, e.g. news paper article, expert opinion etc.): the report will encompass pros and cons of the issue discussed in the input text(s) and will serve as a basis for further negotiations during the course.

Students will be assessed on:

• linguistic competence (phonology, grammar, lexis)

• situationally adequate language use and strategies

• problem-solving expertise

• know-how concerning cultural aspects of the target countries

In order to pass the courses, students are required to achieve the following minimum levels:

Oral: B2 level in LSP (Language for Special Purposes)

Written: B1 level in LSP

The following table serves as an indication of the relation between language levels and grades awarded:

(written level & spoken level = grade)

B1 + B2 = 4

B2 + B2 = 3

C1 + B2 = 2

B2 + C1 = 2

C1 or C2 + C1 or C2 = 1

An assessment test will be conducted prior to the beginning of the semester to determine language competence.

Oral Competence: B2 level (general language)

Written Competence: B1 level (general language)

For consultation see www.wu.ac.at/roman (Erreichbarkeit > Sprechstunden Semester or Sprechstunden Ferien)